A few miles north of the State House on busy Fisherville Road (U.S. 3) in Concord, a small parking lot marks a trailhead for one of the newest rail trails in New Hampshire. It’s a smooth 2.5 mile path, ideal for biking. More than that, it’s one end of what could someday be a trail extending all the way to Lake Sunapee.
Granite markers along the way mark the ends of the old rail line: C for Concord, CJ for Claremont Junction. Recreational development is coming along a piece at a time. The Concord section extends from Fisherville Road to Carter Hill Road. During my first visit there, I shared the trail with bicyclists and several runners who were happy to have an alternative to busy streets nearby.
Fisherville Rd trailhead
At the Fisherville Road trailhead, I found a bike-fix station where riders can perform minor bike adjustments before setting out. Reading the website for the Concord-Lake Sunapee trail, I learned that the station had been provided by a coalition of bicycle clubs and businesses, while the nearby kiosk was sponsored by another local business. The trailhead facilities provide a great example of how rail trails can thrive with community cooperation.
Stevens Rail Trail
Another day, I went to Hopkinton, just west of Concord, to find the segment called the Stevens Rail Trail extending west into the Davisville neighborhood in Warner. In summer weather, I felt like I was in a cool tunnel as I walked on this shady path. Busy I-89 was close by, but trees muffled the traffic noise.
Warner Bridge
A short drive west from Hopkinton brought me to Bagley Park in Warner, tucked between NH Route 103 and I-89. I parked there for the short walk along the Warner Rail Trail. A freshly-decked bridge across the Warner River let me look ahead to a not-yet-developed section of abandoned rail line, tantalizingly close to the town center.
Tilly Wheeler Trail in Bradford
I went to Bradford to find its modest segment of rail trail along NH 103, called the Tilly Wheeler trail. It took only a few minutes to walk end-to-end. I found a pleasant place to rest there, overlooking an arm of Todd Lake. Adding a few local streets to my route gave me a loop walk through a quiet neighborhood.
The supporters of the Concord-Lake Sunapee trail are tackling a long-term project. A few years ago, the trail was launched with just a fraction of a mile in Warner. Now, portions of the trail exist in three other municipalities. To become part of the team that will bring the trail to completion, use the contact form at concordlakesunapeerailtrail.com, or check out the group’s Facebook page.
—Text and Photos by Ellen Kolb. For more of Ellen’s walks visit her blog: granitestatewalker.com