Trail Information
Click to link:
Click to link:
What is the Surface Like?
What Bicycle to Ride?
What About Food?
Where to Stay?
Is There a Bike Shop?
Parking and Shuttles
Trail Conditions Update
What Bicycle to Ride?
What About Food?
Where to Stay?
Is There a Bike Shop?
Parking and Shuttles
Trail Conditions Update
Brief Description of Trail Sections
Traveling West to East:
Woodsville to Lisbon 10.3 miles
This section is on the Ammonoosuc Rail Trail. Share the trail with ATVs, they support the upkeep for the trail through their permit fees. The surface is ballast, dirt and some occasional gravel. This is a scenic rail trail which travels alongside the Ammonoosuc River and through the woods. There are 3 bridges, 2 over the river, and one goes underneath the historic Bath Covered Bridge. Go up to the cove bridge and cross it to find food and beverage. Watch for potholes and washboard, particularly at road crossings and the gates..
Lisbon to River Road 3.7 miles
Paved quiet backroads. Easy riding, just watch out for some cracks and potholes! Yes, you could stay on the rail trail all the way to Littleton, but the route gets off the rail trail here to enjoy some quiet paved backroads, just for a change.
River Road to Littleton 6.3 miles
Mixed media combination of dirt road, dirt rail trail, quiet paved roads and a recreation pathway into the pleasant riverside park of the town of Littleton. The route parallels the Ammonoosuc River.
Littleton to Whitefield 10.9 miles
Ride cautiously on a paved primary road, Route 116, shared with cars and trucks. This section is the only section of the entire Cross NH route that is not a quiet backcountry road or trail. In addition to some traffic, this section has has some hill climbing. There is a moderate shoulder, please stay on the shoulder in single file, and use caution. You will notice, as you climb the hill in low gear, that there is an abandoned railroad bed below you, close to the road. At some point this rail bed will become a rail trail, included in the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail! As of July, 2019, five miles of abandoned rail bed will be converted to recreation trail this fall!
Whitefield to Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge 4.6 miles
Easy riding on paved roads. Great views of the Presidentials on a clear day!
Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge to Valley Road 6.6 miles
BEST SECTION FOR FAMILIES!!
SO scenic. A marvelous ride to the pond with Presidential Range, Pliny Range, Mt Martha and Cherry Mountain views. Look for birds, moose, bear and beaver in the pond and wetlands. Great views from the observation deck on the pond. The trail can be wet depending on the recent weather and the enthusiasm of the resident industrious beaver families. The paved road portion of this section (Route 115A and Israel River Road) is quiet, scenic biking, and the Israel River Campground is a good place to stop for a snack. It is also a good place to camp...enjoy their hot tub! Great out-and-back trip with a picnic.
Valley Road to the Presidential Rail Trail 3 miles
Views!!!
Valley Road is a wonderful dirt backroad with excellent views of the Presidential Range. It has fields of lupines in the month of June, a photographer's paradise. Conditions of the roadway vary from nice smooth packed dirt to loose dirt or washboard, depending on the timing of the most recent road grading. The short asphalt sections of Valley Road were repaved, smooth back velvet, in July of 2018.
Presidential Rail Trial to Gorham 11 miles
This section is a hard packed grassy rail trail though the woods, some singletrack, some excellent views, wetlands and brooks. Horses, walkers, bikers and hikers all enjoy this section. The Snyder Brook Bridge, a Pony Truss Bridge, is a recently rebuilt historic landmark. This section ends in Gorham at a large parking lot for trail users, ATV usage of the Presidential Rail Trail trail begins at this point, traveling eastward. If food or lodging is desired, off road access to the Town of Gorham is available across from the parking area on an off-road pathway. Access this pathway at the western end of the parking lot, carefully cross Route 2 and go around the orange/yellow gate marking the start of the route. Cross the bridge, travel downhill and eventually though a small neighborhood near the airport and arrive at Route 16. Take a right on Route 16 for many options for food and lodging.
Gorham to Hogan Road 1.3 miles
The rail trail in this area is shared with ATVs. The trail is ballast and dirt, some gravel and sand, too. A high bridge over the Androscoggin River and Route 16 provides great views. Share the lumps and bumps with the ATVS for a half mile, but after crossing the power canal, you exit the Presidential Rail Trail on the right to head up to Hogan Road. Watch for this right turn shortly after crossing the small power canal wooden decked bridge. Take a right onto a signed, blue blazed, short hiking path right after the canal bridge. Or you can ride just a it further and take a right into a construction parking area/clearing and walk up the short steep jeep road to join Hogan Road under the power lines. Then go right on Hogan Road to head towards Bethel.
Hogan Road to North Road 5.4 miles
Scenic and interesting, Hogan Road travels on the north side of the Androscoggin River. Dams and power stations are on the river. There may be a few cars, jeeps or ATVs on this dirt road, listen for them. Watch for potholes and loose rocks.
ROAD CONDITIONS NOTICE! Hogan Road was damaged by the Halloween Storm of 2017. Sections have been turned to rubble by the mighty Androscoggin River in raging floodwaters which even took out a bridge on Route 2, closing this major highway for many days while repairs were made! Unfortunately, no repairs have been done on Hogan Road (as of September 4, 2018). Hogan Road is passable, and adventure requiring walk-bike over rubble and river stones. A culvert and a small bridge were washed out but the culvert area has been repaired and one can push the bike around the missing bridge. Feet might get wet in the little brook after a big rainstorm, but it is typically easy to cross without getting wet.. It is remarkable to see what a raging river, overflowing its banks, can do to a road. The rubble section lasts for about 1 mile. It is ridable by many who have a mountain bike and/or good skills on the rocky rubble. It is a pleasant walk for the rest of us.
North Road to Bethel 18 miles
This quiet shady paved back road is considered a gem by the local cyclists. Excellent ride on rolling terrain. There are some short steeper climbs along the way. This road is an excellent out-and-back day ride even on the busiest summer trafficy day. All traffic stays on Route 2, while North Road remains quiet and shady.
The Bethel Pathway 1.1 mile
SHORT BUT EXCELLENT SECTION FOR FAMILIES WITH BEGINNER CYCLISTS!!!
The last 1.1 mile of the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail uses the local flat paved riverside recreation path in Bethel. There is a parking lot, porta potty, picnic tables, playground and skate park. Great food, coffee and ice cream are nearby. The Bethel Pathway
Woodsville to Lisbon 10.3 miles
This section is on the Ammonoosuc Rail Trail. Share the trail with ATVs, they support the upkeep for the trail through their permit fees. The surface is ballast, dirt and some occasional gravel. This is a scenic rail trail which travels alongside the Ammonoosuc River and through the woods. There are 3 bridges, 2 over the river, and one goes underneath the historic Bath Covered Bridge. Go up to the cove bridge and cross it to find food and beverage. Watch for potholes and washboard, particularly at road crossings and the gates..
Lisbon to River Road 3.7 miles
Paved quiet backroads. Easy riding, just watch out for some cracks and potholes! Yes, you could stay on the rail trail all the way to Littleton, but the route gets off the rail trail here to enjoy some quiet paved backroads, just for a change.
River Road to Littleton 6.3 miles
Mixed media combination of dirt road, dirt rail trail, quiet paved roads and a recreation pathway into the pleasant riverside park of the town of Littleton. The route parallels the Ammonoosuc River.
Littleton to Whitefield 10.9 miles
Ride cautiously on a paved primary road, Route 116, shared with cars and trucks. This section is the only section of the entire Cross NH route that is not a quiet backcountry road or trail. In addition to some traffic, this section has has some hill climbing. There is a moderate shoulder, please stay on the shoulder in single file, and use caution. You will notice, as you climb the hill in low gear, that there is an abandoned railroad bed below you, close to the road. At some point this rail bed will become a rail trail, included in the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail! As of July, 2019, five miles of abandoned rail bed will be converted to recreation trail this fall!
Whitefield to Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge 4.6 miles
Easy riding on paved roads. Great views of the Presidentials on a clear day!
Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge to Valley Road 6.6 miles
BEST SECTION FOR FAMILIES!!
SO scenic. A marvelous ride to the pond with Presidential Range, Pliny Range, Mt Martha and Cherry Mountain views. Look for birds, moose, bear and beaver in the pond and wetlands. Great views from the observation deck on the pond. The trail can be wet depending on the recent weather and the enthusiasm of the resident industrious beaver families. The paved road portion of this section (Route 115A and Israel River Road) is quiet, scenic biking, and the Israel River Campground is a good place to stop for a snack. It is also a good place to camp...enjoy their hot tub! Great out-and-back trip with a picnic.
Valley Road to the Presidential Rail Trail 3 miles
Views!!!
Valley Road is a wonderful dirt backroad with excellent views of the Presidential Range. It has fields of lupines in the month of June, a photographer's paradise. Conditions of the roadway vary from nice smooth packed dirt to loose dirt or washboard, depending on the timing of the most recent road grading. The short asphalt sections of Valley Road were repaved, smooth back velvet, in July of 2018.
Presidential Rail Trial to Gorham 11 miles
This section is a hard packed grassy rail trail though the woods, some singletrack, some excellent views, wetlands and brooks. Horses, walkers, bikers and hikers all enjoy this section. The Snyder Brook Bridge, a Pony Truss Bridge, is a recently rebuilt historic landmark. This section ends in Gorham at a large parking lot for trail users, ATV usage of the Presidential Rail Trail trail begins at this point, traveling eastward. If food or lodging is desired, off road access to the Town of Gorham is available across from the parking area on an off-road pathway. Access this pathway at the western end of the parking lot, carefully cross Route 2 and go around the orange/yellow gate marking the start of the route. Cross the bridge, travel downhill and eventually though a small neighborhood near the airport and arrive at Route 16. Take a right on Route 16 for many options for food and lodging.
Gorham to Hogan Road 1.3 miles
The rail trail in this area is shared with ATVs. The trail is ballast and dirt, some gravel and sand, too. A high bridge over the Androscoggin River and Route 16 provides great views. Share the lumps and bumps with the ATVS for a half mile, but after crossing the power canal, you exit the Presidential Rail Trail on the right to head up to Hogan Road. Watch for this right turn shortly after crossing the small power canal wooden decked bridge. Take a right onto a signed, blue blazed, short hiking path right after the canal bridge. Or you can ride just a it further and take a right into a construction parking area/clearing and walk up the short steep jeep road to join Hogan Road under the power lines. Then go right on Hogan Road to head towards Bethel.
Hogan Road to North Road 5.4 miles
Scenic and interesting, Hogan Road travels on the north side of the Androscoggin River. Dams and power stations are on the river. There may be a few cars, jeeps or ATVs on this dirt road, listen for them. Watch for potholes and loose rocks.
ROAD CONDITIONS NOTICE! Hogan Road was damaged by the Halloween Storm of 2017. Sections have been turned to rubble by the mighty Androscoggin River in raging floodwaters which even took out a bridge on Route 2, closing this major highway for many days while repairs were made! Unfortunately, no repairs have been done on Hogan Road (as of September 4, 2018). Hogan Road is passable, and adventure requiring walk-bike over rubble and river stones. A culvert and a small bridge were washed out but the culvert area has been repaired and one can push the bike around the missing bridge. Feet might get wet in the little brook after a big rainstorm, but it is typically easy to cross without getting wet.. It is remarkable to see what a raging river, overflowing its banks, can do to a road. The rubble section lasts for about 1 mile. It is ridable by many who have a mountain bike and/or good skills on the rocky rubble. It is a pleasant walk for the rest of us.
North Road to Bethel 18 miles
This quiet shady paved back road is considered a gem by the local cyclists. Excellent ride on rolling terrain. There are some short steeper climbs along the way. This road is an excellent out-and-back day ride even on the busiest summer trafficy day. All traffic stays on Route 2, while North Road remains quiet and shady.
The Bethel Pathway 1.1 mile
SHORT BUT EXCELLENT SECTION FOR FAMILIES WITH BEGINNER CYCLISTS!!!
The last 1.1 mile of the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail uses the local flat paved riverside recreation path in Bethel. There is a parking lot, porta potty, picnic tables, playground and skate park. Great food, coffee and ice cream are nearby. The Bethel Pathway
Contact Us:
Disclaimer: The Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail and the authors of the website, social media and maps strive to prepare accurate information about the route and the conditions. However, they make no warranty, representation, or guaranty as to the accuracy of any information presented. Conditions on the route can change without warning due to weather, flooding, wear and tear, construction, tree falls, vehicles on the route, etc. You should verify the accuracy of all information obtained from this web site, wear a helmet and abide by safe bicycling standards. By using or relying on any material contained on this site, the user knowingly waives any and all claims for damages against any and all of the entities comprising the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail that may arise from the contained information.