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A long rail-trail through hardwood forest with rich railroad history.


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Map Key

28.4

Miles

45.8

KM

Singletrack

441' 135 m

High

53' 16 m

Low

287' 88 m

Up

566' 173 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (0°)

2%

Max Grade (1°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Views

Description

The Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail can be done as a point-to-point or out-and-back depending on how many miles you're willing to pedal.

Start at the western trailhead at Tarrytown Road in Manchester, or catch the trail from Page Road. The route climbs gradually and then steeply for the first six miles or so through hardwood and conifer forests.

About 6.5 miles into the ride, you'll encounter a narrow culvert beneath a road, with limited overhead clearance. This is a good place to dismount and walk your bike. In East Candia, look for a historical marker that describes a demolished railroad depot. It's also the start of an extended downhill section that dives into dense forest.

The route alternates between being on the edge of the forest and traveling through the forest above high-walled cuts blasted through New Hampshire's famous granite, remnant from the days of railroad construction.

In Raymond, you pedal past a restored train station. You can't miss the locomotive and rail cars displayed between the trail and the station. Just beyond town, you'll cross an impressive railroad bridge and then jump back into the beautiful hardwood forest found throughout the route.

The trail ends at the Newfields railroad depot marks on the eastern end of the trail.

Shared By:

Leslie Kehmeier with improvements by Ken Henault

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 7 votes

#1

in Manchester

#19785

Overall
  3.6 from 7 votes
5 Star
43%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
43%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
14%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Manchester

#192

in New Hampshire

#19,785

Overall
12 Views Last Month
4,476 Since Sep 16, 2016
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

50%
17%
33%
0%
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Photos

One of three tunnels on the Western end of the trail
May 7, 2021 near Auburn, NH
Toward the Eastern end of the trail
May 7, 2021 near Raymond, NH
Railroad museum in Raymond
May 7, 2021 near Raymond, NH
Lake view on the Rockingham Rail Trail.
Dec 13, 2017 near Raymond, NH
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 12, 2020
Adriana HernandezOrduna
There was a closed bridge, so we had to take a detour for the main road 11.6mi — 1h 30m
Jun 16, 2018
Anisha Mehta
13mi
Aug 20, 2017
Brandon Provo
20.2mi
May 13, 2017
Christopher Clinton
12 round trip, so I covered 6 mi of trail from the northeastern end. 12mi
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