Explore the best rated trails in Northfield, NH. 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 64 trails covering 439 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.
First: be aware that a recent storm has washed out a section of the trail about 2 miles from the Ayer parking lot in Sept 2023. People are portaging past it, but some set-ups might not work in this situation. That said, this is a great trail. Plenty of parking at many points along the way, some even have EV chargers!
This is a wonderful trail. But I must add that I am very fond of many of the rail trails in New Hampshire. My wife and I are old and use E bikes with fat tires for our rail trail trips. However, on this trip we passed several riders using road bikes with skinny tires, and they were doing just fine.
From the start of the trip at Lake Massabesic to the end at Ash Swamp Road, this trail proved to be a most enjoyable trail with very few spots that required a little caution. Leaving Massabesic the trail is wide, hard packed and easy going. Mostly wooded areas with many brooks, swamps and for the most part, great scenery.
There were very few muddy or wet areas but all of them were easily navigated. But keep in mind, this trail crosses a few very busy highways. Luckily the first three busy roads you will encounter have tunnels, so you don’t have to cross the roads. Out of caution we got off our bikes and walked them through the tunnels, but a good rider might not have to do that.
As you make your way east there are some very interesting sites like the Emerson Mill site and a couple others that might spark later trips. The trail goes past several lakes and large rivers with very interesting spots to stop for a break or a snack. As you move east you will approach the Star Speedway, (a small racetrack) but is not open during the morning or early afternoon time periods. Further on you will have to cross a very busy route 125. Buy don’t worry, there is a traffic light on either side of the road and all you must do is press the button and wait for the light to stop all the cars, very fast and simple.
There is a rail museum and ice cream spot if you need a break or sugar fix right on the trail, so it makes a stop easy and quick. Continuing east you finally make it to the eastern end at Ash Swamp Road. There is an old rail station that is under restoration there with plenty of parking and easy access. All in all, this is a great trip that shouldn’t be missed.
I'd thought maybe this trail wouldn't be suitable for my road bike w/ slightly wider tires, but it worked out fine. Surface was mostly hard packed dirt/gravel, at least the 9 miles I rode starting at the southern end in Newfields. There were some muddy spots and a few rocks and roots to avoid, but never had to get off the bike and walk. Ponds, swamps, brooks and lots of woods. A few easy road crossings, no road noise on this part. Well worth a ride.
I would hate for people to avoid this lovely trail because of reports of the washouts. By using the trail map from this app or even Google maps you can easily find nearby roads that allow you to ride around the closed sections. We had a lovely 18.7 mi ride today and we’re able to keep cool because of lots of shade even though it got up to 90 degrees! They were repairing the bridge on the road to the Slate Covered Bridge, but they paused work to let us cross. It will be repaired very soon.
Truly a nice ride this weekend. Packed surface, mixed terrain but nothing our Surly Ogre's couldn't handle. This was not a crowded trail but there were a spattering of walkers, bikers, dog walkers. Made you feel happy to be alive! Whoever is maintaining this trail - thank you!
What will it take to get the Bennington to Deering Rail Trail suitable for bicycle??? It is a very difficult ride with even fat-tired riders because of the loose terrain. And then if you try to avoid it by riding the road, that is almost impossible also due to all the pitfalls and holes. This could be such an attraction.
I tried the Jaffrey to Rindge trail this weekend and there was NO COMPARISON! Fun, enjoyable ride while this one remains disappointing.
Please put this one on your list to help!!!
Parked across from the Danbury County Store. Headed west towards Grafton. Only saw a coupe peopling using the trail this late Friday afternoon. Trail was smooth and dry even with rain the prior day.
I rode from Ayer to Nashua and back over 2 hours on Labor Day morning. It is a pleasant ride on a level grade and I was able to keep up a steady pace for the whole ride. The trail is asphalt and in sections there are uneven areas where possibly tree roots have displaced the pavement. It is a big improvement over the last time I rode in several years ago. At that time there were many small conical mounds projecting 2-4 inches above the pavement, again presumably due to tree roots. I hit one one that was in the shadows and was bounced clear off the bike. All those spots have been repaired as far as I could tell. 4 stars because of the pavement issues but a very nice and scenic ride (even accounting for the grouchy local man moving brush in a wheelbarrow along the trail who responded to my "good morning" with a "get screwed").
The trail guide book lists this as a 2-3 roughness, but I would keep it at 2. It's hard packed dirt or crushed gravel the whole length, and while I walked it due to the guide book description which said that half of it was really for walkers/hikers only, I competely disagree. If you want to ride, feel free to, as it's in great shape for all manner of bikes except a strictly road bike, as I assume road bikers want asphalt to ride on. I'll go back and do it again on my hybrid. I parked at Gregg Mills Rd, plenty of spaces, and there is parking for at least a few cars at all other intersections as well. Benches all along the way as well, so bring a picnic.
A mix of sand, packed gravel and flooded trail. Rather challenging terrain that required skilled navigating the trail . It was in horrible condition. The brewery in winchendon was wonderful, but you need to bushwhack through the trail and into an abandoned factory’s parking lot.
Nice trail, kept in good condition. Tree lined with lots of shade perfect for a summer day
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