The Northern Rail Trail (NRT) is the longest rail trail in New Hampshire, a smooth, stonedust-surfaced trail of nearly 58 miles, which for most weekend riders is too far to ride in a single day. We decided to ride it one-way, and complete it in three sections.
In mid-July we rode the southern section of only 18.4 miles. We started early, around 9:30 am to beat the heat, with some success. Since this was a one-way trip; we parked our 2nd car and bike trailer at the Boscawen park-n-ride so we could load up bikes and drive them back to get our 1st vehicles. We then met friends at the Highland Lake rail trail parking near the entrance to Caffee Park Beach in East Andover at Channel Road and Rt. 11.
The first few miles to Webster Lake in Franklin are probably the steepest downhill section of the whole trail, we almost felt like we were coasting. We stopped to see Webster Lake with its pedestrian covered bridge, and at the next road (Carr St.) turn right and detour 200 feet to see Chance Pond.
Our first stop overlooking Webster Lake from the rail trail.
We passed the trail turnoff for NRT parking in Franklin and the on-road connector to the Winnipesaukee river rail trail across town. We stopped to see the old locomotive roundtable by the trail and enjoyed a brief stop at Webster place on Cross Road where historic buildings mark the location of a former orphanage and school. This is part of the 141 acre historic Daniel Webster Farm, which is preserved by the Trust for Public Land. This southern section has frequent views of the Merrimack River providing plenty to see. We easily rolled the 18+ miles to the Hannah Dustin Monument where we loaded our bikes on the trailer and masked-up to shuttle back to our cars at Highland Lake.
A nearby sign has this historic photo and explanation for why the roundtable was here.
After our ride we spent some time at the beach at Webster Lake. Cool water soothes weary soles!
-Rich Westhoff