At Norm’s Ski & Bike Shop, we get a lot of questions about where to ride around here. So we put together this guide to the state’s best bike trails, organized by type: rail, mountain, and scenic road.
You just have to pick the section that matches your ride.
How to Match Your Ride to the Right Trail
Here’s a quick way to match your riding style to the right trail:
| Riding Style | Best Bike Type | Where to Ride |
|---|---|---|
| Flat, social, easy pace | Hybrid or e-bike | Rail trails |
| Rugged, technical, off-road | Mountain bike | Singletrack and state park trails |
| Long-distance, paved or packed gravel | Road or gravel bike | Scenic routes and backroads |
If you’re not sure which category applies, the trails below are grouped so you can scan for the one that best fits your riding style.
Rail Trails and Family-Friendly Rides
Rail trails are the easiest entry point into NH cycling. They’re built on old railroad beds, so grades stay flat and gentle even over long distances, and you won’t have to share the path with cars.
Ashuelot Rail Trail (Keene)
Heading north from Keene, the trail passes Stonewall Farm on its way toward Winchester. Riders cover 6 to 13 miles round-trip, depending on where they turn around. The surface is smooth enough for hybrids and comfort bikes, with a few rustic bridge crossings along the way.
Northern Rail Trail (Boscawen to Lebanon)
At nearly 60 miles, this is New Hampshire’s longest rail trail. The hard-packed surface runs through farmland and river valleys in the Mascoma Valley. Most riders cover it in sections instead of end-to-end. It’s a great match for e-bikes, since the flat terrain lets you cover long distances with minimal effort.
Rockingham Recreational Trail (Manchester area)
This 28-mile unpaved route follows the old Boston and Maine rail corridor along Massabesic Lake. It’s flat, so it’s good for riders who want mileage without hills. The surface can get soft after rain, so wider tires help.
Who these are for: families, e-bike riders, casual weekend cyclists, and anyone who wants a workout without technical demands.
Mountain Biking Trails for Every Skill Level
For riders who want elevation, roots, and rock, New Hampshire delivers real terrain. These trails are organized by difficulty, so you’re not guessing.
Beginner: Pisgah State Park (Chesterfield / Winchester)
Minutes from Norm’s Chesterfield location, Pisgah offers wide, forgiving trails through 13,000 acres of forest. Wider double-track sections make it approachable for newer riders, with enough elevation change to feel like real mountain biking without punishing you.
Intermediate: Bear Brook State Park (Allenstown)
Bear Brook State Park is New Hampshire’s largest developed state park, with over 40 miles of trail across roughly 10,000 acres. Terrain ranges from smooth singletrack to rockier technical sections, so riders can build up difficulty as they go.
Advanced: Franconia Area Trails (White Mountains)
Franconia’s trail network offers nearly 40 miles of singletrack with technical features, rolling flow sections, and serious climbs against a backdrop of the White Mountains. It’s best suited for experienced riders looking for a real challenge.
Trail difficulty at a glance:
| Trail | Difficulty | Mileage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pisgah State Park | Beginner | Extensive network | New riders, wide double-track |
| Bear Brook State Park | Intermediate | 40+ miles | Progressive skill building |
| Franconia Area Trails | Advanced | ~40 miles | Technical, experienced riders |
Scenic Road and Gravel Rides
New Hampshire’s back roads and paved paths offer some of the most photographed cycling routes in New England, without the need for dirt trails.
Franconia Notch Recreation Path
The Franconia Notch Recreation Path is a paved, 9-mile route through Franconia Notch with views of Profile Lake and Cannon Mountain. It’s gentle enough for road bikes and hybrids alike, with mountain scenery that most rail trails can’t match.
Monadnock Region Backroads (Dublin, Peterborough, Marlborough)
Rolling, lightly trafficked roads connect these towns, right in our service area. Expect farmland views, covered bridges, and enough elevation change to make a gravel or road bike the right call over a hybrid.
East Coast Greenway (NH Coastal Section)
New Hampshire’s stretch of the East Coast Greenway runs along the coast from Portsmouth toward the Massachusetts line, with several miles open and more underway. It’s flat, with ocean views and no climbing.
Who these are for: road cyclists, gravel riders, and anyone chasing a view more than a workout.
Best Trails Near Keene and the Monadnock Region
If you’re riding out of our shop, here’s the local shortlist that doesn’t require a long drive first:
- Ashuelot Rail Trail: Access points right in downtown Keene, flat and beginner-friendly.
- Pisgah State Park: Trailheads in Chesterfield and Winchester, a short drive from our Keene shop.
- Monadnock Region backroads: Loop rides connecting Dublin, Peterborough, and Marlborough, all towns we serve directly.
- Goose Pond (Keene): A quieter, low-traffic option for an easy spin close to town.
This corner of southern New Hampshire packs in rail trail, mountain trail, and scenic road riding within a short drive of each other, which is part of why it’s such a good home base for cyclists.
Heading out to any of these this weekend? Stop by our Keene shop before you go. A quick look at your bike now can save you a long walk back.
Gear Up Before You Ride: A Quick Checklist
Different trails put different stress on your bike. Run through this checklist before you head out:
Rail Trail Rides
- Check tire pressure, since underinflated tires slow you down over long flat miles.
- Bring more water than you think you need; there’s often no shade for stretches.
- Confirm your e-bike battery is charged if you’re covering a serious distance.
Mountain Trail Rides
- Check suspension sag and rebound before technical descents.
- Confirm your helmet fits snugly and doesn’t shift when you move your head.
- Pack a basic repair kit, remote singletrack isn’t the place to discover a flat.
Road and Gravel Rides
- Have your drivetrain checked for wear before long-distance rides.
- Check brake pads, especially before routes with real elevation change.
- Carry a spare tube and pump; rural roads mean long waits for help.
Ready for trail season? Come in for a rail trail cruiser, a mountain bike built for Pisgah’s climbs, or a gravel bike for Monadnock backroads. Our team will match you with the right ride and gear for the trails you actually plan to ride. Explore all bikes available at Norm’s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the longest bike trail in New Hampshire?
The Northern Rail Trail, running nearly 60 miles from Boscawen to Lebanon, is the longest rail trail in the state. Most riders tackle it in sections rather than in one trip.
Are New Hampshire’s rail trails paved?
Most rail trails in New Hampshire have a hard-packed, unpaved surface, though a few sections, like the Franconia Notch Recreation Path, are fully paved. Check the trail notes above if surface type matters for your bike.
What’s the best beginner mountain bike trail near Keene?
Pisgah State Park is the top pick for newer mountain bikers near Keene, with wide, forgiving double-track trails through 13,000 acres of forest.
Can I ride e-bikes on NH rail trails?
Yes. Rail trails have gentle grades and hard-packed surfaces, which make them a great match for e-bikes, especially on longer routes like the Northern Rail Trail.
When is the best season for mountain biking in New Hampshire?
Late spring through fall is generally the best window for mountain biking in New Hampshire, once trails have dried out from snowmelt and before winter weather sets back in. Stop by our shop for current trail conditions before you head out.