Athol, MA Cross Country Skiing Trails and Maps

1704 Reviews

Looking for the best Cross Country Skiing trails around Athol?

Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Athol, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

  • Relevance
  • Name
  • Length
  • Most Popular
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
46 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Air Line State Park Trail

60.3 mi
State: CT
Ballast, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Ashuwillticook Rail Trail

13.9 mi
State: MA
Asphalt

Assabet River Rail Trail

10.4 mi
State: MA
Asphalt

Blackstone River Greenway

31.6 mi
State: MA, RI
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone, Dirt

Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

15.7 mi
State: MA
Asphalt

Columbia Greenway Rail Trail

3.1 mi
State: MA
Asphalt

Derry Rail Trail

3.6 mi
State: NH
Asphalt

Farmington Canal Heritage Trail

48.9 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

Goffstown Rail Trail

5.5 mi
State: NH
Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand

Londonderry Rail Trail

4.6 mi
State: NH
Asphalt

Manhan Rail Trail

9.5 mi
State: MA
Asphalt

Mass Central Rail Trail

56.36 mi
State: MA
Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Mine Falls Park Trails

9.7 mi
State: NH
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass

Minuteman Commuter Bikeway

10.1 mi
State: MA
Asphalt

Monadnock Recreational Rail Trail

7.5 mi
State: NH
Asphalt, Gravel

Nashua River Rail Trail

12.4 mi
State: MA, NH
Asphalt

Quinebaug Valley Rail Trail

5.7 mi
State: MA
Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Grass

South Spencer Rail Trail

1.62 mi
State: MA
Crushed Stone

Southwick Rail Trail

6.5 mi
State: MA
Asphalt

Upper Charles Trail

13.9 mi
State: MA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Accordion

West River Trail (Windham County)

16.1 mi
State: VT
Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel, Sand

Westville Lake Community Trail

0.7 mi
State: MA
Crushed Stone

Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail

21.4 mi
State: NH
Asphalt, Ballast, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt

Cheshire Rail Trail (Cheshire Branch Rail Trail)

42.4 mi
State: NH
Asphalt, Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Gravel, Sand

Common Pathway

5.5 mi
State: NH
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Fort Hill Recreational Rail Trail

7 mi
State: NH
Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Gravel, Sand

Grand Trunk Trail

6.9 mi
State: MA
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Mason Railroad Trail

6.7 mi
State: NH
Ballast, Gravel, Sand

Narrow-Gauge Rail-Trail

3 mi
State: MA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt

New Boston Rail Trail

3.9 mi
State: NH
Dirt

North Central Pathway

11.2 mi
State: MA
Asphalt

Old Railroad Trail

2.7 mi
State: NH
Dirt

Putnam River Trail

2 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

Reformatory Branch Trail

3.9 mi
State: MA
Dirt

Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail (Portsmouth Branch)

28 mi
State: NH
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand

Southern New England Trunkline Trail

21.8 mi
State: MA
Asphalt, Ballast, Crushed Stone

Toonerville Rail-Trail

3.2 mi
State: VT
Asphalt

Brookline Rail Trail

4.5 mi
State: NH
Crushed Stone, Gravel

Chicopee River Canal Rail Trail

0.21 mi
State: MA
Asphalt

Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail

5.65 mi
State: NH
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Granite Town Rail-Trail

3 mi
State: NH
Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand

Hillsborough Recreational Rail Trail

7.8 mi
State: NH
Crushed Stone, Dirt

Squannacook River Rail Trail

3.7 mi
State: MA
Crushed Stone

East Branch Trail (VT)

0.5 mi
State: VT
Gravel
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Overview The Air Line State Park Trail winds 60.3 miles from the northeast corner of Connecticut, where the state borders Massachusetts, down to East Hampton in the heart of the state. The pathway...
CT 60.3 mi Ballast, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
Overview Visitors to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail will find the full splendor of the scenic Berkshires along a 13.7-mile paved trail. The Ashuwillticook (ash-oo-will-ti-cook) follows MA 8 through...
MA 13.9 mi Asphalt
Overview The Assabet River Rail Trail connects five old mill towns that owe their revitalization to present-day high-tech industries. A midpoint gap splits the 10.4-mile trail. It offers a forested...
MA 10.4 mi Asphalt
Overview Throughout history, the Blackstone River has been an important waterway, from its use by American Indians who fished its once-abundant salmon to its role as a major artery for the...
MA, RI 31.6 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone, Dirt
Overview A developing rail trail, the route winds for nearly 16 miles through Chelmsford, Westford, Carlisle, Acton, and Concord. The rail trail is paved and is typically about 10 feet...
MA 15.7 mi Asphalt
Overview The Columbia Greenway Rail Trail offers just over 3 miles of paved, tree-lined pathway through Westfield in southwestern Massachusetts. About the Route The rail-trail runs between...
MA 3.1 mi Asphalt
Overview This exquisitely maintained 3.6-mile paved rail-trail slices through forested areas and wetlands for a wonderful experience in southern New Hampshire. About the Route Starting at the...
NH 3.6 mi Asphalt
Overview First a canal, then a railroad, and now a trail defines the history of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. Completed segments span Connecticut south to north, from New Haven to the...
CT 48.9 mi Asphalt
The year 2017 marks 20 years since a rails-to-trails project was first mentioned in the Goffstown Master Plan, and thanks to work by the Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail and support throughout the...
NH 5.5 mi Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand
Overview  The Londonderry Rail Trail runs for 4.6 miles between Harvey and Rockingham Road. The smooth paved trail offers a pleasant and tranquil adventure for trail users along an old Manchester...
NH 4.6 mi Asphalt
Overview The Manhan Rail Trail, well integrated into the local communities it serves, offers a pleasant ride or stroll. It conveniently weaves together parks, community points of interest,...
MA 9.5 mi Asphalt
Overview The Massachusetts Central Railroad was destroyed by a hurricane in 1938, but the 104-mile corridor is being reborn as a cross-state rail trail. The Mass Central Rail Trail runs for 36.36...
MA 56.36 mi Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
Overview Mine Falls Park in Nashua is a 300-acre-plus urban park with a network of approximately 9.7 miles of a variety of trail types. This forested park offers an extraordinary nature experience...
NH 9.7 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass
Overview For many commuters, the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway provides freedom from congested traffic in the northwest Boston suburbs. For others, the 10.1-mile paved trail between Cambridge and...
MA 10.1 mi Asphalt
The Monadnock Recreational Rail Trail is a great example of a repurposed rail route that provides safe commuting opportunities while also allowing trail users to escape into forest environments for...
NH 7.5 mi Asphalt, Gravel
Overview The Nashua River Rail Trail stretches from southern Nashua, New Hampshire, to downtown Ayer, Massachusetts, connecting to the towns of Pepperell and Groton. The trail is built on the...
MA, NH 12.4 mi Asphalt
The Quinebaug Valley Rail Trail runs on the corridor once occupied by the Southbridge & Blackstone line of the Providence & Worcester Railroad, transforming a corridor once designed to link rural...
MA 5.7 mi Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Grass
The South Spencer Rail Trail runs for less than 2 miles from downtown Spencer to an area south of town near Spencer State Forest. The path, which is also known as the Depot Trail, occupies a former...
MA 1.62 mi Crushed Stone
Overview The Southwick Rail Trail extends for 6.5 miles between the Westfield town line south and the Massachusetts–Connecticut state line. About the Route Along the way, the Southwick Rail...
MA 6.5 mi Asphalt
Overview    Shaped like a checkmark, the Upper Charles Trail links Milford, Holliston and Sherborn—towns in Massachusetts’s bucolic MetroWest suburbs. Ornamented by an eight-arch stone bridge and a...
MA 13.9 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Accordion
The West River Railroad, which once followed its namesake river for 36 miles, began passenger service in the late 1800s as a way to trim the two-day voyage between Brattleboro and South Londonderry to...
VT 16.1 mi Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel, Sand
The Westville Lake Community Trail offers a short, scenic excursion along the east bank of Westville Lake in Southbridge. Much of the crushed-stone pathway is under a lush tree canopy. Along the way,...
MA 0.7 mi Crushed Stone
Closure Notice: Due to flooding, the Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail is closed from Pine Street to Sawyer's Crossing Road in Swanzey. Please see NH State Parks for more up-to-date...
NH 21.4 mi Asphalt, Ballast, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt
Overview The Cheshire Rail Trail connects Fitzwilliam, Troy, Keene, Westmoreland and Walpole. The 42.4-mile trail has a mostly gravel and dirt surface. The rail-trail plays host to a variety of...
NH 42.4 mi Asphalt, Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Gravel, Sand
The Common Pathway travels 5.5 miles from the outskirts of Peterborough south to downtown’s Noone Falls area, paralleling US 202 and the Contoocook River for most of its journey. The small town of...
NH 5.5 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Built in the 1910s by the Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) as part of the Connecticut River Division Main Line, the route introduced daily service to the B&M Fort Hill Branch in the early 1920s to meet...
NH 7 mi Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Gravel, Sand
The overall goal of the Grand Trunk Trail in south-central Massachusetts is to connect the communities of Brimfield, Sturbridge, and Southbridge by trail. Currently, two sections of the trail are...
MA 6.9 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
The Mason Railroad Trail runs for nearly 7 miles from near the New Hampshire–Massachusetts border (nr. Townsend, MA) to Greenville, NH. The trail follows a heavily wooded corridor through Russell...
NH 6.7 mi Ballast, Gravel, Sand
Overview Even though the Narrow-Gauge Rail Trail traces the nation’s first narrow-gauge railroad for 3 miles from Bedford toward Billerica, the mostly crushed-stone path is plenty wide enough now...
MA 3 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt
The New Boston Rail Trail follows the former railroad corridor of the same name for 3.9 miles through densely wooded areas in the town of New Boston. The railroad was in operation from 1893 to 1931,...
NH 3.9 mi Dirt
The North Central Pathway is envisioned as a trail network connecting points of interest through and between Winchendon and Gardner. Several completed sections of trail make for a lovely ride or walk...
MA 11.2 mi Asphalt
The Old Railroad, as its name suggests, is a multi-use trail that occupies a former Boston & Maine Railroad corridor. The trail picks up at the northern trailhead of the Common Pathway, a paved...
NH 2.7 mi Dirt
The Putnam River Trail extends between Arch Street in the Putnam District and Providence Street to the south. The trail follows the east bank of the Quinebaug River between the river and Kennedy...
CT 2 mi Asphalt
The Reformatory Branch Trail connects the historical towns of Bedford and Concord along a nearly 4-mile dirt path through wildlife refuges that ends a short distance from the North Bridge, the...
MA 3.9 mi Dirt
Overview  The Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail brings at least two superlatives to mind: it’s one of New Hampshire’s longest rail trails at just more than 28 miles, and it runs from Manchester,...
NH 28 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand
Overview The Southern New England Trunk Line Trail (aka the "SNETT") was designated as a National Recreation Trail in 1994. It is built upon a segment of the former right-of-way of the New Haven...
MA 21.8 mi Asphalt, Ballast, Crushed Stone
The Toonerville Rail-Trail shadows the Black River for most of its 3.2-mile length in eastern Springfield to the border with New Hampshire across the Connecticut River. The route originally carried an...
VT 3.2 mi Asphalt
Note: Per the State of Connecticut's website, the trail is open from dawn to dusk April 1–November 14. Eagle nesting activities can delay the opening of the southern trail head in Windsor...
CT 5.4 mi Asphalt
The Brookline Rail Trail winds through the New Hampshire woods and passes by several small bodies of water, including the Potanipo Pond. The rail-trail has two segments, known as the Brookline Rail...
NH 4.5 mi Crushed Stone, Gravel
The Chicopee Center Canal Walk offers a short pleasant route in Chicopee, a small city on the outskirts of Springfield in southern Massachusetts. The pathway closely follows the slow-moving canal and...
MA 0.21 mi Asphalt
Following the historic Concord-Claremont Railroad corridor, the Concord–Lake Sunapee Rail Trail will eventually connect communities from Concord to the southern point of Lake Sunapee via a multiuse...
NH 5.65 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
Overview The Granite Town Rail-Trail runs for 3 miles in Milford, New Hampshire. Portions of the route are unpaved and surfaced with sand, gravel, and/or dirt, while short concrete sections can be...
NH 3 mi Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand
Hillsborough Recreational Rail Trail connects three communities in south-central New Hampshire: Hillsborough, Deering, and Bennington. The unpaved trail winds along the Contoocook River through rural...
NH 7.8 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt
The Squannacook River Rail Trail is 3.7 miles long, from Depot St in the center of Townsend, MA, to the Bertozzi Wildlife Management Area in Groton, MA. The trail occupies the Greenville Branch of the...
MA 3.7 mi Crushed Stone
The Catamount Trail offers 300 miles of backcountry skiing stretching across Vermont, from the Readsboro on the Massachusetts border, to North Troy near Canada. The trails are popular for winter...
VT 18.1 mi Dirt
The East Branch Trail is a 0.5-mile ungroomed, backcountry pathway built on a former logging railroad bed in southern Vermont's Windham County. The remote, heavily wooded trail lies just north of the...
VT 0.5 mi Gravel

Recent Trail Reviews

Mass Central Rail Trail

Ware to Gilbertville and Gilbertville to Wheelwright

November, 2024 by arno911

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.

New Boston Rail Trail

A surprising find - better than the trail description

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

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. 

Southern New England Trunkline Trail

A gravel riding sampler trail.

November, 2024 by walkinator007

This trail is a mixed bag. I mean literally you can expect to see everything from nice paved road, to chunky, rocky eroded sand, and everything in between. A fair amount of light gravel and packed clay and dirt for fast gravel riding. some sandy parts where you’d benefit from a wider tire. some chunky rocks and eroded sections. If you’re doing the whole thing, gravel or hybrid bike at the least. Wider tires and suspension are recommended. I did this on a gravel bike with relatively narrow all terrain tires and it was great most of the time but definitely not optimal for the roughest sections. overall this ia great trail to learn gravel riding and test your bike’s capabilities.

Accordion

Nashua River Rail Trail

Long and fast trail

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Very long for a paved trail and the few road crossings do not have much traffic. There are no more roots coming through the pavement than one would expect, and they all are painted white where they exist. A fast trail. There are towns in both the northern and southern part of the trail to grab food and/or drink. The trail is mostly in Massachusetts.

Blackstone River Greenway

Wonderful trail

November, 2024 by walkinator007

This is my favorite trail in the state, very scenic along the river. best part is from woonsocket to lincoln. Some parts of this trail through the city are poorly marked and you need to share the road with cars.

Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail (Portsmouth Branch)

One of the best in the state

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Did on e-bikes with 2" tires in early October. Done in 2-segments of 14 miles each (started in Newfields and then in Manchester and worked way to middle). From Manchester there are several lakes/ponds, so it is more scenic.  Also, this segment has three railbed passes beneath the roads. You can stay on your bike for all but one - watch your head! Also the lead up and down to these tunnels is steep, so get some speed going up to them. From Newfield there are places to eat about 12 miles in.    The trail is mostly crushed stone & some dirt.

Piscataquog Trail

Short trail but a great connector to Goffstown RT

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Started at Delta Dental baseball stadium in Manchester.  Look to quickly go over river and i93 on 2 great bridges.  Seamless into Goffstown Rail Trail.  

Londonderry Rail Trail

One of the best!

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Excellent paved trail. Like Derry it can have lots of people.  Go during non-peak hours. Too bad it doesn't connect to another trail.  We went ¼ mile south of paved trail which was not bad (could only average 8-10 mph and reversed course at a rutted bridge.  One of the best finds of October (we did 24 trails).

Goffstown Rail Trail

Fantastic trail in every way

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Great views along the river.  Great connections to Piscataquog and Heritage trails.  Surprised how quickly we got out of Manchester (started at Delta Dental baseball stadium - this may be on one of the other trails).  Variety of scenery. 

Derry Rail Trail

Part of a great run of connected trails

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Excellent and scenic trail. It starts just north of town.  Great connection to Windham Rail Trail.  Avoid peek exercise times as many visit this trail.

Common Pathway

Nice trail ride with a great finishing destination

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

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.

Old Railroad Trail

Rustic and bumpy deep woods ride (good feel)

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

e-Bike with 2" tires. The trail adjoins Peterborough (Common Path) RT. Rough trail with roots and rocks, so speeds above 10 are impossible to maintain. On a positive note, you really feel like you are in the woods. We were able to go slightly longer than the miles posted. A tiring short ride, but doable. Wife hated it, as too bumpy. Recommendation: ride Peterborough (Common Path) first as it is much easier.

Find Nearby City trails

Accordion

Register for free!

Register for free with TrailLink today!

We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your own favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Leave reviews for trails
  • Add new and edit existing trails

Get the Free TrailLink App

The trail is always better with TrailLink

Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone

Explore by City

Explore by City

Explore by Activity

Explore by Activity

Log in to your account to:

  • View trail paths on the map
  • Save trails to your account
  • Add trails, edit descriptions
  • Share photos
  • Add reviews

Log in with Google

Log in with Apple

OR

Register for free!

Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more!

Register with Google

Register with Apple

OR

Your account has been deleted.