Nashua Heritage Rail Trail, NH

• 3-star trail
• 1.3 miles each way
• Easy difficulty | Easy elevation
• Nashua, NH | Merrimack Region
• Driving Directions: Marked ⬤ on map


Tree-lined trail at the west end.

Trailspotting Rail Trail Map
NH's first complete rail trail map. With links to our reviews, photos & detailed route maps.

An urban rail trail suitable for both pedestrians and cyclists, the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail cuts an east-west route across the south side of town. Connecting neighborhoods along a non-motorized route, the trail links Nashua City Hall, Mine Falls Park and lots of local amenities. We found the trail to be popular with local recreational trail users as well as folks using it to get about town.

The trail was once part of the Worcester & Nashua Railroad that went into service in 1845 and connected the city's other lines with central Massachusetts. Though the rails on this route were abandoned in the 1940s this section of the route survives as a public park, as does the twelve mile length of rail trail further south of the city known as the Nashua River Rail Trail.

Asphalt, Bike Lane, Live Rail, Historic. Expand ↓ Map

Nashua Heritage Rail Trail 4★
1.3 miles each way, Easy, No gradient.
Trailspotting Map: AllTrails
Trailspotting Map: GPX Download
Trailspotting Map: Google Earth KMZ

Though Nashua's urban trail might lack some natural features close to town, community gardens and colorful painted murals successfully brighten up the route. Heading west along the paved trail away from town, the buildings become increasingly residential and the last stretches of trail are lined with pleasant grass verges and trees. Some graffiti seems to persist in this neighborhood, but the majority of the trail is clean and well-kept.

The 300-acre Mine Falls Park connects to the rail trail via a short cycle path and offers miles of trails in a beautiful natural setting, surrounded by trees, canal and a meandering stretch of the Nashua River.


Nashua's authorized and unauthorized street art.

There are several parking options close to the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail which we've marked on our map, including some at the nearby sports facilities. Closest opportunities to park a vehicle are on the residential streets that abut the trail, but please be respectful of residents when doing so.

Plans are in place to extend the trail further east. The Nashua Heritage Rail Trail East project is to construct a ten-foot wide paved multi-use trail along the former rail line from Main Street to the Denton Street intersection. The project includes safe ADA compliant crossings, lighting and restoration of the Commercial Street Bridge for pedestrian and bicycle use. Presently in the preliminary design phase, construction is currently scheduled for 2026/2027.

Trail Conditions:
Smooth asphalt and no discernable gradients. Eleven well-signed road crossings, none of which are major highways.

Pleasant green verges along a residential section.


Sunflowers brightening up this urban trail.

Tangents:
• YouTube: Trail video (early Dec 2023)
• External Links: Official, TrailLink, Public Map at AllTrails
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

Nearby Trails:
• 4 miles away: Nashua River RT (4★ 12mi)
• 8 miles away: Windham Greenway RT (3★ 3mi)
• Show on map: All nearby rail trails

Join our Facebook Group
Receive new articles around once a week with trail reviews, maps and photos.

Trailspotting Gear Suggestions
Learn about our trail essentials, hiking equipment, tips, bicycles and photography gear.