Biking

There may be lots of terrain, and bike types, to choose from when you go biking at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, but they all have one thing in common: fun, fun, fun. Explore the forests, pass by scenic rivers and through beautiful meadows, and revel in the amazing mountain views when you set out on the center’s smooth, well-marked carriage roads. For more adventurous riders, there are sections of single track, from easier to intermediate levels. Bring your own bike or rent one, for two or four hours, at the Outfitters Shop, with all the latest bikes and gear and experienced, friendly staff. The shop features mountain bikes, fat bikes, comfort bikes, Trail-a-Bikes for youth and bike trailers for toddlers.

Bring your mountain bike to the Purity Spring Resort: You won’t be disappointed! Bikers of all levels will appreciate the wide path over a Nordic trail network. The dirt and paved terrain is perfect for beginners and more advanced riders. Beginners will be happy with no major drops or jumps; more advanced riders will enjoy some of the single-track stretches. Both will appreciate the beauty of biking along pristine Purity Lake. And you don’t have to give up biking in the ski season: The King Pine Ski Area offers fat biking, a great winter workout. After your biking adventures, head back to the resort to take a dip in the indoor pool, relax in the hot tub or enjoy a meal at Traditions Restaurant or the Pine Cone Cafe.

Bring your bike to Bethlehem, N.H., and you can really call yourself a big wheel: You’ll be biking in the highest town in New England! The area features miles and miles of trails for mountain and road, and gravel bikes all year and fat tire bikes in the winter. Bethlehem has over 14 miles of some of the best mountain bike trails in the area and Parker Mountain Trails in Littleton has a 22-mile network of fantastic trails for all levels. There’s also the Franconia Profile trails which have almost 40 miles of mountain bike trails and the Franconia Notch Bike Path with a 20-mile round trip running parallel to the parkway, and the Ammonoosuc Rail Trail that runs along the Ammonoosuc River from Littleton to Woodstock as well as the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail that goes right through Town. And of course, our roads have spectacular scenery to enjoy while riding. Go on the website and download a printable map of the Bethlehem Trail Association’s many trails for biker of all ages and experience levels.

Happy trails for all types of bikers are everywhere in the Androscoggin Valley, NH region. Nestled amid two of New Hampshire’s most scenic regions, the White Mountains and the Great North Woods, the area is blessed with scenic trails that wind along rivers, through scenic parks – even down mountains. Imagine mountain biking surrounded by the explosion of color that marks autumn in New Hampshire (Milan Hill State Park is a great option), or leisurely biking along smooth, rolling carriage roads past meadows at Great Glen Trails, stopping to enjoy a picturesque mountain view while enjoying a picnic lunch. Bike by the lake in Jericho Mountain State Park. And don’t think biking has to stop when winter arrives. Check with area ski resorts about fat biking.

Come see why Bethlehem, NH is one of only three communities in the country to be certified as a Bike Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Whether you are looking for great mountain biking, road and gravel biking or winter fat-tire biking, you’ll find a welcoming environment here in the highest town in New England. Bike the community network of trails in Bethlehem, Littleton and Franconia, NH. Bike the North Country also has year-round events, trail challenges and classes. Or, follow the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail along the Ammonoosuc River, with great places to stay, visit and eat. The Shoulder Roll trail has smooth berms and a rock roller for those who want to really put their skills on display.

Biking is taken to a whole other level at Laconia Rail Bikes. Climb into your four-seater, custom-made rail bike and travel a 5-mile round trip ride along the shores of Lake Winnisquam, New Hampshire’s fourth largest lake. Your trip starts at the Laconia, NH Railroad Station, goes through the Belmont Woods and along the lake shores. While you rest along the lakeshore halfway through the trip (bring a snack and water), your tour guides will spin the bikes around for the journey back home. The trip goes past the site of the former Laconia Car Company, which built rail cars from 1844 to 1928, over a trestle bridge crossing the Winnipesaukee River and Durkee Brook. All tours are led by trained guides at the front and rear of each group.

At Odiorne Point State Park, bicyclists can enjoy sweeping views of the Atlantic ocean and rocky shore, and explore evidence of past military occupation. A paved recreational path is available, and an extensive network of trails wind through the dense vegetation and traverse the park. The Seacoast Science Center, which is located in the park, has exhibits relating to the natural and human history of Odiorne and the seacoast area.
Trail Map

Moose Brook State Park in White Mountains offers a variety of outdoor activities, including walking and mountain biking on a profusion of trails.
Hiking and mountain biking trails.
See full description of Moose Brook State Park

This extensive trail features lots of beautiful scenery, like covered bridges, historic mill towns, and abundant wildlife. Unfortunately, it also features sandy, muddy, and even flooded trail sections after heavy rains, so bicyclists take note. The Ashuelot Railroad, operated from 1851 to 1983, fostering the development of textile mills, wooden box factories, and leather tanneries in the region. Watch for the original granite mile markers, which pop up periodically along the trail.
Trailhead & Parking: Off of Emerald Street in Keene; off of NH Route 63 (Northfield Road) in Hinsdale. Consult trail map.

This path travels the length of Franconia Notch and provides access to all of Franconia Notch State Park facilities and natural features. Cannon Mountain offers bike rentals and shuttle service. Access to the Franconia Notch Bike Path from the base of the Aerial Tramway, Exit 34B, I-93. Shuttle rides will be available from the Flume Gorge back to the Tram. See recreation path link for more information about using the bike path.

The Derry Rail Trail is 3.6 miles from the Center of Derry to Windham Road, where it meets up with the Windham Rail Trail. It follows the Derry section of the old Manchester and Lawrence Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad. To access the trail from I-93, take Exit 4, to RT-102 East towards the center of Derry. You will go straight through the light at Fordway until you see the Derry Depot Steakhouse on your right and Bensons Lumber/Derry Feed on your left. The trail crosses right there at the red brick crosswalk. You can park in the municipal parking lot down the hill behind the Derry Depot Steakhouse on Abbot Court.
Trail Map

The Piscataquog Trail is a 10 ft wide, paved recreational trail in the West Side of Manchester. The trail is highly utilized by cyclists and pedestrians and allows residents from the West Side of Manchester to the amenities of downtown.  Future phases of the Piscataquog Trail include the rehabilitation of the abandoned railroad trestle bridge crossing the Piscataquog River and linking to the Goffstown Rail Trail and additional trail networks along the West bank of the Piscataquog River. Once complete, the trail will be approximately 3 miles in length. Access Points: West Side Arena, MerchantsAuto.com Stadium, Third Street.
Trail Map

The Rockingham Recreational Trail follows an abandoned railroad corridor from Tarrytown Road to Lake Massabesic. The trail is approximately 10 ft wide and unpaved, and is highly utilized by walkers, joggers and trail cyclists. Trail users can continue into an additional trail network at Lake Massabesic. Additionally, urban residents have access to the trail to connect them to the natural and rural setting of Lake Massabesic, without depending on motorized transport. Access Points: Lake Massabesic, Candia Road, Tarrytown Road.
Trail Map

The South Manchester Rail Trail is partially paved and is located parallel to South Willow Street, the most traffic congested area of the City.  This 10 foot wide, partially paved trail provides abutting neighborhoods with access to the wealth of amenities on South Willow Street without utilizing a motorized vehicle.  In addition to connecting residents with the retail options, the trail also runs along Nutt's Pond and connects to Precourt Park, where visitors can enjoy soccer and baseball fields. Access Points: Shaw's Parking Lot on South Willow Street.
Trail Map

This paved scenic trail provides a smooth path for bicyclists, starting from the intersection of Routes 111 and 28 in Salem, and continuing to a point on North Lowell Road in Windham. This is a scenic stretch of trail, which traverses by a farm pasture, apple orchard, two ponds and marshes, is predominately wooded. There are two bridges that the trail crosses. One is built of New Hampshire granite as an archway and provides a unique architectural significance. Two high stone cuts provide a cool section of passing on hot days, and in the winter support multi-colored ice flow “sculptures.” The trail also passes several stonewalls, and a cellar hole from an 1800’s sawmill.
Trail Map

This trail parallels the Winnipesaukee River and passes the historic Sulphite upside down covered bridge believed to be the only one in the country and listed on the national register of historic places. You will also view mill ruins and remaining portions of dams that tell the history of the 5 mills that operated on this river in the mid 19th century. The trail runs from the historic rail road trestle in Franklin to the Surrett Battery property just off Park Street in Northfield. In that area you can also view the collection of antique rail cars and cabooses that operate on the local scenic railway.

This rail trail runs near Route 4, which leads to all of the trail’s access sites and parking. Large parking lots are marked, other access points usually have some suitable parking nearby. The trail begins at Webster Place off Route 3 in Franklin and ends at Spencer Street in Lebanon. The trail surface is good for walking and biking and cross country skiing.
Parking & Trailheads: Spencer Street in Lebanon; Route 4 and Potter Place in Andover: Highland Lake Inn Trailhead in East Andover; Gerrish Depot off Route 3 in Boscawen.

An easy and beautiful recreational bike ride is the loop that travels between Swanzey and West Swanzey, touching or passing very close to the five covered bridges that cross the Ashuelot River and its tributaries. Consult the map and you will see that routes 10 and 32 are some parallel and they serve as bookends for the ride with Eaton Road and a convenient cross-over. Following these roads will take you close to the Carleton, Sawyers, West Swanzey, Slate and Coombs covered bridges. Glorious! Take a picnic