NORTHERN RECREATIONAL RAIL TRAIL
NOTICE: The preparation phase of resurfacing the trail under the Rt. 4 overpass near Tewksbury Pond is complete and the detour has been temporarily removed. Please use caution while using this section until final resurfacing completes next week. The equipment has been moved to the Potato Rd. project and a 2-mile detour between Potato Rd. and Canaan Depot St. is in place. Do not cross barriers into construction area.
Activities and Amenities
This trail is the longest rail trail under our management; its ultimate length will be 59 miles. It begins at the River Road trail access down the hill from the Hannah Duston Park & Ride in Boscawen and ends at Spencer St. in Lebanon, where it connects to the Mascoma River Greenway Trail. The trail spans two counties and has been worked on heavily the past five years to make it a destination four season trail. The surface on most of the trail is exceptional for walking and biking as well as all other permitted uses. The scenery is fabulous as it meanders through farm lands, lakes and quaint towns. Mascoma Lake, the restored Enfield Depot, Potter Place Depot, Highland Lake and the covered bridge at Bridge Road are must see parts of the trail.
Permitted Uses
Hike, Bike, Horse, Snowshoe, Nordic, Snowmobile, and Mushing
Parking Areas
Lebanon: Spencer Street. Next to rec center and ballfields. The trailhead has a kiosk and picnic table. On Google maps it says “Northern Rail Trail, Trail Head” (43.644533, -72.249542).
Andover: Potter place Railroad station depot on 105 Depot St off Rt. 4 (43.436378, -71.855499). You can park directly next to the depot or use the Google name “Potter Place parking lot for Northern Rail Trail” paved lot which is about ¼ mile from the actual depot to access the trail. The trail goes next to the paved extra lot. There is a picnic area next to depot and a porta potty behind a local business.
East Andover: Highland Lake Inn at 32 Maple St, Andover. Parking available on side of barn for about 10-15 cars. Highland Lake Inn is a “welcome center” for NRT users. It says on Google Maps “Northern Rail Trail Welcome Center at Highland Lake Inn”. Inn is about ¼ mile from trail behind the fire station (do not park at fire station). There is a small covered platform for NRT with picnic tables behind fire station.
Boscawen: Gerrish Depot at 379 DW Highway/Rt 3. Just past the prison before state forestry nursery. Google Maps has “Gerrish Depot” on map. (43.365484, -71.650516).
Organizations that work with the Bureau of Trails to help maintain this trail are:
Friends of the Northern Rail Trail - Both the Grafton County and Merrimack County friends groups are now functioning as one.
Email: info@FNRT.org.
Mailing address: PO Box 2064, New London, NH 03257
Andover Snowmobile Club
Bike The Northern Rail Trail Brochure
