Find the top rated running trails in Charlestown, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
This trail had sand, deep in areas made it not fun for gravel biking.
Overall this is a great trail and one of my favorites, but I'll give you the detailed breakdown from North to South. Starting near the YMCA in Winchendon it is a beautiful paved trail with great scenery and lots of good parking here and a little further down near Glenallen Street. Just after you cross the large bridge at the beginning, there is an inconspicuous and not very inviting junction with the unpaved Ware River Rail Trail on the right that I have not ridden. I rode all the way down to North Ashburnham Road where I turned right, took a right on Route 12 for a short bit, then turned left on Old Gardner Road to get to the next section of paved trail and skipped the unpaved portion between Route 12 and Old Gardner Road. This next section is very nice as well, although I'm not a fan of the underpass at Commercial Drive because it collects water at the bottom even during the summer. I always ride the narrow dirt track over the top to avoid the water in the tunnel. There is at least one maintenance station between here and Route 140 and a few benches to stop and rest on. Once you cross Route 140, I'm not a big fan. There are no muddy spots, but that's because a lot of crushed stone has been placed in sections on the trail which makes for a very rough ride. I'm hoping this crushed stone is a prelude to placing some compacted crushed gravel for a better riding surface. We shall see. I stopped at Park Street and then rode down into Gardner from there. It is all very nice and it would be 5 stars if the southern section had a better surface.
I have been waiting to try this route for several years. Always hearing that it wasn’t close to being finished. I was very disappointed to see firsthand that virtually nothing has been done for those years. The first mile from Concord is covered with packed cinder, but beyond that the trail is still raw and rough with exposed rocks and roots. Not sure why this project has stalled but I will not be riding it or supporting it until domething more is done to show progress. tiding it ir supporting it until I see something
We biked the entire northern half of the D&H Rail Trail to the NY state line. Was pleasantly surprised to find no ruts. Trail was mostly made up of crushed stone. It's mostly a scenic ride, I would recommend this Rail Trail.
Rode from Lebanon to Grafton, beautiful trail, especially for a gravel bike. There some single track sections, but that added to experience. Loved the fact that it crossed the river many times thus many bridges and several tunnels.
At the end of the trail, you'll be treated to a stunning view!
A lot of work has been done to this trail in the spring of 2024. Although most trails in this area took a hit due to bad weather, people have stepped up and cleaned and improved this trail considerably. Several washouts were repaired and the Mason section of the trail was graded and ruts were filled in. This is an easy trail with lots of things to see and explore. An old quarry with a great history is just off the main trail and worth exploring. The trail is well marked and easily assessable. There is ample parking at several spots along the trail.
Great parking lot off rt3 in Hooksett. Packed gravel trail for the most part. Absolutely beautiful wetlands and woods. A wildlife paradise.
I took my bike over the Canalside Rail Trail while my wife shopped at BJ's, and it was a perfect opportunity to check out this lovely short trail. For the 22nd April 2024, the weather was really good yet there were only few other walkers on the trail at the same time. I was able to park at the southern, McClelland Farm Road, end of the trail where there are only half a dozen spots, but there are many more parking spaces at the northern end.
The trail was in more than satisfactory condition and the signage was also nicely in place, not that it was really needed. I didn't have time to stop in at the Discovery Centre Museum but I did return to BJ's in plenty of time to pay for my wife's shopping that day. I had a lovely time so much so that I plan to take my wife on the same trail whenever I get my old tandem up and running.
We had a great time on this trail, which was easy to navigate. It was our first outing this season since we acquired an ATV for my wife and we enjoyed spending time together while exploring nature. We encountered people walking their dogs and bikers along the way. The trail was well-maintained and clean. We made sure to slow down and say hello to everyone we met. We will definitely be back on this trail again!
I love this trail! Rode it on 3/14/24 when weather was 62 degrees. This trail is short but can be expanded if you cross the metal bridge by the brewery and take the road to the left leading to the Fish Research Hatchery on the opposite side of the canal. If you meander through the little neighborhood on that side as well you can extend it further and get another view of the old mill complexes. I get 20 miles out of the ride. Bring a lunch there are picnic tables on both sides!
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