WOW TRAIL:
LACONIA,
NEW HAMPSHIRE
LAKE WINNISQUAM SCENIC TRAIL:
BELMONT,
NEW HAMPSHIRE
-BIKE
IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: January 06, 2025
Length:
WOW Trail; 2.5 miles
Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail (Winni); 1.8 miles
Difficulty:
WOW Trail; Easy. Flat paved rail trail.
Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail (Winni); Moderate. Hilly paved trail.
Directions:
From I-93 take exit 20 to Route 3 north.
To
start from Osborne’s Agway parking lot
in Belmont
for the Winni Trail
[Southern End];
After 5.3 miles you’ll come to
Osborne’s Agway on your left. A small parking lot is located next to the trail
head.
To start from Elm Street in Laconia
for the WOW
Trail [Northern End]; After 6.5
miles you’ll come to the junction of Routes 3 & Bus 3.Continue straight
along Bus Route 3 for 2.8
miles to Elm St and turn left. Trail begins on your left. Just
down Elm St turn right on Railroad Ave. Parking located next to the old Lakeport
Freight Depot (1889).
The WOW Trail runs adjacent to the railroad tracks currently used by the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad and within sight of Lake Opechee. Originally, this line was the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad (later absorbed by the Boston & Maine Railroad. The trail travels South, from Lakeport in Laconia, to the Belmont town line, where it connects to the Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail. This trail utilizes part of the old rail bed, as well as, conservation land along Lake Winnisquam, as it continues South. Further South, in Tilton, you can check out the Winnipesaukee River Trail . For more information visit; WOW TRAIL and WINNI & WOW TRAILS .
Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail:
Starting from Osborne’s Agway parking lot in Belmont for the Winni Trail [Southern End];
The paved Lake Winnisquam Scenic Trail travels past Agway down alongside the RR tracks heading North. Across the RR tracks is Lake Winnisquam. The trail is hilly. Pass by a picnic pavilion at 0.7 miles as the trail heads into the woods. Come to Leslie Roberts Drive, head right to a cross-walk where the trail continues alongside BUS Route 3 at 1.6 miles.
Note; Leslie Roberts Beach is located 0.2 miles left, down Leslie Roberts Drive.
Nice open views of the lake. Cross into Laconia at 1.8 miles, where the trail continues North, as the WOW Trail.
WOW Trail:
Come back alongside the RR tracks before you cross over them, followed by a bridge over Durkee Creek. Pass by Bartlett Beach (parking/restrooms/playground) at 2.2 miles. Travel alongside the RR tracks through an industrial corridor. Cross Bay St followed by Fair St (Use Caution cross-walk only). You then head left across Jewett Brook, then right back along the tracks. Cross Water St, where you'll pass by an old gray RR Caboose before the trail travels alongside New Salem St. Cross Pleasant St (Use Caution cross-walk only) and follow a brick lined trail past the Laconia B&M RR Station at 2.9 miles in downtown Laconia. Parking. Cross Main St (to your right is Veterans Square) (Use Caution cross-walk only) where the paved trail follows a residential corridor. Cross Messer St, where you'll leave the tracks as you follow alongside the road. Cross over Jewett Brook again before another cross-walk (Use Caution) takes you to the other side of Messer St. The trail then turns left rejoining the RR tracks. To your left is Lake Opechee, however, few open views of the Lake. Come to Elm St and the current end of the trail after 4.3 miles. Small Pocket Park here.
Note; If you head left to Railroad Ave and follow it North, you'll come to the old 1889 Lakeport B&M Freight Depot.
Note; Future plans will construct the Opechee Loop Trail, that will circumnavigates Lake Opechee.
HH
CLICK HERE FOR WOW & WINNI TRAILS MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT