Explore the best rated trails in Bretton Woods, NH, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Conway Branch and Mountain Division Trail . With more than 31 trails covering 417 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Great ride! Plenty of parking at both ends. As noted in earlier reviews, it is not a rail trail, being hilly with some steep pitches. As an out-and-back it's over 1,500' in elevation gain (easier from north to south if you do it only one way).
Our plan was to start in Morrissville and camp at Elmore Campground. Park the car in Morrisville due to numerous overnight parking opportunities in Municipal lots and the 600 ft climb to the campground. We rode east to Sugar Ridge Campground ~43 miles. after about 6 miles elevation went up ~2-3% for seemingly 20 miles to about Greensboro Bend. Trail goes downward for ~6 miles then flattens. Access the rear of the Campground from the Trail. No campground sign. The turn off is at the Green Danville 1.4 mile sign. easy to miss. Food sources are in Hardwick(sizeable town just off the trail), Hastings Gen Store/Deli in West Danville on the trail, Restaurants in Danville 1/5 mi from trail, very lg convenience market at Irving Gas Station seen from the Trail east of Danville. Trail was mostly hard cinder and some hard dirt. No trail camping, water, infrequent porto johns, signage was lacking except mile markers. The trail was mostly shaded with some very nice views. We saw one bear cub, otherwise wildlife was lacking except some hawks and other birds. The campgrounds were good with flush toilets. We missed the detours west of St Johnsbury. Another detour added a little mileage and hills on local farm roads. We needed to walk one hill on the detour.
The second part was to get to the car and drive to Elmore lake campground and camp. The next day we were to ride to Carmi Lake campground off the Missiquoi Rail Trail. Due to a Medical Emergency with my co rider, I rode sections west of Morrisville without gear by myself. I rode to Cambridge Jct. A nice place to rest. A train depot was there ,a playground and a covered bridge. Locals frequented it. Cambridge was off the trail with services. The trail was fast, flat and scenic and more in the open thru farmland. Services were lacking.
The next day I rode out and back on the Missiquoi from St Albans for a total of 35 miles. I turned onto the Lamoille when they intersected. The ride was nice but noneventful. Great scenery at various points especially on the Lamoille. Trail quality was very good and fast (Hard packed Cinder). Really no services. Some of those 2-3% grades. We had Gravel bikes with 43 and 45 mm tires. Tires on the trails with >38 mm would be fine due to some sections of loose sand.
It appears as though the trail is still a work in progress. It looks as though the repair of the washed out sections is using up resources that would have gone to railings, signage, benches, repair stations etc. A fair number of locals use the Trails. The trail often follows the scenic Lamoille River. Morrisville is a very nice town with all the services a traveler would want, including a hospital. Overall the trail is very nice and I am glad I rode as much as I did. Hopefully the Cross New Hampshire Trail is next.
We probably crossed the rails 15 times before my wheel caught and I went down, scraping my knee and hands, I got pretty bruised up. I couldn’t bend my knee to ride back and uber was not an option. So my husband rode back to the other end to get the car. This is dangerous and the trail is narrow for bikes and walkers at the same time. We had to stop so that bikes in the opposite direction could pass. Would be a nice ride if it were fixed up a bit.
The scenery along the Presidential Trail is varied and spectacular. The views of the Presidential Range are awesome and the Gorham end of the trail is almost as beautiful as it winds along the Moose River through a narrow valley. The trail surface is also varied and it's very bumpy in spots. I found it almost painful to complete the trail on a gravel bike, which is why I only rated it with four stars. A short-travel full-suspension mountain bike is probably ideal for this trail. This was definitely one of the most beautiful rail-trails I've ridden and I can't wait to ride it again during the autumn.
Starting at the rocket site in Warren there was heavy ATV traffic kicking up enough dust to make the bike ride less enjoyable than it would be w/o them. The section from GlenCliff to E.Haverill where ATVs are not allowed is heavily overgrown and could really use a fully groomed makeover. We ride gravel bikes not mountain bikes and bailed out onto Rt 118 partway along due to poor trail conditions. Scenic corridor with untapped potential if given some tender love and care.
Most of the trip is paved and runs through the town of Laconia. There appear to be homeless people (campers at least) on one portion of the trail. Short trail that must be combined with the WOW trail for a longer ride (still short).
Paved. Fast. Hilly with turns. Not a rail trail and the change was great fun. Do not travel when crowded. Lots of sights to see.
Would be a nice trail if maintained. Heavy overgrowth makes it impossible. Blackberry bushes with thorns will cut you up! Aug 2025
After reading most of the recent reviews, I was not expecting much from this trail. But I figured that at worst, I'd ride a few miles and get breakfast. To make a long story short, I rode 17 miles before deciding that I'd better head back for the car.
To be sure, this is not a trail for casual biking or road bikes. The surface is really irregular and you do have to watch where you are going. But with a gravel or mountain bike, it is doable and 100% enjoyable. And though all of the ORV drivers were polite, and there weren't many the day I rode, I'll admit that it would have been even more pleasant without them.
I'm old and have only been riding for a couple of months. So if I can enjoy it, anyone should be able to.
I’m glad I didn’t believe a lot of past reviews. This trail is great. Very smooth and a beautiful ride. I highly recommend it!
I enjoy taking a walk before or after running errands. This path has filled a need in the Mt Washington Valley! The paved surface is welcoming and checking out the turtles on the north end of the pond is fun. Enjoy!
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