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Print Friendly MapThe South Manchester Rail Trail is a developing bike/pedestrian path that currently runs through the City of Manchester's southeast neighborhoods to the border with the Town of Londonderry. The rail-trail utilizes the Right-of-Way (ROW) of the abandoned Boston and Maine Railroad.
Currently stretching 1.5 miles between South Beech Street and Perimeter Road, the South Manchester Rail Trail is paved and 10ft wide. Heading south from South Beech Street, the rail-trail links to Precourt Park/Nutts Pond recreational area and provides access points from the local neighborhood side streets. The southern end is on Perimeter Road at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. On the other side of the airport, the Londonderry Rail Trail meanders 4.5 miles south.
This completed section of the South Manchester Rail Trail is referred to as the Nutts Pond Segment and is generally residential/wooded in nature.There are plans to extend the trail north from South Beech Street to Manchester's Heritage Trail and Riverwalk, but this section has not yet been designed. This connection would provide a link to the Piscataquog Trail, which crosses the river and stretches northeast to the Goffstown Rail Trail.
The South Manchester Rail Trail serves the surrounding communities as a safe accessible link to businesses, parks, ponds, brooks, and other amenities.
Parking is available mid-route at Precourt Park (on Driving Park Rd, off of South Willow St).
Manchester Transit (MTA) provides access to the trail via multiple bus stops along the route.
Visit the TrailLink map for all transit options and detailed directions.
I live in the area & have walked my dog using the section from S. Beech to Gold Street for years. A new section from Gold to Perimeter Road is finally completed as well. I can't wait to try the new section in the summer when I can ride my bike or rollerblade.
For several years, I have taken my dogs for a walk/run on this trail. Other than being in the path of the airport, with planes flying overhead, it was a quiet and wonderful place. Wild life and beautiful flowers were very much enjoyed. The last 6 months, has made me seek other places to walk/run my dogs. There are homeless camps, trash, and graffiti everywhere. I wish this short trail were better maintained by the City
I walked this trail before it was paved. It's always been a nice walk by nutts pond. Easy access to the shopping area of south willow street. But as the other guy said its only a portion of what it could be.
Also known as the South Manchester Rail Trail, this is the former Manchester & Lawrence Railroad bed - only part of route from downtown Manchester towards airport was ever completed. They keep talking about making it a bike path to the airport, but little progress has been made and it has become a dumping ground and Graffiti ridden path, littered with trash though concerned citizens hold annual cleanups. Extending it to Perimeter road on the south end would make it worth riding just to watch plane departures and arrivals. On the northern end, extension is blocked by Queen City Ave which is fenced on both sides. it will require a pedestrian bridge over that main thoroughfare, and then it could be completed to the former B&M Railyards where connection could be made with Manchester's River Walk, by the Fisher Cat's Ballpark, and the Piscataquog River Trail which goes across the Merrimack River on a former rail trestle, and will soon connect with the Goffstown Rail trail. This would be a great trail to complete
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