WINNIPESAUKEE RIVER TRAIL:
FRANKLIN-TILTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: January 06, 2025
Length: Winnipesaukee River Trail; Eastern Section; 1.2 miles
Winnipesaukee River Trail; Western Section; 3.1 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Mostly flat stone-dust rail trail. One slight hill in Franklin.
Directions:
To Start from Trestle View Park in Franklin [Western Section/Western End]; From I-93 take exit 20 to Routes 3 south & 11 west to Franklin. Cross river and turn right into Trestle View Park, across from the RR trestle.
To Start from the Salmon Run Conservation Area parking lot in Tilton [Eastern Section/Western End]; From I-93 take exit 20 to Route 3 and head right, south. The highway merges. Keep an eye to your left to spot the Salmon Run Conservation Area parking lot.
The Winnipesaukee River Trail; Western Section follows an old rail bed from Franklin, East, to Northfield along the Winnipesaukee River. Currently, there is a Gap East, to the Winnipesaukee River Trail; Eastern Section in Tilton. The trail affords views of the Winnipesaukee River including a spectacular view of a gorge frequently used for whitewater kayaking. The area contains many historic and cultural sites including an old railroad trestle, the Sulfite Bridge (an upside down covered bridge on the National Register of Historic Sites) and remains of old paper mills. For more information visit; WINNIPESAUKEE RIVER TRAIL , WINNIPESAUKEE RIVER TRAIL .
Winnipesaukee River Trail; Western Section:
Starting from Trestle View Park in Franklin [Western End]; A Map Board is located here at the cinder block building. A brick pathway takes you through the park, past an amphitheatre overlooking the Winnipesaukee River to a brick promenade overlooking the Winnipesaukee River and the Harris Corliss Wheel (from an old mill). Follow the cross-walk over Route 3 to the start of the Winnipesaukee River Trail. Here you'll find the Sulfite Bridge (an upside down covered bridge on the National Register of Historic Sites) along with some informational signs. The trail starts out paved as it ascends a ridge heading East, with the river below to your left. After 0.5 miles the trail converts to stone-dust as you reach the old rail bed. Left is the old RR Sulphite Bridge across the river [Caution; Bridge is in poor condition]. Traveling right the trail travels above the river along a partially shaded corridor. You'll pass by a granite bench where if you look across the river you'll spot the remnants of an old brick mill building. The trail pulls away from the river, as you cross into Northfield for a bit and crosses Cross Mill Rd at 1.2 miles, as the trail turns Southeast. As you briefly come alongside the river again at 1.7 miles spot the old RR tracks still running alongside the trail on your left. Pass by a scenic little pond on your right at 2 miles. Cross an old RR bridge over Williams Brook before utilizing the dirt, Johnson Rd, next to the recycling center at 2.6 miles for a short distance, as the trail turns North. The trail then briefly comes alongside the Hobo & Winnipesaukee RR before turning left off the rail bed, heading through a fence and traveling along an open field. This takes you to a skate park and Gibson Mill Road parking lot along the river at 3.1 miles. To your left is a power dam on the river. If you travel out of the parking lot and across the RR tracks you may turn left passing through two rows of old rail cars and cabooses before coming to the old Merrimack Valley RR Function Hall alongside Park St at 3.3 miles.
Note; To connect to the Eastern Section, cross Park St to Elm St (opposite Function Hall) and travel on-road (residential). Turn left on School St and cross the river to Tilton. Turn right, Northeast, along busy Route 3 (narrow shoulder; Not recommended for novice bikers) and follow to the Salmon Run Conservation Area parking lot on your right after 0.7 miles.
Winnipesaukee River Trail; Eastern Section:
Starting from the Salmon Run Conservation Area parking lot in Tilton [Western End]; [Re-zeroing Mileage] Map Board. The stone-dust Winnipesaukee River Trail travels South to the Winnipesaukee River and Hobo & Winnipesaukee RR tracks. Here the narrow trail travels Northeast, alongside the RR tracks. Come to Knapp Rd and cross the RR tracks, where the trail continues alongside the RR tracks. Trail parallels the Winnipesaukee River along your right. Travel underneath I-93 and cross back over the RR tracks. Pass by the Route 140 parking lot on your left before the trail ends after 1.2 miles at Route 140.
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CLICK HERE FOR TRAILSPOTTING MAP
CLICK HERE FOR FRANKLIN SECTION MAP
CLICK HERE FOR NORTHFIELD SECTION MAP
CLICK HERE FOR TILTON SECTION MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT