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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, the state’s largest city. Travelers will find lakes and forests here, as well as former mill towns where they can stock up, relax, or visit historic buildings and relics left over from the railroad days.
About the trail
The first 2 miles of trail in Manchester are paved, while gravel or crushed rock covers the rest. There are few at-grade road intersections east of town, as the old railbed passes beneath the roads. Some of these underpasses have low ceilings, however, as the bottom of the culverts are planked with wood, so cyclists and equestrians should be prepared to dismount. In winter cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and dogsledding are permitted.
Leaving off at the paved trail at Mammoth Road/SR 28A, trail users head east for 0.9 miles to a tunnel under I-93/SR 101. The trail turns to packed gravel at Lake Shore Road (mile 2). In another 0.5 mile0.5-miles, trail users will arrive at the trailhead for 2,500-acre Massabesic Lake, the source of water for Manchester. It’s also home to deer, foxes, loons, and other wildlife. This is a popular trailhead for the rail-trail because of adequate parking and the scenic location. Motorized use is prohibited west of here in Manchester. About 8.5 miles from the Massabesic Lake trailhead, trail users will cross paths with railroad history at a marker for the demolished site of an 1889 railroad station on Depot Road in East Candia. The railbed rises above the forest floor in places here, while other stretches thread through high-walled cuts blasted through New Hampshire’s famous granite.
4 miles from East Candia is a surviving railroad station in Raymond. There, trail users will find plenty of places for food and refreshment near the depot and on the outskirts of town in 1 mile. The last 7.3 miles passes through more forestland and ends at the still-standing circa 1891 Rockingham Junction railroad station, which served the Boston and Maine Railroad’s Main Line and Portsmouth Branch. Trains operated by Pan Am Railways still pass this station.
Trail history
The Boston and Maine Railroad was the last to run trains on the Portsmouth Branch between Newfields and Manchester, selling the corridor to the state in 1988. The oldest railway section dates to about 1850 and was built by the Portsmouth and Concord Railroad. Succeeding railroads finished other sections of the Portsmouth Branch to Manchester in the early 1860s. The eastern section of the branch from Newfields to Portsmouth is still in service, while service to Epping, Raymond, Candia, Auburn, and Manchester ended in 1982.
4 miles west of East Candia, trail users will find a surviving railroad station in Raymond. Originally built in 1893 and restored by the Raymond Historical Society, the station features local museum collections inside and railroad relics, such as a locomotive, a caboose, and a push car, outside.
Connections
4.7 miles east of the western endpoint, the trail reaches a junction with the Fremont Branch of the Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail.
Parking and Trail Access
The Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail (Portsmouth Branch) runs between Tarrytown Rd (Hallsville) and Rockingham Jct Rd (Newfields).
Parking is available at:
There are numerous parking options along the route, please see TrailLink Map for all options and detailed directions.
Gorgeous trail to ride a gravel bike from Epping to Fremont (5mi). The Fremont to Derry (rt 28) section is heavily utilized by ATV's and trail bikes, resulting in about 13 miles of loose sand (some areas were about 2" deep) with small oasis's of packed dirt, it's doable - but not pleasant. The last mile from rt 28 to the Windham rail trail is lovely to ride. The Sandown train depot looks to be worth checking out (a museum, open on Saturdays), but they were closed when I went by.
Trail is great for anything but hybrid bikes, ie, walking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sledding. It is dirt, sand, loose stones, hidden boulders, and tree roots as well as metal hazards and horse manure piles. Beautiful views, when you can take your eyes off of the path in front of you, and shaded.
The trail is extremely sandy. Some parts are packed sand but many sections are like the beach. Great for ATVs, I suppose. Not great for bikes, even a mountain bike. If you do choose a mountain bike, do know that ATVs will be frequently passing you.
Went to epping with ATV says no ATV only winter time . App doesn't mention that
Started in Epping went as far as Fremont then back. 3 1/2 hours round trip. Nice views of wet lands and forest.
My son and I love riding this on our dirt bikes. Wide and easy to ride, perfect place for a new rider to get comfortable. Plenty of other people on bicycles, hikers, ATVs and dirt bikes on the trail, everyone was friendly and courteous to give each other room. It’s nice having a place like this to spend time with my son.
I was so excited to spend my June birthday on the trail! The site reads an ATV trail only to unload and start out just to see a sign ATV use in winter months only on snow cover. Why was this not listed???
I enjoyed this small trek
The trail is nice from Epping to Fremont...that section is closed to ATVs and in the Fall, offers a stunning 'tunnel through the woods' for a ride. At Fremont...across from the Library...the large parking lot makes it easy to park your trailer and get your ATV ready. Consequently, the trail is completely torn up and virtually impassible for bikes: I'm on 1.5 inch 'knobby' tires and still can't maintain traction in the soft sand.
This trail has a massive potential – a viable trail from Manchester to Portsmouth through some interesting scenery and wildlife.
We parked at Sandown, hoping to walk a few miles one afternoon, and were bitterly disappointed. The trail consisted of a churned up, impassable surface, for either walking or biking and neglected artifacts. It was also a haven for ATVs.
The first thing we saw were a couple of ATV’s driven by kids who were out for a good time with absolutely no regard for other trail users. Apparently the ATVs are credited with keeping the trail clear in winter. One wonders for whom – certainly not for walkers or bikers. The usual trail rules seem to be completely inverted - give way to ATVs or risk being mown down.
This, unfortunately, is not the first trail in NH where we have seen this happen.
New Hampshire is unfortunately known for neglecting its rail trails. The trails there have great potential, with great scenery and abundant wildlife, but most are falling into decay.
In short, if you want a decent passable trail, go elsewhere.
Fun trail. Point to point 24miles. Stay on trail if u have an all terrain vehicle. Nice views.
Scenery is nice throughout this forest walk, but the road, especially on the southern side of the trail, is quite soft and uneven which could be challenging to some walkers or joggers. if forced to choose, I would recommend the Rockingham Portsmouth Branch trail over the Fremont, but the Fremont Branch is certainly worth giving a shot as well.
Starts ok near the Windham Depot however about 1 mile or so in its very sandy and difficult to ride on.
Promising start at Windham Junction but by 2.5 miles became impossible.
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