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Peterborough, NH Cross Country Skiing Trails and Maps

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Looking for the best Cross Country Skiing trails around Peterborough?

Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Peterborough, 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.

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Name
Length
Most Popular

Assabet River Rail Trail

10.4 mi

State: MA

Asphalt

Blackstone River Greenway

31.6 mi

State: MA, RI

Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone, Dirt

Border to Boston Trail

44.1 mi

State: MA

Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt

Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

20.1 mi

State: MA

Asphalt

Charles River Bike Path

23.4 mi

State: MA

Asphalt

Derry Rail Trail

3.6 mi

State: NH

Asphalt

Goffstown Rail Trail

5.5 mi

State: NH

Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand

Groveland Community Trail

3.25 mi

State: MA

Asphalt

Haggetts Rail Trail

2 mi

State: MA

Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass

Head's Pond Trail

1.75 mi

State: NH

Gravel

Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail

1.58 mi

State: NH

Asphalt

Londonderry Rail Trail

4.6 mi

State: NH

Asphalt

Mass Central Rail Trail

64 mi

State: MA

Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Merrimack River Greenway Trail

0.33 mi

State: NH

Asphalt

Middleton Rail Trail

4.5 mi

State: MA

Crushed Stone

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

New Boston Rail Trail

3.9 mi

State: NH

Dirt

Accordion

Northern Rail Trail

59 mi

State: NH

Cinder, Crushed Stone

South Spencer Rail Trail

1.62 mi

State: MA

Crushed Stone

West River Trail (Windham County)

16.1 mi

State: VT

Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel, Sand

Windham Rail Trail

4.3 mi

State: NH

Asphalt

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

Mason Railroad Trail

6.7 mi

State: NH

Ballast, Gravel, Sand

Narrow-Gauge Rail-Trail

3 mi

State: MA

Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt

North Central Pathway

11.2 mi

State: MA

Asphalt

Old Railroad Trail (NH)

2.7 mi

State: NH

Dirt

Reformatory Branch Trail

3.9 mi

State: MA

Dirt

Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail (Fremont Branch)

18.3 mi

State: NH

Dirt, Sand

Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail (Portsmouth Branch)

28 mi

State: NH

Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand

Squannacook River Rail Trail

3.7 mi

State: MA

Crushed Stone

Sugar River Trail

9.5 mi

State: NH

Ballast, Gravel, Sand

Toonerville Rail-Trail

3.2 mi

State: VT

Asphalt

Tri-Community Greenway

10.6 mi

State: MA

Asphalt

Winnipesaukee River Trail

4.94 mi

State: NH

Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Brookline Rail Trail

4.5 mi

State: NH

Crushed Stone, Gravel

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

Village Spur Rail Trail

2.1 mi

State: NH

Asphalt, Dirt, Grass

Catamount Trail - Sections 1 and 2

18.1 mi

State: VT

Dirt

Trail Image	Trail Name	States	Length	Surface	Rating
	Assabet River Rail Trail 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 escape for...	MA	10.4 mi	Asphalt	50 reviews
	Blackstone River Greenway 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 transportation of...	MA, RI	31.6 mi	Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone, Dirt	99 reviews
	Border to Boston Trail The Border to Boston Trail is a developing trail network that will stretch 70 miles between the New Hampshire border and Boston—providing a continuous route for a variety of non-motorized uses...	MA	44.1 mi	Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt	48 reviews
	Bruce Freeman Rail Trail 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 wide. About the...	MA	20.1 mi	Asphalt	75 reviews
	Charles River Bike Path The Charles River Bike Path, also referred to as the Charles River Greenway, offers a paved, 23-mile route from Boston to its western suburbs. About the Route A large section of the trail,...	MA	23.4 mi	Asphalt	17 reviews
	Derry Rail Trail 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 southern...	NH	3.6 mi	Asphalt	27 reviews
	Goffstown Rail Trail 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	16 reviews
	Groveland Community Trail Running through the town of Groveland for 3.25 miles, this multiuse path provides a variety of opportunities for both recreational and transportations as it connects residential neighborhoods,...	MA	3.25 mi	Asphalt	2 reviews
	Haggetts Rail Trail The Haggetts Rail Trail is a short, but sweet unpaved trail located on the periphery of Haggetts Pond, the local reservoir for the nearby town of Andover. Built on part of the former line of the...	MA	2 mi	Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass	5 reviews
	Head's Pond Trail The Head’s Pond Trail (formerly known as Hooksett Rail Trail) is a 1.9-mile rail-trail that visits two scenic ponds, including the eponymous Head’s Pond, in a woodsy area of Hooksett. The trail’s...	NH	1.75 mi	Gravel	5 reviews
	Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail Lake Winnisquam is New Hampshire’s fourth largest lake, and taking the Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail is one of the best ways to experience it. Meaning “pleasant waters,” Lake Winnisquam provides...	NH	1.58 mi	Asphalt	6 reviews
	Londonderry Rail Trail 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 and Lawrence...	NH	4.6 mi	Asphalt	18 reviews
	Mass Central Rail Trail 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 64 miles between...	MA	64 mi	Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel	95 reviews
	Merrimack River Greenway Trail The Merrimack River Greenway Trail (MRGT) will stretch from Boscawen southward through Concord to Pembroke, offering scenic views of the Merrimack River, the city and the surrounding landscapes. The...	NH	0.33 mi	Asphalt	1 reviews
	Middleton Rail Trail The Middleton Rail Trail is a trail along the former Essex Railroad. The trail stretches 4.5 miles from the North Andover border, through the town, and will eventually join the Danvers Rail...	MA	4.5 mi	Crushed Stone	3 reviews
	Mine Falls Park Trails 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 in the heart...	NH	9.7 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass	12 reviews
	Minuteman Commuter Bikeway Closure Notice: The Minuteman Commuter Bikeway is experiencing weekday closures between Bow St. and Maple St. through Spring 2026, but the trail will remain open during weekend hours. For many...	MA	10.1 mi	Asphalt	51 reviews
	Monadnock Recreational Rail Trail 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	22 reviews
	Nashua River Rail Trail 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 former rail...	MA, NH	12.4 mi	Asphalt	163 reviews
	New Boston Rail Trail 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	9 reviews

Accordion

Northern Rail Trail The Northern Rail Trail is New Hampshire’s longest rail-trail conversion, spanning 59 meticulously maintained miles, weaving along corn and hay fields, lakes, wetlands, and numerous historic sites,...	NH	59 mi	Cinder, Crushed Stone	77 reviews
South Spencer Rail Trail 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	5 reviews
West River Trail (Windham County) 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	15 reviews
Windham Rail Trail The Windham Rail Trail passes through the woodsy periphery of Windham in southern New Hampshire, but it sits in the heart of the future cross-state Granite State Rail Trail. The trail is 4.3 miles...	NH	4.3 mi	Asphalt	49 reviews
Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail 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 information. The...	NH	21.4 mi	Asphalt, Ballast, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt	46 reviews
Cheshire Rail Trail (Cheshire Branch Rail Trail) 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 uses,...	NH	42.4 mi	Asphalt, Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Gravel, Sand	48 reviews
Common Pathway 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	9 reviews
Fort Hill Recreational Rail Trail 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	14 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	19 reviews
Narrow-Gauge Rail-Trail Although the Narrow-Gauge Rail Trail traces New England’s first narrow-gauge railroad for 3 miles from Bedford toward Billerica, the mostly crushed-stone path is now plenty wide enough to accommodate...	MA	3 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt	22 reviews
North Central Pathway 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	27 reviews
Old Railroad Trail (NH) 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	3 reviews
Reformatory Branch Trail 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	18 reviews
Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail (Fremont Branch) Crossing through wooded areas and featuring magnificent wetland vistas, the Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail (Fremont Branch) offers an 18.3-mile trail adventure from Epping to Windham. The northern...	NH	18.3 mi	Dirt, Sand	16 reviews
Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail (Portsmouth Branch) 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, the state’s...	NH	28 mi	Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand	66 reviews
Squannacook River Rail Trail 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	3 reviews
Sugar River Trail The Sugar River Trail runs for 9.5 miles between Claremont and Newport along the old Sugar River Railroad corridor. The 9.5-mile trail crosses its namesake river seven times—twice on covered...	NH	9.5 mi	Ballast, Gravel, Sand	34 reviews
Toonerville Rail-Trail 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	8 reviews
Tri-Community Greenway The Tri-Community Greenway is a 10.6-mile multiuse trail that connects Stoneham, Woburn and Winchester. Part of the route runs along a former railroad corridor. About the Route At its southern...	MA	10.6 mi	Asphalt	3 reviews
Winnipesaukee River Trail The Winnipesaukee River Trail runs for nearly 5 miles between the towns of Franklin and Tilton, nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. About the Route The Winnipesaukee River Trail...	NH	4.94 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel	25 reviews
Brookline Rail Trail 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	1 reviews
Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail 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	2 reviews
Granite Town Rail-Trail 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 found along...	NH	3 mi	Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand	4 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	11 reviews
Village Spur Rail Trail The Village Spur Rail Trail begins in downtown Belmont, and stretches from behind the Belmont Mill to the Tioga River on the west side of South Road. Out and back for the entire trail is about four...	NH	2.1 mi	Asphalt, Dirt, Grass	2 reviews
Catamount Trail - Sections 1 and 2 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	1 reviews

Recent Trail Reviews

Twin Cities Rail Trail

A few too many crossings at the Leominster end, but its a fine trail. Last quarter mile or so on the Fitchburg end isnt so much a trail as it is street riding.

September, 2026 by cedwardpierce923

A few too many crossings at the Leominster end, but its a fine trail. Last quarter mile or so on the Fitchburg end isnt so much a trail as it is street riding.

Village Spur Rail Trail

Short but Sweet

August, 2026 by sc302

This trail is a 4-mile (round trip) trail in Belmont. Although short, it is clean, well cared for, and packed with treasures and great views. The trail has plenty of parking and includes a book trail for kids, two covered bridges, a cornfield, small water views, seating options, and fields of flowers. Although I found the four gates to be part of the adventure of checking out a trail for the first time, some people may not appreciate having to get off and on their bike. However, the trail does go through a private farm, so be respectful and enjoy the views as you navigate each gate.

Northern Rail Trail

Could Use More Investment

August, 2026 by trylondm

I was involved with the development of this trail so my review is somewhat biased. The eastern half in Merrimack County (Danbury to Boscawen) is in beautiful shape (due to federal financing) with a nice stone dust surface. The western half (Grafton to Lebanon) is much more scenic but was done mostly by volunteers with some local funding so has a highly variable surface, great in areas and poor in others.

Highlights include the trail in Lebanon as it crisscrosses the Mascoma River, in Enfield where it runs several miles alongside Lake Mascoma and downtown, and all of Merrimack County thanks to its trail surface.

I dearly wanted to give it a 5-star rating but had to admit that it was a bit of a slog going through the central (and high point) towns of Grafton and Orange. Wish the state of New Hampshire would put some resources into this trail, which would truly make it a premiere destination and top-rated trail.

Accordion

Charles River Bike Path

Skip the Western End

August, 2026 by trylondm

This trail gets better and better as you get closer to downtown Boston. It also gets more crowded. Very scenic with lots of views of the river and such, but as always in Boston, there will be detours here and there due to construction. Probably gets better the more times you ride it and get to know its quirks. Not a trail if you are looking for speedy biking due to the number of pedestrians, runners, and other folks - it is certainly well-loved by Bostonians!

Western end beyond the Galen Bridge to Waltham gets squirrelly with odd and sometimes confusing routing and signage - not recommended unless you've got all day like I did.

Nashua River Rail Trail

Still a 5 Star Trail

August, 2026 by trylondm

Yes, the comments about all the root heaves along the paved trail are true, but otherwise a very attractive ride. The TrailLink description is very accurate. Might be special in foliage season.

Catamount Trail - Sections 1 and 2

Catamount Trail Section 2

August, 2026 by awrootbeer

If you are a dedicated mountain biker than this would be a 5 star. Don't do this trail if you don't have a mountain bike or those fat tires. I was on a mountain bike, and my son had a regular bike. The beginning of the trail is easy and lovely. Once you connect with the trail (beautiful water views) the trail becomes mostly rock with some sand. Passed 1.8 miles the trail is impassable with our bikes. Somehow we made it out and back without falls or bike damage. I have biked other ski trails that were more compacted sand and dirt with some rock. This is not that kind of trail.

Sugar River Trail

Easy bike ride & beautiful nature

August, 2026 by sandal.brownell

We rode mountain bikes from Claremont to Newport. Nice easy ride. Only met a few others on the trail. We saw a blue heron, 2 hawks, blue jays, and beautiful mushrooms. There were spots on the trail that had a good bit of gnats. The covered bridges are wonderful.

Methuen Rail Trail

Important future connection

August, 2026 by dh7yh9mwbz

Pretty nice, short portion of paved trail. I parked at IHOP to check it out, lots of parking. Methuen did a good job with their section, now is time for Lawrence and Salem to pave their sections to connect with Windham and Derry. With just this one section finished it is likely only locals that currently use it but it will be great when it is part of the larger network.

Londonderry Rail Trail

Good piece to larger network

August, 2026 by dh7yh9mwbz

I have ridden the Methuen/Salem/Windham/Derry links of this former rail line and today did this section. It is flat, nicely paved with good parking options, traveling through some suburban and commercial stretches, a few wooded areas, even past a former reservoir but is mostly uninteresting. However, when the missing pieces are connected, and the embarrassingly poor Salem section is finally paved it will be great to travel all the way from the Lawrence, MA line to at least Manchester airport and then hopefully on to Lebanon some day.

Mass Central Rail Trail

Hadley to EastHampton- Norwottuck Rail Trail

August, 2026 by jlwinetrout

Beautiful 1st ride on the Norwottuck Rail Trail. We parked at the Marshalls in Hadley (trail starts right behind the building) and road a little over 10 miles into EastHampton and back. It was a very easy ride (my 1st ride of this length) on asphalt.

Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail

Rough ride

July, 2026 by mroschella

Trail lacked any evidence of maintenance. Rode from Hinsdale to Winchester.

Nashua River Rail Trail

Nice but bumpy

July, 2026 by ellenkillam

I haven't been on this trail for a few years so was disappointed to find there is still an issue with bumps from tree roots and small sink holes. I did not do the entire trail because of this. It is too bad because it is a nice trail.

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