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Keene Birding Trails and Maps

652 Reviews

Looking for the best Birding trails around Keene?

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

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Name
Length

Appel Way Trail

1.3 mi

State: NH

Asphalt

Ashburnham Rail Trail

1.3 mi

State: MA

Dirt

Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail

21.5 mi

State: NH

Asphalt, Ballast, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt

Ashuwillticook Rail Trail

11.9 mi

State: MA

Asphalt

Bobby Woodman Rail Trail

1.7 mi

State: NH

Dirt, Gravel

Bridge of Flowers

0.1 mi

State: MA

Concrete

Canalside Rail Trail

3.6 mi

State: MA

Asphalt

Cheshire Rail Trail (Cheshire Branch Rail Trail)

32.9 mi

State: NH

Asphalt, Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Gravel, Sand

Common Pathway

6.5 mi

State: NH

Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Derry Rail Trail

3.5 mi

State: NH

Asphalt

East Branch Trail (VT)

0.5 mi

State: VT

Gravel

Fort Hill Branch Rail-Trail

7 mi

State: NH

Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Gravel, Sand

Goffstown Rail Trail

5.5 mi

State: NH

Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand

Granite Town Rail-Trail

3 mi

State: NH

Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand

Harrisville Rail Trail

1.6 mi

State: NH

Dirt

Head’s Pond Trail

1.75 mi

State: NH

Gravel

Heritage Trail (Manchester)

0.9 mi

State: NH

Asphalt

Hillsborough Recreational Rail Trail

7.8 mi

State: NH

Crushed Stone, Dirt

Hoot, Toot and Whistle Trail

0.5 mi

State: VT

Dirt

Jonathan Daniels Trail

0.9 mi

State: NH

Crushed Stone

Accordion

Keene Industrial Heritage Trail

1 mi

State: NH

Asphalt

Londonderry Rail Trail

3.1 mi

State: NH

Asphalt

Lye Brook Falls Trail

2.2 mi

State: VT

Gravel

Manhan Rail Trail

9.6 mi

State: MA

Asphalt

Mascoma River Greenway

2.1 mi

State: NH

Asphalt, Gravel

Mason Railroad Trail

6.7 mi

State: NH

Ballast, Gravel, Sand

Mass Central Rail Trail

38 mi

State: MA

Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass

Mass Central Rail Trail (Norwottuck Branch)

10 mi

State: MA

Asphalt

Mine Falls Park

9.7 mi

State: NH

Asphalt, Dirt, Grass, Gravel

Monadnock Branch Rail-Trail

7.2 mi

State: NH

Asphalt, Gravel

Nashua Heritage Rail-Trail

1.3 mi

State: NH

Asphalt

Nashua River Rail Trail

12.3 mi

State: MA, NH

Asphalt

New Boston Rail Trail

3.9 mi

State: NH

Dirt

North Central Pathway

8.9 mi

State: MA

Asphalt

Northern Rail Trail

58 mi

State: NH

Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel

Norwottuck Rail-Trail (Francis P. Ryan Section)

4.9 mi

State: MA

Asphalt

Piscataquog Trail

2.1 mi

State: NH

Asphalt

Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail (Portsmouth Branch)

26.5 mi

State: NH

Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand

South Manchester Rail Trail

0.89 mi

State: NH

Asphalt

Stevens Rail Trail

1.3 mi

State: NH

Dirt, Gravel

Sugar River Trail

9.8 mi

State: NH

Ballast, Cinder, Sand

Toonerville Rail-Trail

3.1 mi

State: VT

Asphalt

Valley Trail

9.1 mi

State: VT

Asphalt

Ware River Rail-Trail

12 mi

State: MA

Ballast, Dirt, Grass, Gravel

West River Trail

16 mi

State: VT

Gravel, Sand

Windham Rail Trail

4.1 mi

State: NH

Asphalt

Winnipesaukee River Trail

5.1 mi

State: NH

Crushed Stone, Dirt

Trail Image	Trail Name	States	Length	Surface	Rating
	Appel Way Trail Appel Way Trail offers a paved route of about a mile through woodlands on the north end of Keene. Most notably, it offers a connection between Wheelock Park on the trail's west end and Ashuelot River...	NH	1.3 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews
	Ashburnham Rail Trail More than a mile of the Ashburnham Rail Trail opened in 2015 from a point just south of Ashburnham's center to Turnpike Road. The rustic route, planned to be paved in the future, offers a...	MA	1.3 mi	Dirt	0 reviews
	Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail The Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail passes such scenic and historical landmarks as covered bridges, abandoned mills, and postcard-perfect towns. Starting on asphalt in Keene, the rail-trail can be...	NH	21.5 mi	Asphalt, Ballast, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt	23 reviews
	Ashuwillticook Rail Trail Nestled in the Hoosic River Valley, between Mount Greylock and the Hoosac Mountains in Berkshire County, the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail takes its name from a Native American word meaning "the pleasant...	MA	11.9 mi	Asphalt	58 reviews
	Bobby Woodman Rail Trail The Bobby Woodman Rail Trail, a hard-packed dirt and gravel pathway, begins off a quiet street at the southern end of Claremont and quickly dives under pleasant tree cover. After about a half mile,...	NH	1.7 mi	Dirt, Gravel	0 reviews
	Bridge of Flowers The Bridge of Flowers is a 400-foot-long former trolley line bridge that has been converted into a garden pathway. Open from April 1 to October 31, the bridge spans the Deerfield River between...	MA	0.1 mi	Concrete	3 reviews
	Canalside Rail Trail Canalside Rail Trail begins at McClelland Farm Road in Deerfield and heads north on the former NYNH&H Railroad, crossing the Connecticut River near its confluence with Deerfield River. Approximately a...	MA	3.6 mi	Asphalt	6 reviews
	Cheshire Rail Trail (Cheshire Branch Rail Trail) Formerly comprising two separate segments—one running northward from Keene to Walpole, and the other running southward from Keene to Fitzwilliam—the Cheshire Rail Trail now runs a continuous 32.9...	NH	32.9 mi	Asphalt, Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Gravel, Sand	19 reviews
	Common Pathway Common Pathway runs for nearly 7 miles from the south end of Peterborough north to Hancock. The trail is a combination of asphalt and gravel and follows an old railroad right-of-way along the...	NH	6.5 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone	4 reviews
	Derry Rail Trail Stretching 3.5 paved miles north from Windham through woodlands to Derry, the Derry Rail Trail runs on the same former rail bed network on which the Rockingham Recreational Trail is built. This...	NH	3.5 mi	Asphalt	19 reviews
	East Branch Trail (VT) 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	1 reviews
	Fort Hill Branch Rail-Trail At the southern end of the trail a large parking lot at Dole Junction is maintained by the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails. This parking lot also serves as the southern terminus of the Ashuelot Rail...	NH	7 mi	Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Gravel, Sand	4 reviews
	Goffstown Rail Trail The Goffstown Rail Trail is open, but still in development. About half of the Goffstown Rail Trail has hard packed gravel surface. Goffstown Rail Trail stretches just over 5 miles in length.The bridge...	NH	5.5 mi	Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand	9 reviews
	Granite Town Rail-Trail Mile 0.0 - DPW Garage Cross the bridge in the parking area, the trail starts behind the fence, crossing over Great Brook on a old dam. Mile 0.53 - After crossing Union St. you will come to a...	NH	3 mi	Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand	2 reviews
	Harrisville Rail Trail The Harrisville Rail Trail runs for just under two miles between the outskirts of Harrisville and Hancock in rural New Hampshire. The former railroad bed is located on lands conserved by the Harris...	NH	1.6 mi	Dirt	0 reviews
	Head’s Pond Trail Head’s Pond Trail (formerly known as the Hooksett Rail-Trail) follows a portion of a right-of-way of the Portsmouth & Concord Railroad. This section of the railroad was abandoned in 1862, leaving...	NH	1.75 mi	Gravel	4 reviews
	Heritage Trail (Manchester) The Heritage Trail is managed by the state of New Hampshire to provide access to recreational and historical attractions across the state. Eventually, the north-south route along the former Boston and...	NH	0.9 mi	Asphalt	2 reviews
	Hillsborough Recreational Rail Trail 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	6 reviews
	Hoot, Toot and Whistle Trail Although short, the Hoot, Toot and Whistle Trail provides an enjoyable journey through peaceful woodlands on Wilmington's west end. As you might guess, the rail-trail gets its name from the former...	VT	0.5 mi	Dirt	0 reviews
	Jonathan Daniels Trail Jonathan Daniels Trail travels the length of Ashuelot River Park through Keene. Along the stone-dust trail, you can enjoy the park’s beautiful natural backdrop and flower garden. The trail was named...	NH	0.9 mi	Crushed Stone	0 reviews

Accordion

Keene Industrial Heritage Trail The Keene Industrial Trail links the county's Cheshire Rail-Trail in the city of Keene. The paved path is a 1-mile segment through downtown Keene, which passes among some of the city's old mill...	NH	1 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews
Londonderry Rail Trail The Londonderry Rail Trail will one day stretch 6 miles across Londonderry from Derry to Manchester, New Hampshire's largest city, along the former Manchester and Lawrence Railroad. As of December...	NH	3.1 mi	Asphalt	6 reviews
Lye Brook Falls Trail The heavily wooded Lye Brook Falls Trail runs for 2 miles through the Lye Brook Wilderness of the Green Mountain National Forest near Manchester. The blue-blazed hiking trail follows the bed of a...	VT	2.2 mi	Gravel	8 reviews
Manhan Rail Trail The Manhan Rail Trail wends its way between Easthampton and Northampton, with a spur trail leading out The Oxbow near Mt. Tom. Easthampton is a typical New England factory town brimming with commerce...	MA	9.6 mi	Asphalt	19 reviews
Mascoma River Greenway Mascoma River Greenway is a planned 4-mile non-motorized pathway through the heart of Lebanon. The trail is envisioned to link West Lebanon to the 50-mile Northern Rail Trail. In 2013, the first mile...	NH	2.1 mi	Asphalt, Gravel	0 reviews
Mason Railroad Trail The Mason Railroad Trail runs for nearly 7 miles from near the New HampshireMassachusetts border (nr. Townsend, MA) to Greenville, NH. The trail follows a heavily wooded corridor through Russell...	NH	6.7 mi	Ballast, Gravel, Sand	12 reviews
Mass Central Rail Trail A 104-mile rail line was shattered by hurricane in 1938. Today, the corridor is being developed as the Mass Central Rail Trail to be enjoyed by bicyclists, walkers, joggers, and cross-country skiers....	MA	38 mi	Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass	18 reviews
Mass Central Rail Trail (Norwottuck Branch) Stretching east from Northampton, the 10-mile Norwottuck Branch of the Mass Central Rail Trail connects the towns of Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst. Part of the Connecticut River Greenway State...	MA	10 mi	Asphalt	48 reviews
Mine Falls Park 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. The Nashua River and Nashua Canal both cut right...	NH	9.7 mi	Asphalt, Dirt, Grass, Gravel	9 reviews
Monadnock Branch Rail-Trail The scenic Monadnock Branch Rail-Trail travels for just over 7 miles from Webster Street in Jaffrey near the ball field to the New HampshireMassachusetts border. From Jaffrey to Rindge the trail is...	NH	7.2 mi	Asphalt, Gravel	13 reviews
Nashua Heritage Rail-Trail The Nashua Heritage Rail Trail begins adjacent to City Hall on Main Street in downtown Nashua. It is a short trail that takes you through one of the first neighborhoods that was planned and built in...	NH	1.3 mi	Asphalt	4 reviews
Nashua River Rail Trail The Nashua River Rail Trail is a beautiful and peaceful rural trail extending through the Massachusetts communities of Ayer, Groton, Pepperell and Dunstable. The trail continues into New Hampshire...	MA, NH	12.3 mi	Asphalt	119 reviews
New Boston Rail Trail The New Boston Rail Trail follows the old railroad line of the same name, running along the Piscataquog River between the Hillsborough County Youth Center in New Boston and Route 114, about 4 miles to...	NH	3.9 mi	Dirt	4 reviews
North Central Pathway The North Central Pathway will one day stretch 16 miles between the cities of Winchendon and Gardner in northern Massachusetts, primarily along a former railroad right-of-way. Three open sections...	MA	8.9 mi	Asphalt	14 reviews
Northern Rail Trail At 58 miles, the Northern Rail Trail spans Grafton and Merrimack counties and is the longest rail-trail in New Hampshire. Along with grass, the surface is dirt, crushed gravel, and cinders in Grafton...	NH	58 mi	Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel	54 reviews
Norwottuck Rail-Trail (Francis P. Ryan Section) In central Massachusetts, the Norwottuck Rail-Trail (formerly the Northampton Bikeway) runs between New South Street in Northampton and the neighborhood north of Look Memorial Park in Florence....	MA	4.9 mi	Asphalt	12 reviews
Piscataquog Trail The Piscataquog Trail runs for 2 miles between the east bank of the Merrimack River and Pinard Street at Electric Street. On the east end, the trail begins near the New Hampshire Fisher Cats baseball...	NH	2.1 mi	Asphalt	11 reviews
Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail (Portsmouth Branch) New Hampshire's largest city, Manchester, boasts relatively quick access to one of the state's longest rail-trails: the 26.5-mile Rockingham Recreational Trail (a.k.a. Portsmouth Branch). The rustic...	NH	26.5 mi	Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand	41 reviews
South Manchester Rail Trail The South Manchester Rail Trail is a proposed bike/pedestrian path that would connect the downtown Millyard area of Manchester to the Town on Londonderry. The South Manchester Rail Trail will utilize...	NH	0.89 mi	Asphalt	2 reviews
Stevens Rail Trail About a dozen miles west of Concord, the Stevens Rail Trail offers a quiet, wooded route along the former Concord-Claremont rail line in Contoocook Village. It starts off Krzyzaniak Road and continues...	NH	1.3 mi	Dirt, Gravel	1 reviews
Sugar River Trail Also known as the Sugar River Recreational Trail, this picturesque 9.8-mile path stretches from Newport to the southeastern edge of Claremont along the banks of the Sugar River. To reach Claremont...	NH	9.8 mi	Ballast, Cinder, Sand	20 reviews
Toonerville Rail-Trail The Toonerville Rail-Trail (a.k.a. Springfield Greenway) spans 3 meticulously maintained miles from the downtown business district of Springfield southeast to the western bank of the Connecticut River...	VT	3.1 mi	Asphalt	7 reviews
Valley Trail The scenic Valley Trail spans 9 miles connecting Dover and Wilmington in southern Vermont along the Green Mountain National Forest. It provides a critical off-road pathway for bypassing Route 100....	VT	9.1 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews
Ware River Rail-Trail This unpaved state-owned trail is open for public use from Coldbrook to Baldwinville. An on-road detour is necessary through the village of Baldwinville, but the right-of-way is open for public use on...	MA	12 mi	Ballast, Dirt, Grass, Gravel	10 reviews
West River Trail Following the floodplain of the West River Valley, the 16-mile West River Trail (a.k.a. Railroad Bed Trail) appeals to a wide range of trail users. The rail-trail has a nearly level surface, ideal for...	VT	16 mi	Gravel, Sand	7 reviews
Windham Rail Trail The Windham Rail-Trail occupies a scenic stretch of abandoned rail (Manchester and Lawrence) between Range Road (at Rockingham Rd.) in Salem and Windham Road, about 4 miles to the northwest. At...	NH	4.1 mi	Asphalt	39 reviews
Winnipesaukee River Trail The Winnipesaukee River Trail courses along its namesake river, connecting the towns of Franklin and Tilton-Northfield. The trail passes through an unusual upside-down covered bridgebelieved to be...	NH	5.1 mi	Crushed Stone, Dirt	14 reviews

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Recent Trail Reviews

Nashua River Rail Trail

Beautiful trail

October, 2017 by grubb.stephanie

This is a great trail to get a few miles in on a bike. The trail is flat and well maintained. There are plenty of pretty spots along the way for taking breaks.

Northern Rail Trail

Connection of 2 bike trails

October, 2017 by mtyblueballs

Couple of week ago I took the Winnipesaukee River Trail from my house in Northfield to Franklin and while biking route 3 I came across the Northern Rail Trail going southbound to Concord, then biked back. It was a nice 40 mile bike ride round trip. Next year I would like to bike northbound from the Winnipesaukee River Trail to the North Rail Trail northbound to West Lebanon NH. My only concern is where to connect onto this trail so I am not back tracking too far. I have driven route 11 beside the trail to find the best access to get on after getting off the Winnipesaukee River Trail. Any suggestions or best route would be great. Love both trails and plan to bike them more next season.

Mason Railroad Trail

Autumn Trail Ride

October, 2017 by ryoung_tl

10/27/2017
Easy to locate by following directions on the trail page.
Park on Rt 23, Mason Rd.- dirt lot on the left. It is a half mi to trailhead on Morse Rd. The orange barrier is about 100 yards in from the road on the left, so if the leaves have not yet fallen, it may be difficult to see, but it should be rather obvious that the trail is there. A very short section also goes further south towards Townsend.
10.4 miles to the Mason Village depot. Average grade 2.8% going northbound. Therefore, you are going up hill, but you hardly notice. The road surface of crushed gravel, as a base, is very flat. With each crossing of a motor vehicle roadway, there are barriers and signs to warn you.
The trail is in excellent shape with some water across the trail, probably collecting in depressions caused by ATVs. This occurs beyond Pratt Pond at the top of the hook, but not so difficult that one cannot get around them. It was probably more obvious due to severe rain over the past 48 hrs.
Nice vistas and scenery along the way. At approximately 4 miles from the trailhead, there is a granite quarry loop on the left. I did not take it, so can offer no report.
At the end of the trail (9 miles), you will encounter a barricade that marks the intersection with Rt. 31. You should walk down to the highway and then you can ride on Rt 31 (take a left) to reach Old Wilton Road on your right. There is a bridge to cross. It is one more mile to the old depot in the center of town. Be careful on Rt. 31. Large trucks go very fast.
This trail is historically significant in that Henry David Thoreau, on September 6, 1852, rode this line (Peterboro’ & Shirley Railroad) from Ayer (Groton Junction at the time) [after riding the Fitchburg line from Concord to Ayer]. Reaching Mason Village (Greenville), he walked to Peterborough, stayed the night and continued on to the summit of Grand Monadnock, on foot. Later in the day, he descended to Troy, NH, and returned the same day to Concord, via the Cheshire RR, and, at Fitchburg, the Fitchburg RR.

Accordion

Hillsborough Recreational Rail Trail

Bennington rail trail

October, 2017 by k8sl

Abominable surface, where you can pass, is very narrow and obstructed. A real waste of time and a disappointment.

Hillsborough Recreational Rail Trail

bennington rail trail

October, 2017 by k8sl

Terrible for bikes. Lots of dead fall, trash and railroad ties. 1/2 mile from "trailhead" there is a huge locked gate (chain link) which means you back track and ride through town to get to the other side of the river

Cheshire Rail Trail (Cheshire Branch Rail Trail)

Nice ride in the fall

October, 2017 by albern36

Went from the southern end of the trail on the MA border to Troy. The trail seems to be in better shape than some of the other reviewers experienced. There are some roots, loose gravel, rocks, but nothing that any decent mountain bike can't handle. I wouldn't take a hybrid on this trail and forget about a street bike. The view of Monadnock from the Rockwood Pond was stunning and like a postcard with the changing color of the leaves. As far as finding the trail head, that one is easy. Set your GPS to McCallister Road, Fitzwilliam and you can't miss it. You can see the gate and a sign that directs you to the start of the trail. I will continue on the trail from Troy and write a second review.

Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail

Not for road, hybrid, cyclocross!

October, 2017 by truedoc

Very much disappointed. From Keen, I both tried for this trail and Cheshire trail, too. Compared to other trails in other states, these two rails are both so poor in views and surface conditions except first 5 miles. Only good for MTB!

Mass Central Rail Trail

Beautiful soft running trail

October, 2017 by alicemark.md

This is a lovely quiet running trail with a smooth, wide, soft dirt surface. Park in the lot off of Thomas Street and then run - it's a slight incline going up that you don't notice until you turn around and come back and are cooking. An absolutely beautiful run through the forest and next to water!! No dogs allowed in some sections so leave the pupper at home.

Mass Central Rail Trail

Dogs Allowed (in spots)

October, 2017 by bolts222

While there are portions of the frail where dogs are not allowed there are other portions where you CAN bring your dog. The area of the trail between Barre and Rutland is dog friendly. From the parking lot off of Rt. 140 in West Boylston you can bring a dog about half way up that portion of the trail. The dog walking portion is about a mile and a half each way.

Ware River Rail-Trail

Could be Better

October, 2017 by bolts222

Rode his trail on 10/2/17 from 122 up to 2A and back. I agree with the prior post in a sense that it is a tough trial to ride on anything but a mountain bike. There is a lot of sand, especially in the northern areas. I’m in pretty good shape but my muscles were screaming too.
On the other hand there is some nice scenery. I did it it’s out of my system. Glad I did but I’ll not ride it again. But it was a good workout.

Cheshire Rail Trail (Cheshire Branch Rail Trail)

changing terrain

October, 2017 by bicycle67

Biked Cheshire and Ashuelot late Sept 2017. Parts were in good, not great condition, some mud, rocks, narrow grassy trail. huge mud puddle about 9 miles into Cheshire trail. Its Access point at NH-MA line impossible to find. Had to go to Keene to find trails.

North Central Pathway

Nice and fun ride.

October, 2017 by ellenkillam

This was a nice ride and major thanks to the directions from majorstratdude. One correction, step 4 there was only 3 miles not 6. We saw a huge turtle in one of the marshes along the way. Make sure to bring the directions with you.

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