New Hampshire Cross Country Skiing Trails and Maps

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Looking for the best Cross Country Skiing trails around New Hampshire?

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.

City Trails and Maps in New Hampshire

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Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
50 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Derry Rail Trail

3.6 mi
State: NH
Asphalt

Goffstown Rail Trail

5.5 mi
State: NH
Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand

Guinea Pond and Flat Mountain Trails

11.5 mi
State: NH
Ballast, Dirt, Grass

Head's Pond Trail

1.75 mi
State: NH
Gravel

Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail

1.58 mi
State: NH
Asphalt

Lincoln Woods Trail

2.7 mi
State: NH
Ballast

Londonderry Rail Trail

4.6 mi
State: NH
Asphalt

Mascoma River Greenway

2.78 mi
State: NH
Asphalt, Gravel

Mine Falls Park Trails

9.7 mi
State: NH
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass

Monadnock Recreational Rail Trail

7.5 mi
State: NH
Asphalt, Gravel

Nashua River Rail Trail

12.4 mi
State: MA, NH
Asphalt

Northern Rail Trail

57.8 mi
State: NH
Cinder, Crushed Stone

Presidential Rail Trail

19.2 mi
State: NH
Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand

Sawyer River Trail / Sawyer River Road

7.5 mi
State: NH
Ballast, Dirt, Grass, Sand

Upper Coos Recreational Trail

10.5 mi
State: NH
Ballast, Cinder

Windham Rail Trail

4.3 mi
State: NH
Asphalt

Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail

21.4 mi
State: NH
Asphalt, Ballast, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt

Blackmount Rail Trail

5 mi
State: NH
Cinder, Gravel, Woodchips

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
Accordion

Conway Branch

21 mi
State: NH
Ballast, Gravel

Cotton Valley Rail Trail

12 mi
State: NH
Gravel

Dover Community Trail

4.2 mi
State: NH
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt

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

New Boston Rail Trail

3.9 mi
State: NH
Dirt

New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway

8 mi
State: NH
Crushed Stone

Old Railroad Trail

2.7 mi
State: NH
Dirt

Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail (Portsmouth Branch)

28 mi
State: NH
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand

Sugar River Trail

9.5 mi
State: NH
Ballast, Gravel, Sand

WOW Trail

2.7 mi
State: NH
Asphalt

Winnipesaukee River Trail

4.94 mi
State: NH
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Ammonoosuc Rail Trail

23.46 mi
State: NH
Ballast, Dirt, Gravel, Sand

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

Farmington Recreational Rail-Trail

6 mi
State: NH
Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Gravel, Sand

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

West Milan Trail

4.5 mi
State: NH
Gravel

Village Spur Rail Trail

2.1 mi
State: NH
Asphalt, Dirt, Grass

Black Pond Trail

0.8 mi
State: NH
Dirt

Franconia Brook Trail

7.2 mi
State: NH
Ballast

Merrimack River Greenway Trail

0.33 mi
State: NH
Asphalt

Nanamocomuck Trail

12 mi
State: NH
Ballast

Oliverian Brook Trail

3.5 mi
State: NH
Dirt

Profile Recreational Rail Trail

2.3 mi
State: NH
Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand

Rocky Branch Trail (NH)

9 mi
State: NH
Dirt, Gravel

Wild River Trail

15 mi
State: NH
Dirt, Gravel
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Overview 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...
NH 3.6 mi Asphalt
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
These connecting trails follow the bed of the old Beebe River Railroad up to Flat Mountain Pond, a large, remote pool high in the Sandwich Range Wilderness. This is a great trip for advanced mountain...
NH 11.5 mi Ballast, Dirt, Grass
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
Overview 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...
NH 1.58 mi Asphalt
The Lincoln Woods Trail runs for 2.6 miles along the east branch of the Pemigewasset River. You can combine the trail with other trails that run through the forest in the White Mountains of New...
NH 2.7 mi Ballast
Overview  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...
NH 4.6 mi Asphalt
The Mascoma River Greenway is a planned 4-mile rail-trail through the heart of Lebanon. The paved, multiuse trail is currently 2.78 miles, offering a pleasant opportunity for both recreation and...
NH 2.78 mi Asphalt, Gravel
Overview 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...
NH 9.7 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass
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
Overview 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...
MA, NH 12.4 mi Asphalt
Overview Spanning nearly 58 miles from Lebanon to Boscawen, the Northern Rail Trail is New Hampshire’s longest rail-trail conversion. It weaves through Grafton and Merrimack counties and is less...
NH 57.8 mi Cinder, Crushed Stone
Overview Skirting the northern edge of the White Mountains’ Presidential Range, the Presidential Rail Trail offers over 19 miles of stunning views of mountain peaks and their surrounding nature....
NH 19.2 mi Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand
The Sawyer River Trail/Sawyer River Road lies deep in the forested heart of the 1,200-square-mile White Mountain National Forest. The 7.5-mile route traces an old logging railroad that’s now part...
NH 7.5 mi Ballast, Dirt, Grass, Sand
The wildly scenic Upper Coos Recreational Trail parallels the Connecticut River, which divides New Hampshire and Vermont. The rail-trail begins in Colebrook and travels north to Beecher Falls near the...
NH 10.5 mi Ballast, Cinder
Overview 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...
NH 4.3 mi Asphalt
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...
NH 21.4 mi Asphalt, Ballast, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt
In Woodsville the trail starts across from the Subway Restaurant across from the the Oceans Job Lot Store and next to the Woodsville Machine Shop and YES Yankee Electrical Supply up and down a short...
NH 5 mi Cinder, Gravel, Woodchips
Overview 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...
NH 42.4 mi Asphalt, Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Gravel, Sand
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
Accordion
The Conway Branch trail runs for 21 miles along an old rail corridor between State Route 113 in Conway and Polly's Crossing in Ossipee. The trail is popular with snowmobiles and rail car clubs; the...
NH 21 mi Ballast, Gravel
Overview The Cotton Valley Rail Trail connects the small town of Wakefield, near the Maine border, and the quintessentially quaint New England vacation town of Wolfeboro. In 2017 the towns held a...
NH 12 mi Gravel
Overview The Dover Community Trail snakes its way through the heart of the Garrison City—so nicknamed for the fortified log houses, or garrisons, built by 17th-century settlers—-offering a variety...
NH 4.2 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt
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
The Mason Railroad Trail runs for nearly 7 miles from near the New Hampshire–Massachusetts border (nr. Townsend, MA) to Greenville, NH. The trail follows a heavily wooded corridor through Russell...
NH 6.7 mi Ballast, Gravel, Sand
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
Overview The New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway is an 8-mile rail-trail with a crushed-stone surface that stretches between Portsmouth and the North Hampton/Hampton border. Following a former Pan Am...
NH 8 mi Crushed Stone
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
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
Overview  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,...
NH 28 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand
Overview  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...
NH 9.5 mi Ballast, Gravel, Sand
Overview The WOW Trail is named after the three bodies of water that can be seen from this rail trail: Lake Winnipesaukee, Opechee Bay, and Lake Winnisquam. This picturesque 2.7-mile trail shares a...
NH 2.7 mi Asphalt
Many rail-trails start at a vintage depot, an old caboose, or a rusty locomotive acquired by the local historical society. The Warren to East Haverhill Railroad Grade Trail, however, starts at the...
NH 10.8 mi Dirt
Overview 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...
NH 4.94 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
Overview The Ammonoosuc Rail Trail carries its users for 23.46 miles along the scenic river that shares the trail's name. The river itself is a destination for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. The...
NH 23.46 mi Ballast, Dirt, Gravel, Sand
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
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
The Farmington Recreational Rail-Trail runs for 6 miles between the towns of Rochester and Farmington. The trail parallels the Cocheco River and State Route 11 through a wooded corridor. The trail is...
NH 6 mi Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Gravel, Sand
Overview 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...
NH 3 mi Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand
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
The West Milan Trail follows a portion of the Upper Ammonoosuc River along State Route 110 northwest of Berlin. The mult-use trail is relatively flat and follows a scenic mountain valley...
NH 4.5 mi Gravel
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
The Black Pond Trail itself is short but it can be linked with other trails that run through the forest in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, just northeast of Lincoln. Specifically, the Black Pond...
NH 0.8 mi Dirt
The Franconia Brook Trail runs from just north of the confluence of the east branch of the Pemigewasset River and Franconia Branch. Note that bicycling is not permitted along the route. You can...
NH 7.2 mi Ballast
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
The Upper and Lower Nanamocomuck Trails in White Mountain National Forest are accessible from Kancamagus Highway (SR 112) west of Conway. The trails are open for hiking in summer and cross-country...
NH 12 mi Ballast
The Oliverian Brook Trail follows the course of Oliverian Brook through the dense forest of White Mountain National Forest. The trail, open to cross-country skiing in winter, heads toward Passaconaway...
NH 3.5 mi Dirt
Open for a variety of recreational activities, the Profile Trail is a 1.5-mile multi-use natural surface path in the Town of Bethlehem. Running between US Route 3 and US Route 302, the trail runs...
NH 2.3 mi Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand
Bicycles are permitted only on the first 2.3 miles of the trail, up to the wilderness boundary (marked with signs). Hiking and cross-country skiing only are allowed past this point.
NH 9 mi Dirt, Gravel
Most of the Wild River Trail falls within the Wild River Wilderness and is off-limits to bikes. At it's southern end, the trail meets the Wildcat River Trail, near Bog Brook. From here, you can bike...
NH 15 mi Dirt, Gravel

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Recent Trail Reviews

New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway

New Rail Trail of a decent length - addressing most of costal NH

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Rode this trail several times since mid-September. It is a nice length - 8 miles so not too long for a round trip. It is a new trail with all crushed stone, and it is a straight run and sufficiently wide. The scenery is typical woods. The trail crosses roads 2-3 times that are not too busy and all have lights. The parking lot, which is immediately south of the Airfield Café, is a decent size.  The northern part of the trail ends by Route 1. Although I have not done it, you should be able to find your way into the city of Portsmouth from here using Islington St. or Middle Rd.

New Boston Rail Trail

A surprising find - better than the trail description

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

The trail is much better than described, so it has had an upgrade. The trail is a uniform experience from one end to the other. The trail is gravel / dirt with no roots or rocks. It is slightly narrower than some other trails, giving you the feeling you were deeper in the woods. Most of the trail runs along the Piscataquog River and on the other side of the river is Rt 13 (some road noise). The northern trailhead gets close to the Goffstown Rail Trail and at the trailhead you will find road directions (about 2-miles) to get to that awesome trail. 

Nashua River Rail Trail

Long and fast trail

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Very long for a paved trail and the few road crossings do not have much traffic. There are no more roots coming through the pavement than one would expect, and they all are painted white where they exist. A fast trail. There are towns in both the northern and southern part of the trail to grab food and/or drink. The trail is mostly in Massachusetts.

Accordion

Upper Coos Recreational Trail

Mike

November, 2024 by mikefedosh

We just rode the trail up & back with hybrids. No issues. Good hard pack gravel & sand. Rails & ties are removed. Good food at both trail ends. No one on the trail on first hunting season day.

Salem Bike-Ped Corridor

The north is a great RT and the south funs along a major shopping highway

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Trail connects seamlessly to Windham RT and Methuen RT and these two trails have connections to Derry RT and Spicket River Greenway for a total of 18.75 miles of connected trail.

The northern part of trail is like Windham (excellent), but southern part of trail (1-mile) runs along highway 28 and is not good hardpack (a black dirt gravel).  The trail is wide and protected from vehicles but there are lots of stops to let cars depart from stores along the route (lots of button pushing at traffic lights).

Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail (Portsmouth Branch)

One of the best in the state

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Did on e-bikes with 2" tires in early October. Done in 2-segments of 14 miles each (started in Newfields and then in Manchester and worked way to middle). From Manchester there are several lakes/ponds, so it is more scenic.  Also, this segment has three railbed passes beneath the roads. You can stay on your bike for all but one - watch your head! Also the lead up and down to these tunnels is steep, so get some speed going up to them. From Newfield there are places to eat about 12 miles in.    The trail is mostly crushed stone & some dirt.

Piscataquog Trail

Short trail but a great connector to Goffstown RT

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Started at Delta Dental baseball stadium in Manchester.  Look to quickly go over river and i93 on 2 great bridges.  Seamless into Goffstown Rail Trail.  

Windham Rail Trail

The best of three connected trails

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Part of an excellent run of connected trails including Derry and Salem Bike-Ped. Wide trail with great scenery including water.

Londonderry Rail Trail

One of the best!

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Excellent paved trail. Like Derry it can have lots of people.  Go during non-peak hours. Too bad it doesn't connect to another trail.  We went ¼ mile south of paved trail which was not bad (could only average 8-10 mph and reversed course at a rutted bridge.  One of the best finds of October (we did 24 trails).

Goffstown Rail Trail

Fantastic trail in every way

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Great views along the river.  Great connections to Piscataquog and Heritage trails.  Surprised how quickly we got out of Manchester (started at Delta Dental baseball stadium - this may be on one of the other trails).  Variety of scenery. 

Derry Rail Trail

Part of a great run of connected trails

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

Excellent and scenic trail. It starts just north of town.  Great connection to Windham Rail Trail.  Avoid peek exercise times as many visit this trail.

Common Pathway

Nice trail ride with a great finishing destination

November, 2024 by georgerisktaker

The Common Pathway is also called the Peterborough RT. This RT adjoins the Old Railroad Trail and is about 5 miles north of Monadnock RT (we did all 3 trails the same day). The trail is mostly crushed stone but some asphalt as well as road ride. Some rough spots but no issue. Started at Trailhead for Old Railroad Trail and headed toward Peterborough. It is a nice town with several good eating and drinking places. Good trail and the Contoocook River runs along most of the trail. We did not do the trail south of Peterborough as it went from town, along 202 (traffic at 50+ mph) and was not reviewed as being an interesting ride.

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