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May 10th, 10AM
The Northern Rail Trail
Presented by the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail
May 17th, 10AM
Scenic Upper Valley
Presented by Upper Valley E-Bike Initiative, Vermont Sierra Club, and New Hampshire Sierra Club
May 18th, 10AM
WOW Trail and Winni Scenic Trail
Presented by the WOW Trail
May 20th, 5:30PM
The Seacoast Greenway
Presented by Treeline Outfitters, Seacoast Area Bike Riders (SABR), and The Seacoast Greenway
May 24th, 10AM
Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail
Presented by Granite State Wheelers
May 25th, 1PM
New Boston Rail Trail
Presented by the New Boston Rail Trail Committee
May 30th, 5:30PM
Manchester City Ride
Presented by the QC Bike Collective
May 31st, 10AM
Cheshire Rail Trail
Presented by the Monadnock Region Rail Trail Collaborative
June 7th, 9AM
Tour de Francestown
Presented by Francestown Old Meeting House
(This is NOT a BWANH event, and any questions should be directed to them – BWANH is helping with marketing)
June 8th, 10AM
Presidential Rail Trail
Presented by Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail
Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect from these guided rail trail tours:
Scenic Routes: From rolling hills to serene lakeshores, each rail trail offers its unique charm. Discover hidden gems and breathtaking views as you pedal through New Hampshire’s diverse landscapes.
History: Our tours are not just about cycling but also about learning. Discover the rich history of the railroads that once traversed these trails. Knowledgeable guides will share fascinating stories about the evolution of these routes, enriching your understanding of the region’s past.
Welcoming: These tours are all about inclusivity and welcoming cyclists of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. Whether you’re riding solo, with friends, or with the whole family, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and feel a part of the cycling community.
Supportive Environment: Don’t worry if you’re new to cycling or haven’t been on a bike in years. Experienced guides will provide tips on bike handling, safety practices, and how to make the most of the rail trail experience.
Community Partnerships: The Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire is proud to partner with organizations like the Granite State Wheelers, Upper Valley E-Bike Initiative, and Treeline Outfitters, among many others, to promote cycling and outdoor recreation in our communities. Together, we’re creating opportunities for people to connect with nature and lead active, healthy lifestyles.
So join in for a celebration of National Bike Month as we pedal our way through the beauty of New Hampshire’s rail trails. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely ride or a new adventure, these guided tours promise unforgettable experiences and lasting memories. Let’s celebrate the joy of cycling together!
Space is limited, and registration is required for these free rides. For additional information and to register, click the links below.
Tour de New Hampshire Ride Schedule
Saturday, May 10, 2025 – Northern Rail Trail (10AM ride start)
Presented by Friends of the Northern Rail Trail
Start Location: The beginning of the Northern Rail Trail on Commercial Street in Boscawen (Near the Hannah Dustin monument). Parking is available, and there is a picnic table.
There will be two groups of riders
One with a brisk pace, with Joe Olimpio leading, aka “Ride with Joe”. This group will ride 10 miles out toward Franklin and then turn around. 20 miles total. This would be for more advanced riders.
The second group will ride at a leisurely pace, heading to Gerrish Depot and returning along the same route. This is about 6 miles to the Depot, with a total distance of around 13 miles. This group may stop periodically to point out interesting historical items along the way. Elaine Clow, President of the Boscawen Historical Society, will be at the Gerrish Depot to discuss information about the historic location.
This year, the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail is subsidizing the location of a porta potty at Gerrish Depot, which will be available for riders.
Saturday, May 17, 2025 (10AM ride start)
Presented by Upper Valley E-Bike Initiative, Vermont Sierra Club, and New Hampshire Sierra Club
Start Location: Gather at the Norwich Farmer’s Market at 9AM for coffee
The route will go on Route 5 to Cedar Circle Farm in East Thetford, VT., and return via River Rd and Route 10 in NH. The ride length is 20 miles. It is mostly flat except for two steep hills on the return leg. It is a scenic route that features the charming Norwich Farmer’s Market, striking views of the Connecticut River, Dartmouth College boathouse, Cedar Circle Farm and Educational Center with multiple fields, plants, and greenhouses, complimentary coffee and snacks at the Cedar Circle coffee shop.
Sunday, May 18, (10AM ride start) – WOW Trail and Winni Scenic Trail
Presented by WOW Trail
Start Location: Elm St trailhead in Lakeport
The WOW Trail is a paved, 10-foot-wide, multi-use rail trail in the City of Laconia enjoyed by bikers, walkers, and runners of all ages. The Winni Trail is a paved route that offers scenic views of Lake Winnisquam and the surrounding wooded areas.
Built within the State of New Hampshire owned railroad right-of-way, alongside the active tracks currently leased to the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, the trail currently spans from Elm Street in Lakeport to downtown Laconia and then on to the Belmont town line where it meets with Belmont’s Winnisquam Scenic Trail, creating 4.25 miles of continuous trail between Lakeport and Belmont’s Osborne’s Agway. The northern end of the Winni Trail connects to the WOW Trail, which travels east towards Laconia.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 (5:30PM ride start)
Presented by Treeline Outfitters, Seacoast Area Bike Riders (SABR), and The Seacoast Greenway
Start Location: Treeline Outfitters on Brewery Lane
10-20 mile mixed surface ride! ALL are welcome! The New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway (NHSG) is a bicycle and pedestrian route that is designed to connect the eight coastal communities of Seabrook, Hampton Falls, Hampton, North Hampton, Rye, Greenland, New Castle, and Portsmouth. The route will total 17.2 miles using the abandoned corridor of the former Boston and Maine Railroad from Seabrook to Portsmouth.
From its northern end on Barberry Lane in Portsmouth, the rail-trail heads south through deep New England woodlands. Along the way, the trail provides access to neighborhoods, the new Portsmouth Skate Park (with a portion of its parking area designated for trailhead use), a golf course, and a model airplane airfield. The trail’s southern end is accessible from a trailhead with a small paved parking lot on Lafayette Rd/US-1 at the North Hampton/Hampton border.
Saturday, May 24, 2025 (10AM ride start)
Presented by Granite State Wheelers
Start Location: Newfields Trail Head, across from Rockingham Ballroom on Ash Swamp Road
This 28-mile, rustic out-and-back trail is rich in railroad structures left over from a time when the extensive Boston and Maine Railroad network flourished alongside New England’s mill towns. The Rockingham Recreational Trail follows the Portsmouth Branch. Much of the trail stretches through hardwood forests and near standing water bodies and bogs. The railbed rises above the forest floor in some places, while other stretches run through high-walled cuts blasted through New Hampshire’s famous granite during the railroad’s construction.
This route starts at the Newfields Trailhead and heads west to the Raymond Historical Society, located in the Raymond Depot building. The Raymond Depot was built in 1893. There, we will see four pieces of rolling stock: a 1932 Whitcomb Engine, a 1932 Caboose, a 1953 Refrigerator Box Car, and a 1944 Push Car. This site also has a B&M trackside building, an Observation Building, a tool museum, and a one-room schoolhouse.
Sunday, May 25, 2025 (1PM ride start)
Presented by New Boston Rail Trail Committee
Start Location: New Boston Town Hall Parking Lot and Gazebo
The ride begins and ends at the Town Hall Parking Lot and Gazebo in New Boston. It’s a roughly 12-mile ride each way to Manchester’s West Side Ice Arena, for a total of 24 miles. The route includes 4 miles of the New Boston Rail Trail, 2 miles on roads with wide shoulders or low traffic, 5.5 miles on the Goffstown Rail Trail, and ½ mile on Manchester’s Piscataquog River Trail. Most of the route is packed gravel, the rest paved. The route offers much of what New Hampshire rail trails have to offer, featuring views of the quiet South Branch of the Piscataquog River, Glen Lake, and Namaske Lake. Also along the route are Lang Station, Goffstown village, a historic cemetery near the former state women’s prison, and a bridge over the Piscataquog River. This rail trail follows the route of a rail line that supplied milk and produce from New Boston to Boston; historical interpretation will be provided along the way.
Friday, May 30, 2025 (5:30PM ride start)
Presented by QC Bike Collective
Start Location: QC Bike Collective, 35 Elm Street, Manchester
Join us for a city ride. Manchester blends urban vibrancy with natural beauty. The city sits on the Merrimack River, and its historic Millyard offers a unique industrial landscape. The city’s scenic areas include parks like Livingston Park, Twin Bridges Park, and Stark Park, offering views of the river and surrounding greenery.
The Amoskeag Falls, on the Merrimack River, and the mills that developed around them have been instrumental in shaping Manchester. A canal and lock system built by Samuel Blodget around the falls in 1807 opened up the area to commerce. Originally called Derryfield, the city’s name was changed to Manchester in 1810 after Blodget’s expressed vision that the falls and the Merrimack River could be used for industry. Blodget hoped that this City could become “the Manchester of America,” in reference to Manchester, England.
Start the weekend with a fun ride around the paved trails and streets of Manchester. This ride is open to everyone and typically lasts around 10 miles. Please bring lights if you have them! Feel free to join us afterward at a local brewery for food and drinks.
Saturday, May 31, 2025 (10AM ride start)
Presented by the Monadnock Region Rail Trail Collaborative
Start Location: Intersection of Gilboa and Emerald Streets (behind Margaritas and Colonial Theater)
Please join us for a beautiful ride on the historic Cheshire Rail Trail. You’ll enjoy the fantastic scenery and learn about railroad history that now allows us to meander along these pleasant trails.
The route starts around the intersection of Gilboa and Emerald Streets behind Margaritas / Colonial Theater near the “Center at Keene,” where the Cheshire Railroad repair shop and roundhouse, built in 1866, were originally located. Allow some time to see the Railroad mural at 77-81 Main Street before or after the ride.
The Cheshire Rail Trail west has a very gentle climb to the midway point, Summit Winery. Spend a little time here to refill water, use the bathroom, and maybe even shop. Then, return to Keene with a nice, gentle downhill slope. The total round-trip is 15 miles.
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Tour de Francestown
Presented by Francestown Old Meeting House
This is NOT a Bike Walk Alliance of NH event. We are just helping to promote it. There is a separate registration form for them and an entry cost. If you have any questions, please direct them to them.
Our gravel ride has two distance options, 30 miles and 50 miles. The 50-mile course will likely include about 5000 feet of climbing and take riders through towns in the area.
Our road ride is 40 miles, mostly on paved roads, with a small section of hard-packed dirt.
All routes will be posted on BikeReg once they are set.
All rides include lunch and beverages (beer for those 21 and older) after the ride. Plus, we’ve added live music! All proceeds benefit the non-profit Old Meeting House.
Sunday, June 8, 2025 (10AM ride start)
Presented by Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail
Start Location: The starting point is the parking lot at the rail trail crossing on Pinkham B Road (off of Route 2) in Randolph, adjacent to the Town of Randolph maintenance garage and fire station facility.
The ride will explore the very scenic Presidential Rail Trail from Randolph to the viewing platform at the Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, a round trip of about 28 miles. We will travel through forests, open fields, and alongside rivers, beaver ponds, and waterfalls. There will be beautiful views of the Presidential Mountain Range (if the weather is clear!), lots of beaver activity in the ponds, and plenty of birds, too.
Pack a lunch to enjoy at the viewing platform. Bring snacks and plenty of water, too. A hybrid, gravel, or mountain bike is all good for this ride on the various surfaces that comprise the route. A skinny-tire road bike will not be fun! E-bikes are welcome.
The ride is not quite an out-and-back… we will travel west on the rail trail, but for part of the way back, we will take some quiet back roads (dirt and pavement) that are part of the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail route. These roads have panoramic mountain views. The lupines should start blooming in the fields alongside these roads.
When it’s done, there’s a ride celebration at Big Day Brewing Company in Gorham.
For anyone staying overnight, there are many options in Gorham and Jefferson. The route organizer suggests Hub North in Gorham for a glamping experience in a yurt, dome tent, or lodge. The Jefferson Inn B&B in Jefferson is another favorite of xNHAT travelers. More lodging options on the website: https://www.xnhat.org/where-to-stay.html.
GPS coordinates: 44.370825, -71.264165
If traveling northward on Route 16 over Pinkham Notch, take a left at the stop sign in Gorham. Follow Route 16/Route 2 through town. At the stoplight, take a left to go west on Route 2. Go about 4.6 miles. At the bottom of the big hill, take a left onto Pinkham B Road. Go about 0.5 mile (go past the first hiker parking lot) to the rail trail parking lot at the rail trail crossing, on the right.
If coming in from the west on Route 2 via Jefferson and Randolph: Before you go up steep Randolph Hill, take a right onto Pinkham B Road. Go about 0.5 mile (go past the first hiker parking lot) to the rail trail parking lot at the rail trail crossing, on the right.
There is a porta-potty near the town building.
We will start here and ride west to the Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge.
Downloadable map on RideWIthGPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50516942
