Northern Rail Trail, NH

• 4 & 5-star trail
• 58 miles each way
• Easy | Low & moderate gradient
• Lebanon to Boscawen, NH | Sunapee Region
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A traditional covered wooden bridge with a truss structure spanning over a river with flowing water and rapids. The bridge is supported by stone abutments and surrounded by trees with green foliage, indicating spring or summer. A road runs parallel to the river on the right, with a building barely visible behind the trees on the right bank

Packard Hill Covered Bridge close to the Northern Rail Trail.

The epic Northern Rail Trail spans the rural center of New Hampshire, beginning close to Concord and winding along river valleys, along lake shores and between rolling hillsides for fifty eight miles. Comprised of a mostly hardpack surface on a former railroad bed, the trail achieves this with no hills to climb, making this an excellent bicycling trail for cyclists of almost all abilities.

With this article we provide the map not only for the whole route, but assume many of our readers will want to experience sections of the Northern Rail at a time. To that end, we've provided an elevation profile that identifies towns along the route, and on our map we show the location of (and include driving directions to) all the parking locations we can find.

Asphalt,

Hardpack,

No Access, ⬤ Parking Expand ↓ Map

4 & 5★ Northern Rail Trail 58.0 miles each way, easy, gain 1540 ft (1860 ft E-W)
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

We've awarded the Northern Trail with both 4-star and 5-star reviews, but our five star rating is reserved for the western most section of trail between Lebanon and Enfield. The trail exits Lebanon along a tree lined journey along a string of bridges that cross the Mascoma River many times. After the fourth such bridge, considering backtracking along Riverside Drive to reach the picturesque location of Packard Hill Covered Bridge. Beyond this and several other river crossings you reach Mascoma Lake. Continuing on will take you through the small town of Enfield and past the huge buildings and dam of the former Upper Baltic Mills, a site which has remained idle for the past fifty years.

The whole of the Northern Rail Trail is a celebration of New Hampshire diversity - beginning and ending at two of the states larger towns, but passing through scenic countryside, small towns and other areas close to wilderness. Enjoy views of several rivers, creeks, lakes, ponds and even a total of three covered bridges close to the trail.

A panoramic view of a rural landscape with a large red barn with white trim and a cupola, smaller red outbuildings, and a white house with green shutters connected by an enclosed breezeway. The property is bordered by a wooden fence and surrounded by lush green grass, with dense forests and rolling hills in the background under a clear blue sky with scattered clouds.

A hillside farm close to Canaan.

A panoramic view of a serene lakeside setting with reflections of the surrounding area on the water’s surface. Houses are nestled among trees at the foot of a hill covered with dense green foliage. The sky is mostly clear with a few clouds, and a tree branch with leaves is visible in the upper left corner.

Houses reflecting across Mascoma Lake.

As a former Northern Railroad route expect to see remnants of the industrial age on your journey, including several passenger depots, stretches of partly-hidden and abandoned track and even the remains of an old turntable close to the town of Franklin. Potter's Place is a favorite - a restored railroad station and rolling stock that is also the home of the Andover Historical Society Museum.

The Northern Rail Trail also connects to the 2 mile Mascoma River Greenway rail trail, which picks up the same rail route on the west side of Lebanon and is the subject of a future trail review. You can also reach the dramatic Winnipesaukee River Rail Trail via a short 1 mile connection across the town of Franklin.

Trail Conditions: Mostly smooth hardpack surface suitable for almost all cyclists. Gradients are slight in most locations.

A historical train station named ‘Potter Place’ with a vintage red caboose parked on the tracks beside it. The station features classic architectural design with decorative trim and multiple windows. A semaphore signal next to the station adds to the authenticity of this railway scene, suggesting its historical significance or preservation as a heritage site

The restored Potters Place is now Andover's historical museum.

A person riding a bicycle on a gravel path surrounded by greenery, including grass, bushes, and trees. A small wooden building with a sloped roof is visible on the right side of the path under a partly cloudy sky.

Riding past Gerrish Depot, last used as a 1950s jail.

The Friends of the Northern Rail Trail have kindly identified three e-bike charging stations on the route, so we've added them to our map. They are viewable by expanding the map and activating the 'other resources' section. One of these locations is also the Danbury Country Store, situated in the middle of the whole trail and is a great place to order a sandwich or stock up on drinks.

A large, multi-story brick building, likely an old mill or industrial facility, adjacent to a waterfall cascading over a man-made dam. The scene includes clear skies with some clouds and lush greenery around the area

The former Upper Baltic Mill is still standing in Enfield.

A person riding a bicycle on a gravel path bordered by green foliage on the left and an open field on the right. A small white sign with black text reading ‘WRJ 62’ is visible on the right side of the path under a clear sky.”

By Boscawen, 62 miles from White River Junction

Tangents:
• NH State Parks: Northern Recreational Rail Trail
• External Link: Friends of the Northern Rail Trail
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Northern Rail Trail
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

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