Best of Merrimack Region, NH

. Purgatory fallsSee latest trail reviews or download Map Pack

Map highlighting region within New Hampshire 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 some the region's best trails. We link to individual trail reviews with photography and smartphone route maps for easy navigation. Or scroll down to our free Map Pack for ALL our trail reviews in a single download for offline route finding.

Hiking Trails

Purgatory falls 4★ Purgatory Falls
Mont Vernon • 1-5 mi • Easy
Chain of three waterfalls along Purgatory Brook. We've mapped out routes for hikers of all skill levels.

Oak hill fire tower 4★ South Mt Pawtuckaway
Nottingham • 1-6 mi • Moderate
Several routes to this popular fire tower atop a mountain created by a ring dike.

distant views from Hedgehog Mountain 4★ Hedgehog Mountain
Deering • 2-8 mi • Moderate
An often overlooked gem surrounded by spectacular views, offering varied terrain and a ridgeline hike.

This rock really does look like a bullfrog from this angle 4★ Frog Rock
New Boston • 1 mi • Easy
A short excursion to a curious rock that has been a hidden local spectacle for over a century.


Rail Trails

The image shows a vintage locomotive with the number 20 on its side, displayed in an outdoor setting with a clear blue sky. The locomotive is red and black, featuring a large headlamp on the front and is situated on tracks. There is a passenger car attached behind it, painted in red. To the left of the locomotive, there is a covered platform structure resembling a train station waiting area. 4★ Rockingham Portsmouth Branch Rail Trail
Manchester-Rockinham • 28 mi • Easy
Long hardpack trail traversing countryside out of Manchester toward the coast.
A birds-eye view of new boston, with rolling hills beyond 4★ New Boston Rail Trail
New Boston • 5 mi • 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.
The peak of the former Milford railroad station 4★ Granite-Brookline-Potanpio Rail Trails
Milford-Brookline • 11 mi • Easy & Moderate
Remarkably varied and scenic route heading South out of Milford past ponds, through forest and across a covered bridge.
A blue liveried Boston & Maine caboose 4★ Derry & Windham Rail Trails
Derry-Windham • 8 mi • Easy
Smooth asphalt trail suitable for all, this trail also continues South into Massachusets on the Salem and Methuen rail trails.

Trailspotting Map Pack


 MAP PACK:  NH Sunapee Region
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Instructions

Map Packs provide a single smartphone download of all the region's trails, with trail reviews and route navigation. Free for personal use and even work when you're offline. We also like to using them as a 'todo' list - deleting each trail from our personal copy of the map as we visit each destination.

Regional Categories
• Rating  5 stars   4+ stars   4 stars   3 stars 
• Type  all hikes   all railtrails 
• Difficulty  easy   moderate   hard 
• Mileage  0-3 miles   3-5 miles   5-7 miles   7-10 miles   10+ miles 
• 4+ Star Hikes      0-3 miles   3-5 miles   5-7 miles   7-10 miles   10+ miles 


Best hiking trails and rail trails in New Hampshire
Best Trails of New Hampshire
See our favorite hiking trails and rail trails for each region of New Hampshire.

Rail Trail Map of New Hampshire
New Hampshire Rail Trails
The state's first and only complete rail trail map. Photos, reviews and downloads.

New Hampshire Covered Bridges
New Hampshire Covered Bridges
Maps, lists, directions and nearby trails to the state's covered bridges.
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