NASHUA HERITAGE RAIL TRAIL:
MINE FALLS PARK TRAILS:
NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: March 27, 2024
Length: Nashua Heritage Rail Trail; 1.3 miles
Mine Falls Park Trails: Eastern & Western Green Loop Trail (hard packed dirt); 2.1 miles
Northern & Southern Blue Loop Trail (hard packed dirt); 2.2 miles
Yellow Trail (paved); 0.9 miles
Northern Red Trail (paved); 0.4 miles
Mine Falls Park Loop Trail; 6.8 mile Loop (add 2.8 miles for Nashua Heritage Rail Trail up & back)
Difficulty: Nashua Heritage Rail Trail; Easy. Flat paved rail trail.
Mine Falls Park Loop Trail; Easy. Flat paved & hard packed dirt trails.
Directions:
To Start from Mine Falls Park Gatehouse Entrance or Millhouse Pond & Gatehouse parking lots for the Mine Falls Park Loop Trail [Western End]; From Route 3 (Everett Turnpike) in Nashua take exit 5W to Route 111 (W Hollis St) west for 0.3 miles. Turn right on Riverside Dr, then left on Stadium Rd. When you come to the stadium turn right and either park in the small parking lot or continue straight another 0.2 miles to the Millhouse Pond & Gatehouse parking lot.
To start from Main Street & City Hall for the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail [Eastern End]; From Route 3 (Everett Turnpike) in Nashua take exit 5E to Route 111 (W Hollis St) east to Main St. City Hall and the start of the trail is on your left. There is a metered parking lot behind City Hall off East St or utilize on-street parking.
The Nashua Heritage Rail Trail in Nashua is built along former Hollis Branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad. It started life out in 1848 as the Worcester & Nashua Railroad running between the two cities. In 1874, an extension was opened up to Portland, Maine. In 1982, the last freight train ran the rails and today the only section still operating is between Worcester and Ayer. Another section of this rail trail runs from NH South to Ayer, MA. To access this trail on-road See; Nashua River Rail Trail . You can also connect to the Mine Falls Park Loop Trail via a short on-road connection. Mine Falls Park; In the early 1800s the potential of the Nashua River to drive the wheels of industry was recognized. Workers used shovels and mules to dig the three-mile long Nashua Power Canal, which provides a vertical drop of 36 feet at the mills. The Gatehouse near the falls was built in 1886—with the first gates being built in 1826—and it still brings the river to the Mill Pond. The Mine Falls Park Loop Trail consists of several Loops utilizing the Green, Blue, Yellow & Red Trails. This includes a short on-road section. You can also access the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail and include it as part of this overall Loop. For more information visit; MINE FALLS PARK & NASHUA HERITAGE RAIL TRAIL .
Mine Falls Park Loop Trail:
Starting from the Millhouse Pond & Gatehouse parking lot [Western End]; A Map Board and picnic tables are located here. Travel past the red-white & green gate onto the Green Trail.
Note; Colored squares attached to trees and poles designate the trail your following and contain a numbered sequence that corresponds to the Map so you can always locate your position.
You quickly come to an intersection and Marker G48.
Note; Left, North, is the Western Green Loop Trail.
Continue straight, East, along the wide, hard packed dirt Eastern Green Loop Trail, through the woods and along the Nashua Power Canal Mill Pond. You'll cross over a couple of sluiceway's (water overflows) and along a berm as the trail turns North. The Nashua Power Canal narrows. After 0.7 miles you come to intersection G80.
Note; Right, East, a bridge over the Nashua Power Canal leads to the Red Trail and Nashua High School.
Continue straight, North, along the Eastern Green Loop Trail and come to an intersection and Marker G95 and G1 at 1.2 miles.
Note; Left, South, the Western Green Loop Trail Loops back to the Millhouse Pond & Gatehouse parking lot.
Continue straight, East, underneath Route 3 along the hard packed dirt Blue Trail. Bear right at the sharp curve.
Note; Left, North, is the Upper Blue Trail which is more of a hiking trail that Loops around the Soifert Playing Fields.
Come to the American Flag Pole at 1.3 miles. This is where the Northern Blue Loop Trail & Southern Blue Loop Trail split.
Note; Left, North, leads to the Soifert Playing Fields and right, South, leads over the Nashua Power Canal to the Yellow Trail and the Whipple Street Entrance & parking area.
Bear left, Southeast, along the Northern Blue Loop Trail. Soon you'll come alongside the Nashua River on your left and then travel past Oxbow Lake Cove on your right. This brings you past a Map Board and gate Marker B5 at 2.2 miles and up an old paved road to the Millyard, which got its power from the Canal. Turn right, South, at the top of the small hill and follow the road past the buildings. Head past another gate at 2.5 miles, along the hard packed Southern Blue Loop Trail, back alongside the Nashua Power Canal. Come to a pedestrian bridge over the Canal at 2.5 miles.
Note; Left, East, over the Canal leads to Ledge St. A cross-walk takes you over to a "green" 2 WAY BIKE LANE that travels South along Everett Street where it connects to the Northern Section of the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail after only 0.1 miles. [We rode this trail up & back which added another 2.8 miles to the Total Loop] See; Nashua Heritage Rail Trail Below.
Continuing Northwest, along the Southern Blue Loop Trail, alongside the Nashua Power Canal. You'll pass by two overlooks, of the Oxbow Lake Cove, before coming to another intersection and Marker B67 at 2.9 miles.
Note; Left, South, another pedestrian bridge over the Canal leads to the paved Yellow Trail & the 7th Ave Entrance.
Continuing along the Southern Blue Loop Trail, you'll return to the American Flag Pole at 3.5 miles. [From here you can complete your Loop back to the Millhouse Pond & Gatehouse parking lot] or
Turn left, South and cross the bridge over the Nashua Power Canal to the Yellow Trail and Marker 5. Turn left, Southeast and follow the paved Yellow Trail along the Southern Side of the Canal. This trail is narrow and has some root issues. Pass by a bench shelter and come to another bridge and Marker 35 at 4.3 miles.
Note; Left, North, a pedestrian bridge over the Canal will return you to Southern Blue Loop Trail.
Continue along the Yellow Trail, which turns South, past a gate out to Perry Ave at 4.4 miles.
Note; This next section is partly on-road and not recommended for kids on bikes. Simply return back to the Yellow Trail and Marker 5 which is where this detour takes you.
Head right, South, on-road along Perry Ave (low traffic) to Grand Ave. I haven't checked out this next section. Cross over through the Grand Ave parking lot to a narrow, paved Trail, that travels South, between Ledge & Lajoie Fields, out to Ledge St and another paved Trail. Head right, West, past a cool sculpture along this narrow Trail, which travels alongside Ledge St. Continue West, on-road (wide shoulder) to Simon St. Turn right, North, on-road (no shoulder) through an industrial park and bear left along Whipple St. This will bring you to the Whipple Street Entrance & parking area. Head past the gate and you'll return to the Yellow Trail and Marker 5 after about 1.2 miles [5.6 miles Total].
Continuing from the Yellow Trail and Marker 5. Turn left and follow the Yellow Trail South along the Nashua Power Canal (a bit rough). After traveling underneath Route 3 you'll come to the Red Trail and Marker 1. The Nashua HS South sports fields will be along your left. You'll come to another pedestrian bridge over the canal.
Note; The Red Trail is more of a hiking trail as it continues South from here.
Cross the bridge over to the Eastern Green Loop Trail at 6.2 miles. Continue straight, West, along the paved trail, which will bring you to the Western Green Loop Trail.
Note; Straight, West, along the paved trail brings you to a pedestrian bridge over the the Nashua River. This leads to Lincoln Park (ball fields) and the Coliseum Ave parking lot.
Turn left, South, along the wide, hard packed Western Green Loop Trail, past Marker G21 and through the woods. Cross a scenic brook before a slight uphill climb. Come to an intersection with the Eastern Green Loop Trail at Marker G48 and turn right along the Green Trail. This will return you to the Millhouse Pond & Gatehouse parking lot after a 6.8 mile Loop.
Nashua Heritage Rail Trail:
Starting from City Hall at Main Street [Eastern End]; The Nashua Heritage Rail Trail travels West from Main St starting as a sidewalk past the Veterans Memorials.
Note; Plans are underway to extend the trail from Main St East to Hudson & Denton Streets. Under design in 2024. See; HERITAGE RAIL TRAIL EAST MAP .
After crossing Elm St follow the now wide paved trail as it parallels W Hollis St. Check out all the murals. A multitude of residential street crossings along this first section. Pass by the Ash Street Skate Park before crossing Pine St and coming to a paved trail on your right after 0.5 miles.
Note; You can access the Everett Street 2 WAY BIKE LANE off this trail which leads North to Ledge St. A crosswalk takes you to a pedestrian bridge over the Nashua Power Canal after only 0.1 miles, where you'll connect to the Southern Blue Loop Trail. See; Mine Falls Park Loop Trail Above.
This next section of trail now has only a couple of street crossings and is less urban and more wild. Cross Eaton St via an old RR bridge, before crossing Groton St. One final crossing of 12th St, be fore passing by a Map Board and coming to Will St at 1.3 miles. If you continue left along the narrow, paved trail, you'll come to Simon St at 1.4 miles.
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CLICK HERE FOR HERITAGE RAIL TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR MINE FALLS PARK MAP
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BIKE IT OR HIKE IT