Best Trails NH: Merrimack Region

• Day hikes & Rail trails
• 0.5 to 11 mile trails
• Easy & Medium difficulties
• New Hampshire | Merrimack Region
• Driving Directions: See trail reviews

Named for the wide and fast-flowing river of the same name, the Merrimack Region encompassess three of New Hampshire's largest cities and much of the state's historic industrial age development. It's also the region that Trailspotting calls home.

Here are what we think are the best trails of the region, summarized below with links to our trail reviews featuring photography and route maps that you can use on your phone for easy navigation. Did we miss your favorite trail? Let us know and we'll make sure to check it out.

Hiking Trails
	Purgatory Falls 4★ Mont Vernon, NH 0.5-5 miles, Easy, Gain 60-430 feet \| Chain of three waterfalls along Purgatory Brook. We've mapped out routes for hikers of all skill levels.
	Oak Hill Tower Trail 4★ Concord, NH 4-5 miles, Easy, 580-780 feet \| Popular with Concord residents, hike to the newly-restored fire tower or loop around the forest to the viewpoints.
	Hedgehog Mountain 4★ Deering, NH 1.6-8 miles, Medium, 397-770 feet \| An often overlooked gem surrounded by spectacular views, offering varied terrain and a ridgeline hike.
	Frog Rock 4★ New Boston, NH 0.8 miles, Easy, 20 feet \| A short excursion to a curious rock that has been a hidden local spectacle for over a century.

Rail Trails
	New Boston Rail Trail 4★ New Boston, NH 5 miles, Easy \| A tranquil riverside trail leading to the picturesque and well preserved old town of New Boston. Easy 2 mile connection to the Goffstown Trail.
	Granite-Brookline-Potanpio Rail Trails 4★ Milford to Brookline, NH 11 miles, Easy & Medium sections \| Remarkably varied and scenic route heading South out of Milford past ponds, through forest and across a covered bridge.
	Derry & Windham Rail Trails 4★ Derry to Windham, NH 8 miles, Easy \| Smooth asphalt trail suitable for all, this trail also continues South into Massachusets on the Salem and Methuen rail trails.

Trail Map

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Hiking Trails
	Purgatory Falls 4★ Mont Vernon, NH 0.5-5 miles, Easy, Gain 60-430 feet \| Chain of three waterfalls along Purgatory Brook. We've mapped out routes for hikers of all skill levels.
	Oak Hill Tower Trail 4★ Concord, NH 4-5 miles, Easy, 580-780 feet \| Popular with Concord residents, hike to the newly-restored fire tower or loop around the forest to the viewpoints.
	Hedgehog Mountain 4★ Deering, NH 1.6-8 miles, Medium, 397-770 feet \| An often overlooked gem surrounded by spectacular views, offering varied terrain and a ridgeline hike.
	Frog Rock 4★ New Boston, NH 0.8 miles, Easy, 20 feet \| A short excursion to a curious rock that has been a hidden local spectacle for over a century.

Rail Trails
	New Boston Rail Trail 4★ New Boston, NH 5 miles, Easy \| A tranquil riverside trail leading to the picturesque and well preserved old town of New Boston. Easy 2 mile connection to the Goffstown Trail.
	Granite-Brookline-Potanpio Rail Trails 4★ Milford to Brookline, NH 11 miles, Easy & Medium sections \| Remarkably varied and scenic route heading South out of Milford past ponds, through forest and across a covered bridge.
	Derry & Windham Rail Trails 4★ Derry to Windham, NH 8 miles, Easy \| Smooth asphalt trail suitable for all, this trail also continues South into Massachusets on the Salem and Methuen rail trails.