Rockingham Recreational Trail:
New Hampshire
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Description:
New Hampshire's largest city, Manchester, boasts relatively quick access to one of the state's longest rail-trails: the 26.5-mile Rockingham Recreational Trail (a.k.a. Portsmouth Branch). The rustic trail is rich in railroad structures left over from a time when the extensive Boston & Maine Railroad network flourished with the growth of New England mill towns. The Rockingham Recreational Trail follows the Portsmouth Branch. Hurt by the mid-20th-century decline in local manufacturing, the railroad faltered, and in 1988, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation purchased the Portsmouth Branch for conversion into a rail-trail.

The western trailhead is at Tarrytown Road in Manchester and much of the trail stretches through hardwood and conifer forests. In many places, standing water and bogs on both sides of the rail bed provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Bring insect repellent if you're on the trail between late spring and fall. If you're here when the snow flies, call out thanks to a passing snowmobiler: as with most trails in New Hampshire, the maintenance of this trail is taken on by local snowmobile clubs.

About 6.5 miles east of Tarrytown Road you'll encounter a narrow culvert beneath a road, with limited overhead clearance; consider dismounting and walking your bike. In East Candia, a historical marker denotes the site of the demolished railroad depot. From this point, the trail again plunges into secluded woodland.

The rail bed rises above the forest floor at points, while other stretches thread through high-walled cuts blasted through New Hampshire's famous granite during the railroad's construction. In Raymond, the local historical society has restored the train station. You can't miss the locomotive, caboose, boxcar and work car on a siding between the trail and the station. Just beyond town, you'll cross an impressive railroad bridge and return to the wooded setting that typifies most of the route. The Newfields railroad depot marks the trail's eastern end.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Massabesic Lake trailhead from Manchester, take State Route 101 north and east, then take Bypass 28 south. After passing through a rotary, look for the Massabesic Lake boat launch on the left. The trailhead is at the boat launch.

To reach the trailhead in Newfields from the junction of state routes 108 and 85, head north on 108, cross the active rail line and take the first left on Ash Swamp Road. Go to the end of the road and park at the old depot (do not park near the active rail line).

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Seasonal Restrictions:
None
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Reviews: [3 trail ratings]
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Please explain
By underdog19 in November, 2011
On 11/18/11 I went to the Rockingham Recreational Trail, the entrance located in Newfields, off of Ash Swamp Rd. Upon arrival there are two signs indicating that ATVs are not allowed on the trail. However, on the TrailLink.com web page, off to the right, in a box marked Trail Facts, sub heading Trail activities, it indicates that ATVs are permitted on the trail. Can anyone tell me for certain if ATVs are allowed on the Rockingham Recreational Trail?
Great Trail
By usnret492 in October, 2011
My wife and I rode the length of the trail from Newfields, trail head (parking at the old depot parking area) to Manchester, NH Saturday 10/24/2011, stayed the night in Manchester, and returned on the trail back to Newfields Sunday. The trail was excellent, not the best we've been on but far from the worst. The countryside was beautiful going through marsh land, by ponds, and through the woods. The trail surface is good but there are periodic clumps of rock heads sticking up in the trail and at this time of year with a lot of pine straw and fallen leaves covering them you need to be a bit careful. The towns of Epping and Raymond gave nice breakpoints with opportunities to eat. If you plan to do like we did and stay in Manchester plan on about an additional 4 mile ride through the city streets to get to lodging which seems to be centrally located around the very busy South Willow Street and the mall area. There isn't any lodging nearby the trailhead. Our hotel operated a courtesy shuttle and since there were no airport runs when we were leaving Sunday morning, the driver gladly gave us a ride to the trailhead with room enough for our two bikes in the back of the van. Given the early morning cold and the fact that the ride back was pretty steadily uphill just to get to the trailhead, the shuttle was much appreciated. All in all, we had a great weekend and the trail again is excellent.
Great trail
By joeypete in September, 2011
This is one of only a couple trails I have been on in NH so far and I had a wonderful time. Very scenic and quite peaceful, it is a perfect trail for mountain bikes. It can be rough in some places but I did see a few people on regular street bikes so they must do well. I wouldn't call it "challenging" per se but it's definitely a good workout if that's what you are looking for. Even on a Saturday i was surprised at how few people I saw on the trail. Kind of nice that way but make sure to bring a cell phone in case you need help.
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