Explore the best rated trails in Bristol, NH, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Cross Vermont Trail and Northern Rail Trail . With more than 52 trails covering 488 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
e-Bike with 2" tires. The trail adjoins Peterborough (Common Path) RT. Rough trail with roots and rocks, so speeds above 10 are impossible to maintain. On a positive note, you really feel like you are in the woods. We were able to go slightly longer than the miles posted. A tiring short ride, but doable. Wife hated it, as too bumpy. Recommendation: ride Peterborough (Common Path) first as it is much easier.
Biked in October on e-bikes with 2" tires. From 33 Chestnut St (Dover). Went S (1 mile) and back then N (3 miles) and back. South is as much town as trail and is well paved. It also is tricky to find your way on the trail as it goes through the back of stores. We found someone to follow. The trip north is mostly dirt terrain and has many rocks and sewer caps. The trail varied from narrow to wide and had 2-spots where continuance was difficult to find, including spots by the bridge and a private drive (trail is on right of fence). You cannot maintain speeds over 12 mph on this part of the trail. Whereas, I didn't mind picking my way through the terrain, my wife hated it.
A real rail trail.¿ A little danger if you hit the rails.¿ You move from within, to the sides a lot. Worth the risk. Great scenery and condition. Biked with e-bike with 2.1" tires. Expect Wolfeboro to be crowded during summer and fall weekends. After the 12-mile ride to Wolfeboro, there are many wonderful places to stop for a bite to eat and drink. Of 20 Rail Trials we rode in October, this was one of the top two crushed stone trails we rode in NH.
Short, but there are some local add-on trails at both ends of the trail. Add on trails are mostly dirt and mostly for mountain bikes but our e-bikes allowed us to add a mile to the adventure.
We started in Manchester and rode east. The first 3 miles the surface was packed gravel with fall leaves but no rocks. We rode another 2 miles and found the path very bumpy with thicker gravel and rocks protruding. We have 2 inch tires but it wasn’t fun for us. We wanted to bike to Raymond but turned around. We have biked on other packed trails in NH without any issues but this path was worse after 3 miles.
My wife and I are both injured(fortunately not serious) after both of us thrown off our bikes simultaneously on a small poorly surfaced wooden bridge just north of Keene NH. The wooden boards were uneven and some rotted causing our bikes to wedge in a step-off causing us both to fall off our bikes. The trail had several road crossings just outside of the town of Keene which are very dangerous. There are tiny stop sign markings on the trail and no large or blinking light warnings on the crossing roads which have poor visibility in both directions due to curving of the road. I would not recommend this trail for transient travelers trying a new RT on vacation. This is for locals only who know the trail well in my opinion.
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