GOFFSTOWN RAIL TRAIL:
GOFFSTOWN, NEW HAMPSHIRE
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: November 21, 2019
Length: Goffstown Rail Trail; 5.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Flat, hard packed dirt, crushed gravel and stone-dust rail trail.
Directions:
From the intersection of I-293/Route 101 & the Everett Turnpike take Route 101 to Route 114. Follow Route 114 to Mast Rd.
To start from the Mast Road (Route 114) parking lot; Head left along Mast Rd for 2.3 miles. The parking lot is on your right.
To start from the Moose Club Park Road parking lot; Head right along Mast Rd to your second left (Moose Club Park Rd) just before the Shaws Supermarket plaza. Travel 0.4 miles to a parking area on your right.
To start from the Sarette Recreational Complex [0 mile marker]; Head right along Mast Rd for 1.7 miles. Turn left on Roosevelt St, then first left on Laurier St. The entrance will be on your right. To access the trail; From the parking lot travel along the dirt road between the fields, then left along the end of the fields. The road then heads down hill. Pass between the transmission lines and through the fence to the trail. The 0 mile marker is just to your right at the town line.
The Goffstown Rail Trail travels along the railroad bed of the old Goffstown & Manchester Railroad, also known as the NH Central RR and later the North Ware Branch of the Concord RR. It connects to the Piscataquog Trail in Manchester. For more information visit; GOFFSTOWN RAIL TRAIL .
Starting from the 0 Mile Marker/Manchester Town Line; The 0 mile marker is painted on a short white post next to the trail. Mile markers are located every 0.5 miles along the trail. This is the Goffstown/Manchester town line.
Note; Heading East the Piscataquog Trail starts out hard packed dirt before quickly becoming paved. It crosses over the Piscataquog River Reservoir and continues into Manchester. See; Manchester Trails .
Heading West the wide, crushed gravel Goffstown Rail Trail travels along a high berm with the Piscataquog River Reservoir below. You'll quickly pass by a fence on your left with a gap that takes you up to the Sarette Recreational Complex. Continuing along the shaded ridge-line the trail then travels along a short berm before passing by the Moose Club Park Road parking lot at 0.6 miles. A map board is located here. This next section is partially developed with a hard packed dirt surface. The trail continues along the ridge-line before passing by an old cement RR Whistle marker on your right and crossing Lynchville Park Rd at 1.3 miles. The stone-dust trail passes through a rock cut heading inland where you'll cross Morgan Circle followed by Danis Park Rd at 1.7 miles. This next section consists of hard packed dirt with some sandy sections. Pass by an old cemetery on your right followed by a map board before coming alongside the NH Prison for Women. Trail improves to crushed gravel before a cross-light takes you over Henry Bridge Rd at 2.4 miles. Continue straight out to Mast Rd at 2.7 miles where an automated cross-light takes you across this busy road. As you travel west nice stone pavers serve as the trail until you pass in front of Pro Landscape. The stone-dust trail then runs behind Magoo's Drive-In. It parallels Mast Rd. Come to the Shell Gas Station at 3.5 miles where you'll travel around to Tatro Drive. This next section has a wide, hard packed gravel base that takes you through the woods and out to Mast Rd. Another automated cross-light gets you over the road to a crushed gravel trail that passes by the Mast Road parking lot at 4 miles. Kiosk and map here. Pass by Glen Lake along your right before crossing a small bridge where the trail has a gravel base. Pass by the Goffstown Parks & Rec. parking lot next to Mast Rd at 4.5 miles. Map board located here. Cross Shirley Park Rd where the trail consists of crushed gravel to E Union St. Pass by another old cement RR Whistle marker on your right before crossing Shirley Park Rd again where your afforded views of Glen Lake. Come to East Union St at 5 miles. Here you'll turn right on-road (low traffic) and follow the road to a sharp left at 5.3 miles where you pick up the rail trail on your right. Follow across Factory St to the end of an old RR bridge abutment overlooking the Piscataquog River at 5.5 miles. Rotary Park is located across the river and the Route 114 bridge is on your left. A dam is on your right.
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CLICK HERE FOR MANCHESTER-GOFFSTOWN MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT
