Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in New Hampshire, 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.
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.
Trail lacked any evidence of maintenance. Rode from Hinsdale to Winchester.
This trail has two very different parts, and you should choose carefully or you'll be disappointed. Many of the reviews here are for horse riding, including in winter, which requires very different conditions than biking. We biked in summer starting from Jefferson on Mountain Bikes (a trail/hybrid would work as well but not a road bike.)
First part: Jefferson - Gorham: gorgeous, well maintained, nothing but cyclists and some fishermen and hikers. The trail is well marked, well maintained and a real joy. It is varied, going through forests or near/over streams, with many opportunities to freshen up in a swimming hole. 5 stars.
Second part: Goram - Berlin: awful for biking. This is a road, not a trail, with ATVs buzzing up and down on it, covering you in dust, tearing the trail and making the ride very unpleasant, with paddles, cracks and bumps. Except for the occasional excitement of fearing for your life, there's not much there. You'll be biking next to a wide river with no swimming access. 1 star.
We started from Echo Lake parking lot, first going north all the way - not that interesting, and pretty steep. Then went south all the way to the end of the trail - much more fun. On the way back you'll have a lot of climbing, but it's pretty moderate and there are plenty of nice stops along the way. For a perfect ending, finish at the lake!
2.5 stars. Entered the trail a the far western end on Hancock Rd. near Skatutakee Lake. Biked eastward for several miles. Mixed surface (dirt, cinder, sand & forest floor). This trail is rough and best suited for fat-tire or full-suspension mountain bikes. You could do it with a gravel bike but be ready for a very bumpy ride. Partially buried track ties and roots cover roughly over a 3rd of this segment of the trail. The swamps and brook are absolutely beautiful. There are a few benches for a peaceful stop. The trail has a gentle decline most of the way so be prepared for the uphill on the return trip. Mostly shaded so sunscreen isn't needed but bug spray might be a good idea if stopping for prolonged periods. The bridges are beautiful & well maintained. The signage is discreet & informative. This is a wonderful all season trail that I plan to return to in foliage season. It has a lot of potential but in its current condition it has a LONG way to go to become a destination that will attract tourists & generate $$$ for the local economy.
The trail in the north is 80-90% full sun exposure in the summer. Just be aware if you're going out for a long run. It did start to get shady about 2 miles after the skate park.
There's another couple of miles of mostly paved trail that goes beyond the parking lot in Lebanon. That's an excellent section of the trail. It took us all the way to Glen Road in West Lebanon.
I parked at the Delta Dental stadium and proceeded south in this trail. I was alone. I saw some unhoused people’s tents by the water. At first I felt fine, I saw another woman walking her dog, but there wee very few people on the path. The a person passed me on a bike and then circled back to me, following me. I felt unsafe. I wanted to keep going, but it was clear to me this person would following me. I had to quickly retreat to my car. I don’t usually feel vulnerable, and I was terrified. Later I told a local friend about my experience and she told me that recently a person had abandoned their baby on this trail, aka it’s not a safe place to walk by yourself, especially as a wow man.
I'd ridden this trail a couple years ago, doing it in small sections, and had found it to be a nice ride with a decent surface, quite reasonable for my older hybrid. I only did about 6 miles today, from Keene southward before turning back, and those couple of detours noted in another review are still in place - taking you out onto the road for short stretches likely to avoid power line work being done.
I parked on 4th street and headed up stream. Met one dog walker along this stretch. The calm river views were peaceful and the trail mostly wide gravel. Crossing over Whittier St the trail becomes narrower with a challenging set of turns to go under RTE 16. The river becomes more lively and there is a nice view of rapids. The trail widens with more gravel when you reach the parking lot on Watson Road. I met several more dog walkers along this stretch
It’s spring on the Rockingham and everything is in bloom! Lots is rocks blooming in the trail as well, so be careful. The horses have really chewed up the surface just past Chiver’s Pond towards Manchester - really lumpy and washboarded. It makes for some uncomfortable bicycling. All in all still a very pretty trail with lots to see along the way.
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