Description
The Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail:
- Travels through Coos and Grafton Counties, two of the northernmost counties of New Hampshire, and Oxford County of Maine.
- Weaves through seven New Hampshire towns and two towns in western Maine. Heading east from the village of Woodsville on the Connecticut River, the route follows the Ammonoosuc River through Bath, Lisbon, and Littleton, and then skirts the northern flanks of the Presidential Mountain Range through Whitefield, Jefferson, and Randolph. It follows the Androscoggin River through the towns of Gorham and Shelburne, crossing the state line into Gilead and ending in Bethel, Maine.
- Strings together rail trails and roads, linking the Ammonoosuc Rail Trail, the Presidential Rail Trail, and recreation pathways (Littleton Riverwalk, Bethel Pathway) via scenic dirt and paved roads. A multi-media experience.
- Consists of 31.6 off-road miles, 11 miles of dirt roads, 30.4 miles of quiet paved back roads and a 10-mile section of paved state secondary road.
Please check the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail website or Facebook page for possible temporary trail reroutes before heading out on your adventure!
There are two alternate routes shown on the map:
- Bath to Lisbon: Due to the seasonally rough surface on the Ammonoosuc Rail Trail in this area, an alternate, on-road route is shown here. This route is scenic and has one long climb. It is a good diversion from the rail trail. Access the route in Bath at the Bath Covered Bridge. The route travels on the western side of the river, rejoining the main route in the town of Lisbon at the bridge over the river, onto River Road.
- Gorham to Shelburne: Sections of Hogan Road were washed out in the flooding of Oct 31, 2017. Until repairs are performed during 2019, this alternate route is provided as an option. You can choose the washouts and some walk-bike through the rubble, or ride on a section of busy road with minimal shoulder in some parts.
Other Information
This route can be used for multi-day cross-state adventures or for shorter, local day trips. The Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail website includes descriptions of different day rides (short and long) and information about on-trail or close-by lodging, food, and bike shops.
A road bike is not appropriate for this 83-mile cross state adventure due to rougher surfaces on the rail trails. Road biking is excellent on North Road, the eastern 19 miles of the route from Gorham to Bethel, Maine.
A mountain bike would be tedious on the paved road sections of the route. A mountain bike would be enjoyable on the Presidential Rail Trail including the Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge and the Ammonoosuc Rail Trail and Littleton Riverwalk.
The best bike for this route would be a hybrid, randonneur or touring bike with wider tires that can tolerate the sections of gravel, grass, and occasional mud. It is an Adventure!!!
Trail Manager
Please visit the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail online or email for more information:
Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail
Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail
crossnewhampshire@gmail.com
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