"Started exploring this trail from the south at Townshend Dam off Rt.30. This trail is a mix of footpath and rail trail. You have to descend via some great stone steps at the dam to the old Rt. 30 which I assume is the old RR, but can not get to East Jamaica on Mt. bikes. The first half is a tared road and they are putting in a bridge as I write this to cross a small stream and follow the old RR North to East Jamaica. We next went to Ball Mt. Dam on the advice of a worker on the bridge because you have to pay to access the trail from Jamaica State Park. also it is down hill from the dam to the park. Just before the dam is a parking area and it is tared down under the spill way. the Rail trail starts on the east side of the dam and is marked footpath and the switch backs down the dam are sharp and should be walked unless you are in control descending. For about the next 1/2 mile you descend on a very rocky trail and should walk if you are like me unsure of your skill. It then flattens out and is really great riding all the way to Jamaica State Park. I road south from here for about 1/2 mile and the trail started to deteriorate as a previous biker said and turned around. Next we returned to Ball Mt. Dam and looked for the trail and found it thru a small opening in a guard rail at the parking area. After about 200 ft. of single track it opened up and looked like good riding. we found the first blazing here with small signs. they are a violet color and it is blazed up to where you return to the rail trail in about 2 miles. Trail conditions are hiking quality only and I walked my bike thru although my companion who is a better rider than me road a lot of it except the short steep uphills. I would advise you to skip this and go to Winhall camp ground and bike both south and north along the river to do this section. The trail has a lot of potential and is very scenic and is very remote. If it was finish all the way to Brattleboro it would be a great off road alternative to Rt. 30 & 100. "

"I first tried to access the trail in South Londonderry fron West River Road. When I passed the old junkyard I came upon piles of trash on both sides of the road and a ""keep out"" sign on the road. I felt like I was on tobacco road so I turned around and left.

I next tried the Winhall campground but it was closed for the season (it was Oct. 20th) and there didn't appear to be any place to park. I next tried Jamaica State Park and it too was closed. Across the street was what looked like a continuation of the rail trail. It would be nice if there was some sort of sign.

I rode down this trail and it was beautiful for about a mile except for the trees across the trail. After about a mile it turned into a tangle of underbrush so I turned around. When I got back there were a lot of cars parked around the entrance to the State park so I decided it must be OK to go into the park.

The two miles of trail in the park is the most scenic rail trail I've ever seen. The rail trail ends at a dam but there is a trail that continues up the side of the dam. My partner on the ride was not up to pushing her bike up a 300 foot dam so we turned back.

I would have liked to do more of the trail but it's hard to get to and when you do find something that looks like a trail there's no trail signs or markers to give you the warm feeling that you're not going to get shot for trespassing. "

Great rail bed trail. Easy grade. Kids all enjoyed the ride & views. Bring fishing gear or a picnic lunch. There are many foot trails off the main trail for the adventurous.