Highlights of the:  Presidential Rail Trail 

Towns involved:  Whitefield, Jefferson, Randolph, Gorham

Miles:  19

Trail Surface:

  • Hard packed stone dust (to be installed in the Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, September 2020 for 4 miles)
  • Crushed gravel
  • Coarse gravel
  • Packed dirt
  • Cinder
  • Sand
  • Grass

Difficulty:

  • Easy, smooth
  • Easy-moderate
  • Moderate
  • More Difficult
  • Some rough areas requiring caution or walking the bike

Trail activities allowed:

  • Walking
  • Cycling
  • Dog walking
  • Horse riding
  • E-bikes (Class 1 & 2)
  • XC Skiing
  • Snowshoeing
  • Dog sledding, skijoring
  • Snowmobiling
  • Geocaching
  • Bird watching

Map: https://www.traillink.com/trail-maps/presidential-rail-trail/

Trail Map

Parking:

  • Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, western end: Airport Road, Whitefield
  • Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, eastern end: Meadow Road, Route 115A
  • Randolph: Bowman, Castle Trail hikers trailhead
  • Randolph: Appalachia hikers trailhead
  • Randolph: Pinkham B Road, 2 lots, hikers lot and lot at the rail trail crossing
  • Gorham: Large parking lot on Route 2, used also by ATVs

Amenities:

  • Kisok at at Pondicherry, western end
  • Porta-potty at Pondicherry, western end
  • Israel River campground about 2 miles off trail on Israel River Road: small camp store with cold beverages, ice cream bars, snacks
  • Coffee shop, deli, ice cream, restaurants can be accessed within a mile off the trail in Gorham
  • Water and some snacks are available at the Moose Brook State Park, Jimtown Road in Gorham

 

Website:  https://friendsofthepresidentialrailtrail.org/trail-map/

 Social media:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1710501105845142/

Comments:

  • Spectacular panoramic views of the Presidential Mountain Range, Kilkenny Range and Cherry Mountain from the Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge
  • Mountains, ponds, wetlands, rocky streams and rivers, wildflowers, birds, bear, moose, beaver ponds, dark forest canopy…this trail has it all
  • Conditions vary along the route, a road bike with skinny tires is unsuitable, ride the wider tires of a hybrid, All Road or mountain bike to enjoy this trail
  • No access to food and water on the trail, be prepared, pack your own
  • Birdwatching in Pondicherry is excellent, over 250 species have been observed.