Derry & Windham Rail Trails, NH
• 4-star trail
• 7.8 miles each way
• Easy difficulty | Easy elevation
• Derry to Windham NH | Merrimack Region
• Driving Directions: Marked ⬤ on map
Historic Boston & Maine caboose at Windham Junction.
Trailspotting Rail Trail Map
NH's first complete rail trail map. With links to our reviews, photos & detailed route maps.
NH's first complete rail trail map. With links to our reviews, photos & detailed route maps.
With the joining of Derry and Windham trails to the Salem Bike-Ped Corridor, New Hampshire now boasts a thirteen mile continuous asphalt paved trail from the northern boundaries of Derry all the way to Massachusetts. And more is to come as efforts are underway to bridge the mile-long gap to the 4.5 mile Londonderry Rail Trail just to the North. Eventually there are also ambitions to create a state-spanning 125 mile Granite State Rail Trail along this route.
Today however there's already plenty to enjoy. The Derry and Windham Rail Trails pass mostly through scenic woodland, alongside ponds and creeks, across railroad embankments and through cuttings, with little indication of the surrounding low-density residential neighborhoods.
The restored depot buildings and former Boston & Maine caboose at Windham Junction roughly marks the mid-point of the two trails. From here you could also pick up the old Worcester, Nashua & Rochester Railroad that intersects at this point, although these trails - Windham Greenway to the West, and Rockingham-Fremont to the East - are much rougher and best suited to mountain and gravel bikes.
Asphalt, 
Rough, 
Bike Lane, 
Road,
Historic. Derry & Windham Rail Trails 4★7.8 mi ea way, Easy, Elevation nominal.
Trailspotting Map: AllTrails
Trailspotting Map: GPX Download
Trailspotting Map: Google Earth KMZ
In the town of Derry bikers must dismount as they pass the old Derry station, which is now a restaurant. Further North a short section of quiet road biking is required before returning to a dedicated rail trail by Hoods Pond.
It is possible to continue North beyond the Derry Rail trail and on to the Londonderry Rail Trail with the use of a mile-long undeveloped section of former railroad line North of Madden Road. Expect hardpack ground with bunny hills, muddy patches and a creek crossing that when we visited was spanned by a rudimentary bridge. The plans to complete this connection were initially stymied by property issues, but are now mostly tied up by plans for a new I-93 freeway exit at this location.
The Derry & Windham Rail Trails have been a great success story, and popularity with walkers, families and cyclists alike show that great trails bring lots of opportunity for recreation, commuting and business growth.
Trail Conditions:
Asphalt throughout with protected road crossings. Mostly flat, slight gradient around 20ft/mi which peaks in the middle at Windham Depot.
Asphalt throughout with protected road crossings. Mostly flat, slight gradient around 20ft/mi which peaks in the middle at Windham Depot.
One of several trailside ponds along the route.
The former Derry passenger depot, now a restaurant.
More flat surfaces on the Windham Rail Trail.
Tangents:
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Derry, Windham
• TrailLink: Derry, Windham
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article
Nearby Trails:
• 0 miles: Rockingham-Fremont (18mi)
• 0 miles: Salem (5mi)
• 0 miles: Windham Greenway RT (3★, 3mi)
• 1 mile: Londonderry (4★, 5mi)
• Show on map: All nearby rail trails
Derry & Windham Rail Trails
See the Derry Rail Trail & Windham Rail Trail website to learn how you can help maintain and improve these trails.
See the Derry Rail Trail & Windham Rail Trail website to learn how you can help maintain and improve these trails.
Our Bicycles
We get questions about the folding bikes that we commonly ride. Check out this article for more information about the self-propelled and electric bikes that we regularly use on the rail trails.
We get questions about the folding bikes that we commonly ride. Check out this article for more information about the self-propelled and electric bikes that we regularly use on the rail trails.
