Tips!

This page contains a variety of tips for doing the New Hampshire Rail Trails Challenge. If you have helpful tips to share, please email them to us at info@nhrtc.org.

  • We highly recommend using the New Hampshire Rail Trails book by Charles Martin as the best guide for the most detailed information on New Hampshire’s rail trails.
  • Be sure to review The Challenge rules listed here.
  • You might want to combine completing one or more rails in a single day, depending on your preferred mileage. Many rail trails connect directly to each other, for example Goffstown & Manchester, Granite Town & Brookline,  and more. Check out the state map to plan your adventures.
  • If you use Facebook, consider joining the New Hampshire Rail Trails Challenge Facebook Group. It is a forum for sharing tips, ideas, and photos on the New Hampshire Rail Trails Challenge.
  • Check these sources for most recent updates on The Challenge:
  • Mason-Greenville Rail Trail – The largest segment of this trail ends where it intersects Route 31 in Greenville, at an old blocked off bridge abutment, you cannot go any further. There is no need to do the short segment of the trail that exists on the other side of Route 31 to complete The Challenge. Doing this longest section is good enough!
  • Granite Town Rail Trail – Where this trail intersects Melendy Road, there is a set of steep wooden steps with no railing. Bikes must be carried up and down these steps, if possible. This trail also contains an uphill section that may be challenging by bike. Consider walking this trail or doing it in segments to avoid the steps altogether.
  • Sugar River Rail Trail & Freemont Branch of Rockingham Rail Trail – Both these trails allow ATV use & have significant sections of very soft deep sand which may make it difficult to bicycle on, unless using a fat bike. Consider using a fat bike, walking this trail, or doing it in winter on snow shoes or cross country skis.

Easy Peasy!

Here are some rail trails that are either paved or have excellent compacted gravel surface – easy to walk on & good for kids on small bikes. Consider starting with these trails to begin your New Hampshire Rail Trails Challenge!