Find Trails > New Hampshire > Cotton Valley Rail Trail

Cotton Valley Rail Trail

New Hampshire

68 Reviews

Cotton Valley Rail Trail Facts

States: New Hampshire

Counties: Carroll

Length: 12 miles

Trail end points: Railroad Ave (Wolfeboro) and Wakefield Parks & Recreation Department (132 Meadow St, Wakefield)

Trail surfaces: Gravel

Trail category: Rail-Trail

ID: 6016528

Activities:

Bike Snowmobiling Walking Cross Country Skiing

Go Unlimited

Quick Links:

Quick Links

Cotton Valley Rail Trail Photos

View Classic Gallery | Submit Photo

Cotton Valley Rail Trail Description

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 ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a short segment between Cotton Valley Road in East Wolfeboro and Clark Road in Wakefield—resulting in a continuous 12-mile route.

About the Route

The trail is bookended by wonderful glimpses of its railroad history, making it a must-see for any railcar enthusiast. From the easternmost point in Wakefield, the trail begins at a small park surrounding the old-fashioned Old Boston and Maine Railroad Turntable, which was refurbished in the 1990s for the benefit of riders and park patrons.

The trail makes no bones about its past as a railroad corridor, delightfully switchbacking along either side of the rails and even providing some well-paved opportunities for users to ride between the irons through the canopied northeastern woods. The eastern section includes some small hills that might prove difficult for some.

Continuing west, the Cotton Valley Rail Trail travels on a heavily wooded path leading toward Lake Wentworth. The western portion of the trail is very flat, making it ideal for horseback riding and cross-country skiing. In 3.1 miles, there is a resting point where the trail intersects State Route 109, complete with a restroom, picnic benches, shelter, and the headquarters of the Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club. In 1.3 miles, there is the Albee Beach access point and a short, winding trail portion before finding gorgeous straightaways, including some narrow causeways over beautiful lake basins. The trail passes through the Linda Baldwin Preserve before finding the edge of the Back Bay, which is surrounded by parks, eateries, and charming shops that help make Wolfeboro a vacation destination.

Parking and Trail Access

The Cotton Valley Rail-Trail runs between Railroad Ave (Wolfeboro) and Wakefield Parks & Recreation Department (132 Meadow St, Wakefield), both of which offer parking.

Parking is also available at:

Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club, 64 Governor John Wentworth Hwy (Wolfeboro)

Visit the TrailLink map for all parking options and detailed directions.

Cotton Valley Rail Trail Reviews

Submit Review

Everything you can want in a rail trail

November 2024 georgerisktaker

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.

cotton valley trail

September 2024 frbauer_tl

So this trail has a hidden risk. Going from trail on the side of the rails to inside the rails can be tricky. My wife fell twice and skinned her knee pretty good. Also trail is narrow and has lots of walkers with dogs. Views are good near wolfboro but after that it’s a tree tunnel. Don’t need to do it again.

Good trail

August 2024 carlbrunning99

I rode the full trail starting in Wakefield at the Turntable park ( which had a good sized parking lot) to Wolfeboro and back. Smooth surface with packed gravel and stone dust. Watch yourself on the crossing when going over the rails so you don’t catch a wheel and go for a header. Good day of biking.

Nine riders went in. Only 4 came out without injury. Dangerous crossings over rails. Zigzag back and forth across tracks. Why not stay on just one side???? Needs maintenance to make it safer.

July 2024 dewmara_tl

Nine riders went in. Only 4 came out without injury. Dangerous crossings over rails. Zigzag back and forth across tracks. Why not stay on just one side???? Needs maintenance to make it safer.

Accordion

Beautiful fun trail

October 2023 bob150

My wife and I love this trail. We ride trails throughout NE and in NY and PA. This one is right up there among the best. The first leg from the Sanbornville roundabout has some rough sections that can be easily avoided by starting at the next parking area. ( where there is a spotless rent-a potty). From there the trail is smooth dirt surface. It is one lane wide either along side of the old tracks or between. Although it doesn’t make for good side by side riding it gives the trail an intimate charming feel. It crosses inside and outside the tracks often which is easy and makes it more interesting. The views constantly amaze and a f

Beautiful

October 2023 virginia.gambrell

One of the most beautiful rail trails in NH. In the fall it is breathtaking. It is quite narrow though, so passing requires one to step off the trail. The trail crosses over the tracks every mile or two and there's been mats or planks placed there to make crossing easier with bike tires. However for the most part the mats have been worn down so much they're mostly useless. There are also many spots where the chip and sand have eroded away so dismounting is necessary.

unique trail but be careful

October 2023 rf0595

My brother and I are experienced cyclists who rode this trail on our e-bikes twice this summer, with different experiences. Our first ride in June was a warm day after a warm night, and we had no problem riding across rails (on rubber mats) to ride from one side of the rails to the other side, or between the rails, as the metal rails were dry. Our second ride in October was on a warm day after a cold night where the temperature dropped below the dew point and water condensed on the rails. Though the air temperature warmed up, the rails (in the shady woods) remained cold and so continued to be wet and slippery. My tire slipped and I went down once before I realized that water was not evaporating off the rails except where rails were in direct sunlight. Fortunately I only suffered a skinned knee. After that I made all transitions with one foot off the pedal. My 1 5/8 inch tires were OK for the ride, but I would never ride my skinny-tire road bike here. I will return because this is a unique trail in beautiful surroundings, and the 25 mile round trip from Wakefield (with lunch on Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro) is a beautiful day trip from Southern Maine.

Not for sissies

July 2023 kakcc

This is a beautiful trail, but dangerous. Besides the narrow trail and track crossings- slow down and ride over at a 90 degree angle- there are ridges down some of the hills, and steep banks along the side. You have to pay attention 100%. 2 of us fell and really hurt ourselves. Wolfeboro is a great destination, though!

Great Time!

June 2023 smwarner4254

What a great morning to ride along this beautiful trail! It is a tight squeeze with oncoming bikes since it’s only as wide as the train tracks. Nevertheless,I’d definitely recommend it!

awesome trail for all with common sense

November 2022 9pq57wv6pf

Amazing to see all the ratings of this trail . Amazed at bicyclists who need to complain because they are having issues with crossing the rails . It does not take a college education to know that when you need to cross a obstruction in your path anywhere , you need to do so at as close to a 90 degree angle as possible . If you read the map , the posted signs , or see a obstruction and you question your skills you should stop and walk . I know it must be so hard to unclip and re clip your feet into your ordeals

Very nice and unique rail-to-trail project

September 2022 galen.wright74

Just did this trail from Wakefield to Wolfeboro (and back) on Sunday. It’s a very nice and unique rail-to-trail project. I have ridden many rail-to-trail projects over the years, and have been involved with developing and maintaining trails in the past. I have been on trails built on top of old/removed railroad right-of-ways. I have been on trails built next to old railroad right-of-ways. But… I have never been on a trail actually built on an existing railroad right-of-way. I have seen several reviews complaining about this setup, however, I don’t think people understand the significance of this from an operational and historical perspective. Yes, having the trail lay between the railroad track gauge does limit space. And, this trail does cross the tracks back and forth quite a bit, which may pose a safety risk to those that are not cautious. But, with all of that being said… having the ability to operate motorized rail equipment on this trail is exciting and it gives visitors to this trail a unique perspective on seeing how the rail line worked.

The trail itself is of sand and light crushed stone construction, and it seems to be relatively well maintained. There were a few rutty places. You will definitely need a mountain or trail bike for this trip. However, I actually ran across members of the trail club doing maintenance Spent some time talking to them, and they were very friendly and informative. There is lots to see along the route, and Wolfeboro is a neat little tourist town. I drove over from Maine to try this trail out, and it was definitely worth the trip.

Rails in place which lead to dangerous bike rail crossings.

September 2022 kevin376

It was hard to enjoy this trail because you have to worry about crossing rails which are still in place. The trail crosses them constantly and each crossing is dangerous on a bike. The guy in front of us had a nasty crash and we had a few close calls. When even the slightest bit of moisture gets the on the rails tires just slide. There was no rain on the day we rode but damp spots on the trail lead to wet rails.

The people who made the trail know all this and signs say you must dismount every time a crossing happens. But they happen so often that there would hardly be any point riding.

And in most cases because the trail is between the rails or wedged on one side or the other there really isn't room to pass for bicycles. Usually one bike or the other has to stop to allow the other to pass. It's just a terrible design for bicycles.

nice ride

November 2021 drkateklemer

goes by some lakes and marsh areas. Different as it goes on and off between rails filled with sand and gravel. beautiful spot at the end with lake winnepasaki.

Takes some maneuvering--but a lovely ride

October 2021 creischl

We rode the trail during the first week of October. The colors were spectacular, especially after about mile 6 in the bog areas. There is wonderful variety along the trail as one starts out in Wolfeboro, goes on causeways through Lake Wentworth, through Wentworth State Park and then on through woods and bogs.

The trail itself requires riders to pay lots of attention to safety. Much of the trail is situated between the two metal rails of the old train track--so it is quite narrow. This is rideable, though. As others have mentioned, there are many points where you switch onto a hard packed limestone trail next to the tracks. It's turning off the rails onto the limestone trails where one must slow down and do a sharp turn. We encountered 2 people who had fallen at these turn off points and one accomplished rider in our group fell as well. It's just easy to catch your tires in the crack between the rails if you don't do almost a 90 degree turn.

All that said, it's a rustic and beautiful ride and I'd highly recommend it for hybrid or gravel bikes. And, there's amazing ice cream at the iconic Bailey's Bubble when you get back to Wolfeboro!

A fun and beautiful ride

October 2021 mgundy.xo

My wife and I rode this trail for a few miles out of Wolfeboro. The builders of this trail did a wonderful job navigating through town. As you leave town you get lovely views of the lake especially when riding on the causeway (I will call it). We found no trouble navigating over the rails. There seemed to be plenty of room to meet other bikers and walkers. This whole area is really fantastic.

Fun ride in the woods!

August 2021 demcvane

This trail is for mountain or hybrid bikes, definitely not road bikes.
Agree with others in that there are more pedestrians near Wolfboro but the trail gets much less traveled the farther away you go.
Also agree that the trails are narrow but this is not an issue because the visibility is so good. Most of the time, you can see people coming from other direction literally hundreds a feet ahead of time. I did get stuck behind a few slower bikers but was able to pass at one of the railroad track crossovers.
As the railroad track crossovers, you just have to slow down and ensure your front tire is crossing at a 90 degree angle. I didn’t have any issues at all but just be mindful, slow down and steer the front tire to cross over perpendicular to the rail.
So, definitely some things to consider and manage but well worth it in my opinion.

Another Vote for "Not Safe for Bikes"....and We Biked It

August 2021 tribe_fan

As many others have noted, this trail is not safe for bikes, especially road and hybrid models. We read the reviews warning us in advance and rode wide tire bikes. Despite rubber mats at many of the points where you transition from between the rails to beside them or vice versa, it's still possible to get a tire caught in the small gap between the mat and the rails and take a fall. Be forewarned to SLOW DOWN or walk your bike across these numerous transition points. Also, the sections of the trail that run between the rails are too narrow for a bike going one way to safely pass a walker going the other. When it's two bikes going in opposite directions, one has to come to a stop to pass safely. The sections of the trail outside the rails aren't much wider and the railroad ties extend about six inches beyond the rails, further squeezing the available space. My conclusion is that there must be hundreds of single bike, bike-bike and bike-pedestrian accidents annually.

The trail is otherwise quite nice. Its almost totally flat and there's plenty of shade.

Know how to cross railroad rails safely

August 2021 nphillips_tl

This is a very scenic path traveling through woods most of the time, along marshes, hidden ponds and across Lake Wentworth. But this path has railroad tracks along the whole path, which makes the trail narrow in most places. BUT - be warned -
this trail will not be as enjoyable for some. Others will be fine with the challenges.
1. Learn how to travel safely across steel rails, since you will have to do this at least two dozen times, often within a tight narrow space. If you do not cross as close to 90 degrees to the rail, you risk you bike tire slipping out from under you. How do you I know? There are some short videos on You Tube that address this.
2. From the Wakefield end, park at the lot near the Miss Wakefield diner, so you don't have to cross Route 16, a very busy road.
3. The closer you get to Wolfboro, there are more pedestrians, and some think their right of way is the whole path, not half. I would end the trip at route 109A where the railcar rides are located, unless you really want to go to Wolfboro.
4. I found passing others on the trail that were coming the other way could be stressful, since there is little room to move over. One or both of you will have a hard rail on one side of you and if not, then the edge of the path often dropped off.
5. At the beginning of the trail at Route 16 you do have a couple of short steep ups and downs. Otherwise the trail is fairly flat.

A nice trail with some important caveats

August 2021 jrutch

Okay - nice trail - very pretty BUT my issue is the sections where they laid the trail in between the still existing train tracks - clever idea to save money??? BUT it makes it very narrow and when passing walkers and other bikers it gets a little hairy (in fact our side mirror was clipped by a biker going in the opposite direction that's how narrow it is) .... try not to go at a busy time and be prepared for tight squeezes on those sections where the trail is between the tracks ---- ALSO I would NOT recommend this for recumbents or other wide bikes - it just isn't safe for those kinds of cycles - otherwise like i said nice scenery but be forewarned

MTN Bike or Gravel Bike

July 2021 geegee6519

Great ride, passed a few people on the narrow section of the trail, but had no problems passing each other. I rode the trail after a heavy 2 days of rain, so it was wet, lots of mud, large puddles of rain, it got a little dirty! LOL

Excellent Ride

March 2021 fjg6p22mpx

I rode this trail on my mountain bike with my 3yr old nephew in the rear-mounted toddler seat. Excellent ride with terrific views, plenty of spots to safely pull aside, if necessary. Yes, as others have said, the trail does get narrow on the causeway. However, visibility is excellent. One has plenty of time to adjust their position for oncoming riders & pedestrians. The transitions over the rails are very well marked. The transitions should cause no issues for a mountain bike, hybrid or gravel bike. This would not be a trail for a true road bike with slicks or narrow tires, as a rule. Rode mid-week at the height of summer with no issues navigating other users. Enjoy!

Fantastic Trail for Biking

October 2020 leeds.nudd

Very confused at some of the reviews here. Fit mid-30s guy here, though rarely bike, completed the entire trail both ways today on a hybrid rental bike. Yes this trail is gravel and also now plenty of fallen leaves, and it’s perfectly appropriate for a bike ride as long as it’s an appropriate bike. Don’t try to take a road bike with skinny tires on this trail. Enough room along the majority of the trail for bikers to pass each other without stopping, although, yes, once or twice along the 12 mile stretch you may actually need to stop and walk your bike when passing. Such a beautiful ride.

worst possible trail for bicycles

October 2020 moonlightgraham2

Beautiful setting, but clearly not designed for bike riders. Much of the 12 miles of trail (Wolfeboro to Wakefield) runs between the confines of remaining railroad rails, so despite the filled-in smooth surface there is no possibility that riders approaching from opposite directions will have room to pass each other. The many walkers we encountered were all considerate to voluntarily step aside and allow us to pass, although we repeatedly needed to hold up for other riders, giving them the right-of-way. One group of riders that included young children attempting to manage the difficult passages unsupervised caused my wife to take a bad fall. We have used and enjoyed many rail trails in NH -- this one deserves to be crossed off every bicycler's list.

Nice Trail

August 2020 lynnnagle

We rode from Wolfeboro 7 miles out and back with our three kids. I was very nervous after reading the reviews of people getting hurt. We almost didn’t do this trail because of the reviews. The part we rode was great! Yes, there are parts where you have to switch between the trail and the track but if you are careful and SLOW down this is not an issue. The trail is mostly flat with great scenery . I say a it’s a great trail!

Ideal if you time it right

August 2020 mrtetreault

I’ve ridden and walked all over this trail over the years as a local yocal. The portion from downtown Wolfeboro to Fernald station is basically for walkers/joggers only. There are a ton out all times of the year and rightfully so, it’s mint. I got an e-bike recently, and have found the portion from Fernald Station in Wolfeboro out to Wakefield is the best for bikes. It’s crushed stone the entire way and limited foot traffic. Picnic tables along the way too with spots to chill.

NOT FOR BIKERS!!

August 2020 bmmiller.music

Horrible experience....I have a very narrow-tired bike and didn't know anything about the trail (should have read other reviews!!) and fell 3 times and I am an experienced rider....All gravel, dirt, and on and off the RR tracks many times...very treacherous!! And every time you meet someone you have to stop or they do, to let you by. Some beautiful scenery by the lake but you can't take your eyes off the terrain as it is very uneven. OK for walkers.

Beautiful trail but...

July 2020 suezqz100

Bikers beware. As others have noted, this is a narrow trail with rails still in place. It is a beautiful path and perfect for walkers and runners. If you choose to ride, Wear a helmet and heed the signs to walk across the on\off ramps where the path veers from the rails, which is often. As others have noted, bike tires can become snagged and cause you to be thrown from your bike. This happened to my partner requiring fire dept/emergency rescue from the trail. Shame on us for not wearing helmets. Concussion and fractured arm later, all is well. Emergency responders and local hospital were all amazing - especially given the current concerns in healthcare. Important to note, no one was surprised at what had happened, it’s not uncommon. Again, beautiful trail, but I think this is a fair warning if you do choose to ride this trail.

Bicycles beware!

June 2020 dentman333

Lovely trail but in some spots not wide enough for a bicycle in each direction. Also somewhat hilly so unless you’re in tip top shape or riding an E-bike could be a struggle. If you do decide to ride be aware crossing the rails. I took quite a spill because the angle was not sharp enough and the front tire slid out from under me. #wearahelmet

unsafe for bikes

May 2020 dierdre

Beautiful trail but very narrow making it very hard for bikes going in opposite directions to pass each other. Other negative are the railroad ties that you need to bike over in some places. Please be careful!

Beautiful but narrow trail

August 2019 budge1998

After reading the reviews I decided to ride this trail as it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in August. Perfect weather for a bike ride. I decided to bring my mountain bike and I am glad I did (I usually ride my hybrid for Rail Trails.)

I parked in Wolfeboro. Started out my ride at 1:00 PM. Tons of other riders and walkers, a few runners.. The first few miles were beautiful crossing the cog-ways but frustrating with all the other people on the trail. It is narrow and yes, when you are riding in between the rails as noted in other reviews, it can be a bit hairy when other bikers or STOLLERS are coming the other way. If the other biker didn't look very experienced or they were kids I stopped to let them pass. Had to do this several times. I was having second guesses with all the foot traffic but after a few miles it lessened a bit, just a bit, and the scenery was so peaceful. I got to Route 16, and yes the traffic was fast and heavy enough that I decided it wasn't worth it. Plus I'm out of shape and knew I had another 11 miles to go to get back!

I was wondering if I was going to encounter the same traffic going back especially the closer to Wolfeboro I got, but happily the ride back was 100% better. Maybe because is was now 2:30 ish..

There were still plenty of people on the trail but not half as many and I didn't have to stop once.

I loved this trail, but think I will come back again in the fall or during the midweek with less people.

This trail is the best maintained trail I have ever been on. Completely smooth gravel and the edges were just mowed. The hybrid bike would have been fine except the rail crossings.

The rail crossings were never a problem for me but probably because I had the mountain bike with shocks. I would be more cautious if I had the hybrid! Just go slow and be careful. Common sense..

Last thought, if I didn't live 45 minutes from Wolfeboro, this trail would be perfect for running!! Traffic or not!

Unsafe for bikes

July 2019 carepose

While this is a great trail for hiking my husband and I felt it was way too narrow to share with bikers and hikers. We had to stop riding whenever someone was coming in the opposite direction. We found we were too busy concentrating to enjoy the views. Not a good bike trail.

BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!!!

July 2019 crc0952

My wife and I had our first experience biking this trail this week. We found it very enjoyable until we both had a bad accident. There are several areas on the trail where you have to cross the rails which are sticking above grade and will through you off the bike.
I sustained a 2 inch laceration and multiple abrasions and contusions which required an ER visit. My wife injured her shoulder and knee.
After reading past reviews complaining of this same problem over several years, I can not understand why this problem has not been corrected since it would be easy to remedy!!! Disappointed that peoples safety is not of paramount importance!!
I hope that this will be addressed in the near future.

Beautiful serene trail - but yes, be careful crossing the rails!

October 2018 bobwhite

I rode this trail several years ago, when it only extended 3-4 miles east from Wolfeboro. However, this summer I rediscovered the trail, which is now 12 miles long extending all the way to Turntable Park in Sanbornville (completed summer of 2017). What a beautiful trail it is now. I have ridden the trail 7-8 times this summer and am really hooked on it! The natural beauty from causeway lake crossings to very bucolic meadows & wetlands on the western end are some of the best I've ridden in awhile!

As far as trailside features, you have the lakeside Town of Wolfeboro with many restaurants and a great bike shop (Nordic Skier) in town. When leaving Wolfeboro you pass by the restored train depot (restrooms, tourist info) close to town. This first 2 miles tends to be busy with walkers, cyclists, and people sailing remote controlled sailboats by the soccer fields (kind of neat).

The trail continues east crossing Route 28 (kind of busy, but slower traffic with a painted crosswalk so cars tend to stop for pedestrians and cyclists) but still use caution because it is hard for motorists to see around the foliage and buildings close to the road.

After Route 28, the trail continues on to two lake crossings on old railroad causeways, this is where cyclists must start to pay attention for the rest of the trail in regards to the trail width. Due to the narrowness of the RR causeway, and the fact the tracks have not been removed, cyclists must ride on a wonderful hard dirt surface , BUT as good as the surface is, the path is less than 5 feet wide between the two rails. It's great if it's just you on the trail and no-one else is around, but the trail tends to be busy near Wolfeboro. Oncoming cyclists must be very careful passing each other, I have seen many have dismounted to pass, and also you must call out a friendly warning when approaching other users on the trail.

The trail alternates from between the rails to being beside the rails, and a few times the trail will meander away from the rails altogether (especially near Albee Beach (restrooms, beach). This is where CAUTION must be exercised when crossing rails. Signs on the trail suggest dismounting when you must cross the steel rails. Even though there are wooden platforms built up at the crossings, riders must hit the rails as close to a 90 degree angle as they can (I seem to do fine at 45 degrees with 26" x 2.1" tires). The 7-8 times I rode this trail I came across minimum of 4 cyclists that went down, and they had the bruises and cuts to show for it!! (BTW, I counted, and I think 30 crossings of the steel rails is pretty accurate count for the whole trail)

About 3 miles from Wolfeboro, you will cross State Route 109, a bit quieter than Rt 28, but traffic tends to be a little faster.

Also at this crossing there's the restored Fernald Station (parking,porta-potty), which is also home to the "Putt-Putt cars" (Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club). The putt-putt cars on this trail is very unique, they are motorized 2-person railcars that run from Fernald Station 8 miles to the west and State Route 16. I only saw them in action on one of my rides, they always give a big wave and travel at about 10mph. This is why the rails are still in place on this rail trail, and we owe the 80 member club a big thank you for the maintenance of overgrowth they perform.

Beyond Fernald Station, the trail continues west for another 8 miles to very busy SR 16. The trail continues to alternate "between the rails" and "beside the rails" for this section. This is my favorite section, the 8 mile stretch is very quiet and features natural meadows and wetlands, and there are just minor road crossings with one section of 4 miles with no road crossings at all - it is very enjoyable!!

The last mile before reaching busy State Route 16 features some pretty good short up and down whoopee hills. At Route 16, there is a parking area, and the Miss Wakefield Diner is just south of the trail on Route 16 (no need to cross the highway).

If you do decide to cross 16, be aware traffic travels faster than it's 55mph posted limit, and tends to carry a lot of traffic. Crossing the highway gives you one more mile of trail to downtown Sanbornville and it's Turntable Park, featuring an old turntable used to turn locomotives around. There are also restaurants located in Sanbornville. I have crossed the highway a few times, but in all honestly, the last mile on the other side of Route 16 is not that attractive, even though the Town of Sanbornville is kind of nice, it may not be worth crossing the busy road.

(There is parking on Route 16 on the west side of the highway, so a good option is to park on 16 and ride to Wolfeboro!)

Overall, this is a great and beautiful ride, just watch the rail crossings!

Beautiful trail, no problems with crossings

October 2018 keithmalcolmmonk_tl

Our family rode the trail from Wolfeboro to around mile marker 4, a while past the Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club on Rt. 109, in October 2018. There were a lot of great water views including a couple stretches with water on both sides, and winding parts through very pretty woods from about 1.5 miles just before Albee Beach onwards. The trail surface was very hard and not bumpy and presented no problem for hybrid-style bikes, basically as good as pavement (or even better than some paved trails I have been on that haven't been resurfaced recently). All of the crossings over the rails were clearly marked with signs instructing to walk your bikes and painted arrows indicating to do so at a right angle. After walking over many of them and them seeming very solid I began to slowly ride over them at 45 degree angles and never had a problem, and none of the several kids in my group did either. The parts of the trail in between the rails are narrow enough that you need to take extra care. If you are looking to go fast I wouldn't recommend this trail but if you are looking for a very scenic and leisurely ride I would highly recommend it. On the return ride I noticed that there were no signs for westbound bikers so this might explain some other peoples' complaints (although I still found the crossings vey obvious and good). I hope to return and ride the eastern portion of the trail another time.

Trail Hazards

September 2018 love2yak_bike

I was delighted to read about the Cotton Valley Rail Trail from Wakefield to Wolfeboro. I picked up a copy of Rail-Trails, read up on the route and search Trail-link to read the reviews. I was aware of the switch over crossings on the trail and the dangers from what I read. Starting my ride in Wakefield at the Railroad Turntable I enjoyed a short ride to Route 16 and crossed over. I found the trail to be well maintained and walked over the first switch over crossing, I made a mental note that they might not be marked for hazards and continued riding. I was right! With the forest canopy and sun filtering through I came up on one with little notice and continue to cross and my back tire slipped out and I had crashed. Needless to say that ended my ride and caused an injury. I have ridden on many different surfaces and was shocked by what looked like an easy cross over. Please mark all switch over crossings as Hazards to avoid accidents. I am looking forward to riding this trail again after my recovery. If I had finished my ride I would have rated it a 5 Star, as I have heard it is a beautiful trail with a lot of great historical sites.

Why don't they fix this trail?

August 2018 ellenkillam

Disappointed to read that there is still a hazard on this trail. This could be so easy to fix by putting cement in between the rails or putting mats on the crossings. I will not go on this trail until this is fixed as I took a bad spill due to the rails.

Beautiful trail, slippery track (Aug '18)

August 2018 jonathanjcammarato

I drove about half an hour from Rochester to ride this trail on my new hybrid. The trail is compact gravel with beautiful scenery. I read some reviews on here and noticed some people mentioned the hazards crossing the rails, they weren't lying. About 4 miles in I tried to cross the rails almost fully parallel and my wheel slipped out underneath me. I skid into a burm and cut my knee. I chose self-care but could have used 2 or 3 sutures. After another 2 miles my girlfriend picked me up and after a trip to rite-aid for butterfly sutures we enjoyed the rest of the day in Wolfboro.

Along the way another rider gave me a large bandaid and showed me to the nearest road. I didn't get his name but thank you if you're reading this. I will hit the trail in a week or two again when my knee is healed, this time crossing the rails at a 90 degree angle.

Trail is finished! :)

October 2017 equinox43

The gap in the map can be closed. It is now possible to run, bike, walk, etc. from Turntable Park in Sanbornville to the Wolfeboro Depot. Just use caution when crossing Route 16 (White Mountain Highway) at the Miss Wakefield diner, Route 109 (Governor Wentworth Highway) at Fernald Station, and Route 28 in Wolfeboro.

The section from Clark Road out to Cotton Valley was completed during late summer and early fall of 2017. From Cotton Valley to about the Brookfield town line (the old W8/S4 mile marker post) is mostly between the rails (although there are a few sections beside the rails). From Cotton Valley, about the first mile is slightly downhill. From there it is fairly flat to Clark Road.

From the Brookfield line to Clark Road is mostly outside the rails.

Out near the W9/S3/B100 mile post there are a couple of picnic tables next to the trail.

In the late spring and early summer, the deer flies in the section from Cotton Valley to Clark Road can be very thick.

Get out and enjoy the completed trail!

September 2017

September 2017 sc302

The gap in the trail map can now be closed. The trail is open all the way to Rt 16 and beyond. We road from Wolfeboro to Rt 16 where the trail comes out near the Ms. Wakefield Diner. A beautiful ride from start to finish. There is some history to explore in the new section such as a family cemetery and a gorgeous stone wall that once was part of a dam and the remnants of the old barn behind it. Have fun riding and exploring the beauty of this trail.

rode the trail today, 9/12

September 2017 andy4wind

great trail, workers were just about done with improvements near clark rd. couple of days and the whole trail is done. one correction to the trail
description should be made. the Wolfeboro end of the trail does not have horseback riding listed as an approved activity on the trail signs. not sure as to the east end.

Happy mountain biker

July 2017 suzanshaw

I've been riding the Cotton Valley rail trail since it opened and I'm excited that the last phase of the trail is almost finished. I was told that it should be done by August. I'm gearing up for the ride from Wakefield into Wolfeboro! Thank you to all of the people who worked hard on this beautiful trail and making one of my dreams come true! Job well done!!

New section

December 2016 equinox43

Earlier today I was at the Cotton Valley end of the trail and found that a new, 2 mile, section of the trail had been completed. The new section runs towards Wakefield, NH and ends shortly after the S4 mile marker stone.

It's pretty nice. Most of this section is between the rails.

Grassy Mid-section not maintained

August 2016 trailita

We started in Wolfeboro, and about 4 miles north into the ride, encountered a bumpy section with tall grass between and beside tracks. There was one rider walking his bike. We couldn't see how far this walk would be, so we tried riding a little way, but even with mountain bikes it was not enjoyable, and maybe unsafe to ride. A little disappointing, but I have heard that they are working on the trail from either end, so maybe next time it will be ok. The rest of the trail was very flat and straight, some parts too much crush stone to get a grip on. Nice scenery
July 29, 2016

My Favorite Rail Trail

July 2016 scott.kelley.96

Absolutely beautiful both waterside and in the forest. Very high recommend for walkers and bikes.

Great Trail Wish It Was longer

June 2016 mcrowley64

Recently did my first bike ride on this trail and it was awesome just love the views of the water, mountain and woods and that it is not just a long straight trail that looks like it has no end but you go from riding between the railroad ties to a spur path through the woods or beside the old RR Bed. It can get a little tight if you meet another bike on the trial between the RR Ties but two bikes can pass you just need to know how to handle your bike and use caution. As far as going from the trail to up over RR ties and riding between there are signs that say stop and walk your bike over but with my mountain bike I have no problem. Love this trail and will be back again soon here is the link to my GoPro Video of the ride on the trail.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJJ0MJS0qPI

Natures Beauty

April 2016 alleekat219

This trail is totally awesome!! Nice trial all the way to the end. It's well kept only a few tree stumps here and there. The trail is rather narrow so you need to be careful when riding bikes lots of walkers/dogs and joggers. Pack a lunch/backpack because along the path there is Crescent Lake with picnic tables,public restrooms and grills for BBQ's a real treasure and just a perfect place to take a short break and enjoy the beautiful lake...I would recommend this trail to anyone who loves getting outdoors. After your ride you can walk around Wolfeboro a quaint little place with little shops...

Lovely trail, but be careful

December 2015 trailrnr

I live in Wolfeboro, and have used the trail many times for walking, running and biking. It is a real asset to town, but it is not without problems.

Myself, friends and 2nd hand information indicates that many people biking this trail have been injured. The problem is where the trail crosses existing rail road tracks which can be slippery, but one can get their tire stuck in the ruts causing a fall. I have heard of at least one person getting airlifted out for medical treatment after falling on the trail.

Someone should consider redesigning the cross-overs, so this trail becomes the safe trail it has the potential to be. I'd hate to hear of someone else getting injured, but I frequently find more people getting injured on bikes on this trail multiple times a year

Scenic But Risky

October 2015 smosh

The trail is provides beautiful views of the lake and begins and ends in Wolfeboro, which is nice.
Because the rails are still in the ground and much of the trail in between the rails, the trail frequently crosses the rails. Riders have to be careful crossing over the rails to avoid flipping the bike.
When trail has two way traffic, one of the parties has to stop and stand to the side while the other party passes between the rails.
There is one busy intersection in Wolfeboro with heavy vehicle and bike traffic. My wife is currently wearing a walking boot for ankle fractured when her bike flipped. Fortunately, she was wearing her helmet.
Early mornings on a weekday when traffic is light would be best time for this trail

Uniquely different !

September 2015 raysbike

Pedaling between and alongside the actual rails was a completely new experience for us. This is the first trail we have come across were you actually ride between the rails, which can make for some interesting moments as two bikers pass, especially on the causeways. But, as we found, a smile and a little common courtesy go a long way.

The views along the causeways and the public beach are absolutely beautiful, and the wooded sections were so peaceful you could hear a pin drop. My wife and I spooked a blue heron into flight, and watching its' great span soar just above the waters surface, was extremely thrilling. The only complaint for us was that the groomed trail ended at Cotton Valley Road, so we pedaled back and spent some quite time at Albee beach.

This trail is a real gem, and like most things in New Hampshire, just waiting to be explored. Hopefully the section between Cotton Valley Road and Clark Road can be completed in the not so distant future, and if so, we'll be back.

Great Trail, great ride

June 2015 rcecc

Nice ride, not very crowded

Rte. 16 to Clark Rd.: Now open!

November 2014 kltron

The CVRT is a bit more than a mile longer now running from Rte. 16 in Sanbornville, NH to Clark Rd. in Brookfield, built Summer/Fall 2014. (There is still a gap between Clark Rd. and Cotton Valley Station, but there are plans to put the trail here as well.)

The section from Rte. 16 to Clark Rd. is a pleasant walk or ride, very quiet. It's the same crushed stone as in Wolfeboro, alongside or in between the rails.

Near Rte. 16 the trail moves off the railbed, and there are some short steep hills that may challenge some people who expect a nearly completely flat rail trail. In addition, a section next to the railbed not far from Clark Rd. is narrow with a drop off to the side, so use caution in that area.

Always use caution where the trail crosses the rails, as it can easily grab your bike tire. They recommend getting off and walking to make the transitions.

The crushed stone is still new and a little mushy, but it has improved since it was put down and should be just as good as the Wolfeboro section as it settles and sees use.

Simply put: This is a great trail with lake views, amenities at both ends, streams and ponds, turkeys and moose, history, and all kinds of trail users who are ALWAYS happy to be there. The rail fans and their speeders share the trail, and I think that adds something special to the CVRT that is different from other rail trails.

Excellent

October 2014 equinox43

I have run this trail many times, and really enjoy it. The crushed stone surface is softer than pavement, but firm enough to get a good push off of it.

It can be a bit narrow when the trail is between the rails, particularly on the causeways over Lake Wentworth and Crescent Lake. Use a bit of caution.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned: In the summer of 2014, a new section of the trail was completed. From Route 16 in Wakefield out to Clark Road (about a 1 mile stretch) is now open, and links up to the previously opened .75 mile section in Sanbornville. Use caution crossing Route 16.

Cotton Valley Rail Trail

July 2014 tammyarrigo

This was our first time here. Myself, my three kids and dog truly enjoyed this walk along the waters edge. Great for biking, walking, & running. The kids got to see a rail car go by which was exciting for them.

Fantastic

July 2014 j3nnif3r

This was our first time riding with our four kids, ages 6-12. The views are so beautiful, both along the lake and in the forest. There was a nice place for a pit stop with a picnic table, and we passed many friendly runners, walkers and bike riders along our way. Parking was great. Did have to cross a few roads, one pretty fast. Lots of shade!

Great riding for all ages

May 2014 jjberry

Thought this was a great beginner ride for all ages. It was the first trail for my wife and kids. No complaints other than bugs.

Great Family Ride

July 2013 wspinney

Parked at Fernald Depot and rode into Wolfeboro. Excellent ride for beginners! After returning to the car, we headed to the public beach that the trail runs by. Found two gems in one day!

Beautiful and easy-going walking or biking trail

May 2013 kayakingbeth

I have biked this trail from Wolfeboro center to Albee Beach each summer with my daughter and friends. Wide, flat trail accommodates walkers, runners and bikers alike allowing for common courtesy. Beautiful views of Wentworth Lake and plenty of donated benches with touching memorials to loved ones to stop, rest and take in the view.

July 2012 glthw8

Great scenic, easy ride... good for a picnic

June 2011 bike_gal

This trail is approximately 6.5 miles one-way from downtown Wolfeboro to the intersection of Cotton Valley Road and Cotton Mountain Road. There, the rails continue, but they are not filled with fine gravel as is the case with other parts of the trail - they have the original ties and rock, with (as of June 2011) a lot of vegetation growing up through the ties. I wouldn't suggest trying to bike that area, although a mountain bike might be able to make it.

Even on a warm and sunny Saturday morning in late June, there was plenty of parking in the Wolfeboro municipal lot which is a bit behind the old train depot. Along the route, the trail alternates between being hard-packed fine gravel running next to the old rails, and hard-packed fine gravel between the old rails. At each point where you need to switch, there is a wooden platform between and flush with the metal rails, making it pretty easy. (At one point I chose to switch over before the wooden area, hit the rail at the wrong angle and almost fell but I caught myself - use the wooden area.) The trail is scenic and goes over some bridges, along a filled-in area of a lake, and through the woods. At one point you go past a public beach on Lake Wentworth - the next time we ride this will bring a picnic lunch and stop at the beach on our way back. The only drawback I saw was that the trail between rails is pretty narrow and if you have another cyclist coming in the opposite direction, it's a tight squeeze. The trail seemed to be used but not heavily so, making our ride enjoyable with a secluded feel. We saw other cyclists here and there, and some walkers along areas closer to Wolfeboro.

Nice ride

July 2010 pilots48_tl

This trail is a very picturesque ride. It is a 6.8 mile ride from the old Wolfboro train station to the intersection of Cotton valley rd. and Cotton Mtn. Rd.. Don't know why some of the trail is between the rails and some of the trail is next to them. Still, it is a great ride.

Really improved.

November 2009 woodchuck

The section from Fernald Station to Cotton Valley is really a dream to ride now. Horse activity is gone and it is a real ride through a wild area with very little traffic. Elevation gain from Fernald to Cotton Valley is very gentle and the ride back is a dream. Bring your binocs because there are a couple of areas that are great for bird watching. Can't wait to see the rest of the trail get done all the way to Route 16.

Greatly improved

August 2009 woodchuck

Extensive work by the Cotton Valley Railroad Club on the 3 miles of new trail have now really made it a great ride. The trail goes by a beaver pond with great views and bird watching. The total elevation gain is about 110 feet from Fernald Station and it is a real easy ride on the return trip. Horse activity seems to have subsided. The trail also passes through some interesting tornado damage from 2008. The rails are left in place and in some places, where you ride between the rails, it is a little tight if bikers are coming the other way.

Fernald Station to Cotton Mountain

June 2009 woodchuck

This additional, recently finished section of the trail is great except for the rough surface created by horses. It may be great for hiking but the vibration on bike riding is less than fun.

Return to trail

July 2008 lorriec918

I rode this trail again over the weekend. I'm very impressed with the additional 3 miles that have been completed. It's an easy trail to follow. I definitely will be back!

Additional 3.5m completed

April 2008 ianscape

TRAC as completed an additional 3.5 miles from the Rt 109 trailhead to the Cotton Valley Siding.

New section is open for use, but there is expected to be a grand opening ribbon cutting sometime this summer.

Ian MacMillan
Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club
Member- Board of Directors

Scenic ride

September 2006 lorriec918

"This trail is only accessible by bike for 4 miles on the Wolfeboro side. This is very scenic, beautiful, easy trail.
The Sanbornville end of the trail is only completed for 1 mile."

"Wolfeboro-Sanbornville Rec Trail, NH"

May 2002 paul desmarais

"Beautiful trail crossing 2 causeways and very scenic.
From Wolfeboro, first 3 1/2 miles finished in stone dust and gravel all of which is wheelchair accessible. The first 1/2 mile is Russell Chase Trail, the remainder recently named Cotton Valley Trail. Another 3+ miles expected to be built 2003-04"

"Rough going, Sanbornville-Wolf.Falls"

October 2000 Anonymous

"The mile from Wolfeboro to Wolfeboro Falls is excellent- smooth, hard, clear, an excellent path for any mode. From Wolfeboro Falls to Sanbornville (most of the trail length) it is an abandoned rail bed with rails in place. Our hybrid bikes (and their riders) were not up to the challenge. A very narrow, not well cleared path on one side of the rails is all that is available for biking.
This would be OK for hiking on the rails. Someone (snowmobile club?) keeps the brush at bay so it is passable for hiking."