What is the New Hampshire Rail Trails Challenge?

The New Hampshire Rail Trails Challenge is a free public activity to encourage people of all ages to explore **all** the beautiful rail trails in New Hampshire! There are currently over 40 completed New Hampshire rail trails, encompassing over 300 miles to date, with more trails, and more mileage for existing trails, in the works. Explore all of New Hampshire’s rail trails, and you can apply for a custom embroidered patch (see image below) to celebrate the achievement!

What are the rules?

The rules are simple. They are listed here on this page. Just do it!

  • You must explore each rail trail listed here on the Rail Trails Challenge Application Form, using any of the following ‘active’ transportation modes that are allowed on each particular trail: walking, running\jogging, biking, roller blading, roller skiing, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing.  Even horseback riding, for trails that allow that activity, count towards this challenge!
  • There is no time limit, timeline or deadline for completing The Challenge.
  • You can explore each trail in sections. You do not have to explore a trail in a single day. You can take multiple days to explore a trail. They do not have to be consecutive days.
  • You can explore a trail using a single transportation mode (listed above) or you can use a combination of the listed active transportation modes (walk one section, bike another, etc), as long as you explore the trail using any of the modes, or combination of modes, listed above.
  • Safety first! Sometimes trail surfaces become eroded or unusable, and are unsafe to use. After storms or spring rains, there can be washouts, or trees come down and block trails temporarily. Please only travel on trail segments that you feel safe traveling on.

When can I start The Challenge?

You can start The Challenge now! However, there is no real start date.  New Hampshire rail trails you may have explored in the past count!

Is there a fee for doing The Challenge?

There is no fee for doing The Challenge. However, if you want to receive the New Hampshire Rail Trails Challenge patch, you must mail in the completed patch application form posted here, along with a check for $10 to NHRTC. Some incentives do apply. For example, this application fee is waived for NHRTC members. For information on how to join NHRTC, click here.

Some people will choose to do The Challenge, explore all the rail trails, and not apply for the patch. That’s fine!  The goal of this Challenge is to provide a framework that simply encourages more people to get out and use New Hampshire’s rail trails.

What do I get if I complete The Challenge?

If you complete The Challenge, mail in the filled-out application form, along with the $10 application fee (unless waived), you will receive a custom embroidered New Hampshire Rail Trails Challenge patch in the mail. Instructions on how to get your patch are below.

What if a rail trail is not 100% complete?

You are only expected to travel on portions of any rail trails that are complete (open) and safe to travel on. If a portion of a rail trail is under construction or repair, and you are prohibited from safely traveling on that portion (your call), just skip it. Only explore the sections you feel safe traveling on, noting that you are not required to do sections of trail that are closed, not complete, or simply too difficult.

Instructions for getting a patch

  • Print out the “New Hampshire Rail Trails Challenge” patch application form posted here on the NHRTC website.  When you explore a trail, record the date that you explored it, list the travel mode(s) used.
  • When you have explored all the rail trails in the list, mail in the completed application form, along with the application fee* (* waived for NHRTC members) to the address listed on the form. Your patch will be mailed to you.

What about the “Combo Trails” listed on the website?

The “Combo Trails” listed on the website (Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail, East Coast Greenway, Granite State Rail Trail,  New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway) are not part of this Challenge. However, they are still worth investigating!

What if I explore a rail trail, then later that trail is extended? Must I go back & explore the new section?

The short answer is nope. As long as you have explored as much of the trail as you could, you’re good.  You do not have to go back and explore new sections of trail that may have been added. Although, we encourage you to do so, just because you may be missing an awesome trail segment, it’s not required for The Challenge.