There’s more than one way to skin a cat, as they say. And, while we don’t love thinking about skinning cats, we do think the notion applies to hiking. There are so many ways to enjoy the great outdoors here in New Hampshire, that you could try a different trail, mountain, or forest every weekend and still have plenty to do year after year. We’ve given you plenty of outdoor options over the years, but we might just love rail trails the most. They follow the route of tracks from years past and they’re almost always well-cared for and simple routes. This one, the longest in the state, is one of our favorites.
Development of the Northern Rail Trail began in 1996 after the state purchased the rails formerly used for the Boston and Maine Railroad’s Northern Line.
Heather King / alltrails.com
It spans a whopping 57.6 miles from Lebanon to Boscawen, making it the longest rail-trail conversion in the entire state of New Hampshire.
Kevin Purdy / alltrails.com
The state owns the trail, but work to create and preserve it has been done by each individual county through which the trail passes.
Kevin Purdy / alltrails.com
We recommend starting your trip in Lebanon, the northern end of the trail, which will ensure that most of the trip slopes slightly downhill. This is also a good place to stock up on supplies to make sure you’re not caught without anything you might need between towns.
Philip Anderson / alltrails.com
The start of the trail is relatively easy and it’s big on beauty, featuring no less than 9 bridge crossings over the Mascoma River in the first four miles alone.
Jenny Limowa / alltrails.com
In the summer, this is where you’ll want to plan to stop for a swim in Mascoma Lake.
Philip Anderson / alltrails.com
For the next 30 to 40 miles you’ll go from Enfield to Danbury to Andover to Franklin.
Philip Anderson / alltrails.com
This area is more dense, so you might meet more people here.
Jennifer Pacelli / alltrails.com
This area is also where you’ll find Webster Lake, beautiful any time of year but especially wonderful when you can swim!
Carole Gadois / alltrails.com
There are a number of attractions to see along the way as well, including the remains of the turntable that helped change the direction of locomotives using the tracks.
Philip Anderson / alltrails.com
For the remaining 11 miles south, you’ll closely follow US 3 and the Merrimack River to the trail’s end at a cornfield in the southern reaches of Boscawen.
Google Maps
Another reason for starting at the northern trailhead is the parking situation. It’s significantly easier to park in Lebanon, though if you choose to start in Boscawen you should plan on parking at the Jamie Welch Memorial Field in Boscawen Town Park which is about 2 miles north.
Heather King / alltrails.com
Kevin Purdy / alltrails.com
Philip Anderson / alltrails.com
Jenny Limowa / alltrails.com
Jennifer Pacelli / alltrails.com
Carole Gadois / alltrails.com
Google Maps
To get to the trailhead in Lebanon, take Exit 18 on I-89. From here, you’ll head south on NH 120 for nearly a half mile before turning left on Hanover St. Continue on US 4/S, which is also Park Street. After a quarter of a mile turn left onto E. Park St./Campbell St. Then, make a right onto Parkhurst St. followed by an immediate left onto Spencer St. You’ll find parking in Eldridge Park and the trailhead is just to your right.
A second parking lot can be found east of this point along the trail, located at the address 35 Riverside Drive, Lebanon.
If heading outdoors in the winter isn’t high on your list of things to do, fear not! There’s plenty to do inside, including this water park with a fun basketball court and even an indoor beach!
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