Find the top rated horseback riding trails in Portsmouth, whether you're looking for an easy short horseback riding trail or a long horseback riding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a horseback riding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
rode 7-30-25 parked at Symmes Dr in bus depot lot - no directions for where to park. Mile markers are facing the trail, instead of perpendicular , so they can't be easily read while riding - missed a few along the way. Also signage at entrance areas should include direction and milage to either end. Thought we could hook up to the Derry trail, but that didn't happen - couldn't find it - again, signs would help !
Rode on 7-26-25 Needs mile markers at Windham end. Slight incline from Salem to Windham. The Windham trail is paved, but turns to dirt when you reach the Salem trail. Turned around and rode back to Windham.
It is a great trail for all seasons. Parking available in Ayer, Groton, Pepperell and Nashua
It is a very well maintained trail. My favorite part is between the heart pond and the NARA park. More road crossing beyond that region in both directions
It’s my go to trail because it’s so close to my house ! you can walk down close to the river it’s cute . i always get to see ducks in the pond
Wife & I completed the Minuteman Trail & I wanted to do either the Narrow Gauge Trail or the Reformatory Trail. Wife headed for the Bedford library while I set off for the Narrow Gauge Trail. Trail was in good shape & I was prepared for the surface conditions associated with crushed stone. What caused me confusion was a lack of trail markings. I rode for about 20 minutes or so & eventually came to a gate, which was in the open position. I wasn't sure if this was the end of the trail (and still unsure at this point). I looked for signs, etc & saw none. The trail appeared to continue, but it's condition was much less pristine i.e. large ruts and valleys. I rode for what seemed like another mile until I came to a paved road & straight ahead was a paved road with a "Private Road" sign. I exited here & took surface streets back into Bedford. I am giving the trail a 2 star rating; better signage would increase my evaluation.
In Boston area last week for a conference and decided to try out the Minuteman Trail. Spouse and I have been enjoying bike/rail trails over the past few years and usually one of the first things we check out when traveling to a new area. Trail was in great shape & was as good as expected. Being summer, it was pretty hot weather but the trail provided ample shade for us to stay cool. Particularly appreciated the history of the trail, and it's relevance to Paul Revere's late night ride. This was our first time in the Greater Boston area, as we're from North Carolina. All in all, a good ride and fun experience.
Very poor it's not what it say you have barriers that you can't fit a trike through needs a lot of work Very little pavement on it.
Rode the trail on Saturday 7/5/25. Liked that it was well shaded, rode by water, not many cross overs where you had to stop for cars and not crowded. I liked the trees on both sides. My only complaint would be you really need to make sure you have front end suspension when riding as there are alot of tree roots growing up under the asphalt- bumpy- outside of that it was a great ride!
Great trail. Bad culverts!!!
I bike rode Rockingham Rail Trail, Portsmouth branch for the first time today 6/29/25. Headed from Manchester east out 15 miles and back. Very nice trail, good base and I enjoyed the trail very much. HOWEVER, those underpass culverts 7-8 miles east of Manchester are DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS!!!!! Very low clearance, terrible visibility, and a deteriorated and uneven riding platform all contribute to a recipe for a terrible accident and injury. I am a good rider, and I crashed today. I was barely creeping along and fortunately I was not seriously Injured. Something needs to be done to make these less dangerous. I do not know who is responsible for maintaining these underpass culverts, but please consider my concerns. I would volunteer to assist in improving these hazards. Reread the description and walking bikes in these culverts was recommended and I would agree. On site signage would be a good idea also. The trail gets 5 stars the culverts get 0 stars.
The Nashua River Rail Trail is terrific. It's long, smooth, well-maintained, and beautiful. Since it lies in a relatively rural part of Massachusetts, I find it to be a lower-key ride than its eastern cousin, the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, but still well-used. There's less to see and do along it, but that might be exactly what you're looking for. Wholeheartedly recommended.
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