Trail Conditions
What to expect, and current updates
What is the Surface Like?
In general, the rule on surface conditions is:
It Will Change.
If it is bad, it will change,
If it is good, it will change.
Paved roads can be way worse than dirt roads,
Washboard happens. It will change.
Freshly graded roads are worse than the washboard.
Frost Heave Season happens, it will change into Mud Season.
A pothole filled with water is deeper than you think.
Riding a smooth dirt road in the woods is buttercream. Enjoy it while you have it,
It will change.
New asphalt pavement is sweet black velvet. Enjoy it while you have it, It will change.
Scroll down for the recent trail conditions report
The most challenging sections on the western part of the trail:
Some areas of the Ammonoosuc Rail Trail between Lisbon and Woodsville can be tedious, other sections are smooth and excellent! We have been working on improving the worst sections of the trail, mile by mile, by applying a smooth and solid ledgepack ADA compliant surface. This project is in collaboration with the Ammonoosuc Valley ATV Club. More surfacing will happen in 2026.
Generally, if you have AT LEAST 32 mm tires, you will do OK in the gnarlier spots. The less experience you have in biking, the wider the tire you will enjoy.
If you are tired of the conditions on the rail trail or just want a change as you travel from Woodsville to Lisbon, use the alternate, road routes located on the west side of the river between Woodsville and Lisbon. They require climbing some hills with the reward of great downhills and pleasant views. Start off in Woodsville on on the alternate dirt and paved road route, it is hilly but rewarding. Or ride the rail trail to Bath, exit at the covered bridge and travel pleasant paved (hilly) backroads (West Bath Road to Pettyboro and Dodge Roads) on the eastern side of the river. Follow the map and cue sheets available on Ride With GPS, see the Maps section of this website.
As for the most challenging section on the Eastern portion of the trail:
1. In Gorham, the approximately 1.2 mile section after the Route 2 parking lot until you reach the entrance to Hogan Road allows ATV's. Just this section!
2. In the Halloween Storm of October 31, 2017, a one mile section of Hogan Road (Gorham to Shelburne) was overrun by the river. There are a few short sections that might need to be walked (by some of us!) because small river stones were exposed when the river washed out the roadway. The road washouts are occasionally repaired, but expect some adventure and walk-bike in a few places. Keep up with the Facebook posts and this section of the website for updates as they become available. It is a beautiful ride in the woods, worth some walk-bike. Don't do Route 2! No shoulder and fast moving traffic, BIG trucks and...a bad shoulder!
Current Conditions
Trail Conditions Report: Friday May 22, 2026
It’s spring! Hooray and let’s get out there on the trails!
You will enjoy the Presidential and Ammonoosuc Rail Trails, both are fine now to ride! A section of the Ammo between Bath and Lisbon has potholes and rough spots, but you will get through it, a sense of humor helps. This section will be surfaced with ledgepack this summer!
BE CAUTIONS at the gates, they can have accumulated gravel, so be ready to dab a foot down or hop off the bike to be sure of successful passage. In a section between Lisbon and Littleton, there are many gates being replaced, you may meet the work crew out there! Thank Them! The issues of adventure at each gate is going away.
Sections had new smooth ledgepack applied in 2025…enjoy! We accomplished 4.7 miles of ledgepack last fall in Littleton-Bethlehem, plus 2.7 miles in Bath! The ATV Club has been obtaining grant funding for the surfacing projects over the past 3.5 years in Lisbon and Bath, the xNHAT (including your donations) has been assisting with match funding. The new surface is fantastic, even with ATVs, dirt bikes, horses, and bikes… it remains solid and smooth, no grading has been needed!
I have not experienced Hogan Road yet, but it’s always an adventure, so be ready to walk your bike through some rough spots. Those with mountain biking skills will not have any problems!
You can always email the xNHAT team to get an up-to-date report on the trail conditions: info@xnhat.org
Remember...Skinny tire road bikes are not going to be fun at all on this route!
Ammonoosuc Rail Trail: A surfacing project in Littleton and Bethlehem (4.7 miles from just west of Industrial Park Road to Oxbow Drive) was completed the end of October! HOORAY!
Wow, we are so happy this project is accomplished! This section of rail trail is smooth and solid, great for residents, visitors and thru-cyclists and walkers on the xNHAT. Don't worry, there are still plenty of "Adventures" on the Cross New Hampshire "Adventure" Trail!
The xNHAT trails are in good shape ash getting better as we speak ….but remember this is an adventure, so expect some challenges or it would not be fun. Hogan Road is good for Hogan Road.. (some may question this....).
There are sections of the Ammonoosuc Rail Trail between Woodsville and Industrial Park Road in Littleton that have sections of rough riding with cinder, ballast and gravel. You will notice them more than before, because we have covered a lot of that with many miles of solid smooth ledgepack. The difference is very noticeable! Just travel with care through the rougher spots and know that there will be some smooth surface ahead. Enjoy what we have accomplished so far! We collaborate with the Ammonoosuc Valley ATV Club on the surfacing projects. They get the grants, we help with match funding.
Be careful at the GATES, WALK or scooch your bike through the gravel piles.
Some new gates are being installed! No more chunky gravel with the new gates! BUT.. not all are replaces, so BE CAUTIOUS at each gate! Don’t fall over!
We share the trail really well with the ATVs. You and the ATVs will slow down and move over to the right side of the trail. Smile, wave and all will enjoy the trail! The ATV Club obtained the grants for the smooth surface. They love this rail trail too! The xNHAT helped with the match funding for their grants.
Hogan Road is always an adventure, just enjoy the views and the quiet, and keep a sense of humor when traveling it! Just walk your bike through any gnarly spots. It is OK to walk, no points or honor lost! Just enjoy the beautiful backwoods trail/road. Some say Hogan Road is their favorite part of the entire route, others, well, not their favorite at all. We strive to make everyone happy the majority of the time on the xNHAT! A bit of adventure for everyone!