Explore the best rated trails in Newfane, VT, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Warner Rail Trail and Bagley Rail Trail and Sugar River Trail . With more than 43 trails covering 402 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.
I rode this trail from the Northern tip south about 10 miles and back. It was very smooth pavement, a well marked trail and delightful views.
Rode it Friday. The views were beautiful, the trail was in great condition, and the road crossings were not a problem at all. I’ll definitely be riding this one again.
As of 6/3/25 this trail is still closed south of 11th street.
There is a detour indicated, which we tried to follow, but quickly lost track of.
Found another way to access the trail further south, only to realize that we'd gotten onto the part of the trail that was officially closed.
I'm sure this will warrant a higher rating once it has re-opened, but we were more than a bit disappointed today.
Start at the Peterborough Shopping Plaza parking lot. Stop in the Information Center across the street. It's operated by very nice local volunteers. Make your way north though the center of Peterborough. The surfaces are mostly paved & packed. You don't hit dirt & gravel until the upper half of the trail. Most riders stop at the school bus parking lot on Rt.202. There's a small parking lot there. If you cross the road you can pick up the Powder Mill Pond Rail trail and follow it northeast for another mile or so until it ends at Forest Rd. The trail gets rougher the further north you go but it's VERY manageable for most riders.
Did this trail in the summer of 2024. I agree with some of the previous reviewers that signage could be a little clearer but that's a MINOR concern. The ride was quite pleasant & would make a great lunch hour break for locals. Absolutely no issues with road surfaces and traffic on the nearby highway was very light that day so no competing with cars. Very short trail so make sure you have other activities planned. Visit nearby Hoyt's Landing on the CT river for a nice end of ride picnic :-)
I've ridden this trail many times and it never disappoints. I have ridden all of it in sections and each one has it's own charm. In the Grafton-Canaan stretch it can feel remote even though the highway is nearby. The section from Boscawen to Andover always has folks on it though I have never found it too busy to enjoy. The save can be said for Lebanon out towards Canaan. There are services available along the way though it might require some road riding to access some of them. The Friends of the Northern Rail Trail group does a great job, is responsive to user comments and is working to address issues like toilet access. That being said there are long stretches where you have to be willing to use the bushes. It's absolutely a carry-in/carry-out situation so its a good idea to be prepared.
I did this as an extension of a ride down from Newport on the Sugar River Trail. I agree with the comment above about the section along Washington street by all the box stores where you are essentially riding on the verge of the highway. It doesn't seem like it would take much to fix that section up and make for a more seamless connection to the Sugar river trail. It would also be nice at the end of the trail in Claremont to give some indications to local services (food!).
Last ride of 2024 and was it super! I have a gravel bike so no real issues with the multi-use aspect of the trail as it was in pretty good shape though you could expect to have a difficult time with skinny tires or after a prolonged dry spell. Very scenic, perhaps the most scenic trail I have ridden on in NH. I tacked on the portion into Claremont to get in the mileage and the part that closely parallels the highway is a bit sketchy.
Rode the two sections of this beautiful trail today. From the parking spot in the middle of the Ware trail towards Gilbertville is a nice ride along the river. But a short one. Opposite the old factory the trail suddenly ends and there are handwritten signs "Stop, Don´t go further, Private property..." It would only take a few yards to reach the next road to travel on towards Gilbertville. No chance. Shame on you, property owners! (The trailmap shows a way through, but that might be an error?)
Okay, same way back and on to Route 32 past Gilbertville, where the next trailhead is waiting;-)
Smooth surface, well maintained and even good for kids bikes and flat all the way to Wheelwright. 3 nice old bridges. This is one is fully recommended! Absolutely worth it.
The trail is much better than described, so it has had an upgrade. The trail is a uniform experience from one end to the other. The trail is gravel / dirt with no roots or rocks. It is slightly narrower than some other trails, giving you the feeling you were deeper in the woods. Most of the trail runs along the Piscataquog River and on the other side of the river is Rt 13 (some road noise). The northern trailhead gets close to the Goffstown Rail Trail and at the trailhead you will find road directions (about 2-miles) to get to that awesome trail.
The Common Pathway is also called the Peterborough RT. This RT adjoins the Old Railroad Trail and is about 5 miles north of Monadnock RT (we did all 3 trails the same day). The trail is mostly crushed stone but some asphalt as well as road ride. Some rough spots but no issue. Started at Trailhead for Old Railroad Trail and headed toward Peterborough. It is a nice town with several good eating and drinking places. Good trail and the Contoocook River runs along most of the trail. We did not do the trail south of Peterborough as it went from town, along 202 (traffic at 50+ mph) and was not reviewed as being an interesting ride.
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