Find Your Adventure: Bike in NH
From surfing to zip-lining, from climbing to biking, local pros show you where to start for some of the Granite State’s most thrilling pursuits
Looking for an opportunity to get out and try a new sport or hobby this season, but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Each of our local adventure experts will guide you through how to approach ziplining, ATVing, biking, surfing, scuba diving, climbing and whitewater rafting, complete with tips and tricks for each quest and recommendations for where to go.
Find More Adventures:
Riding High: Zip-lining in NH
Wild On Wheels: ATV-in in NH
Cruising the Thin Blue Line: Surfing in NH
Take a Hike: Hiking in NH
Find Your Froth: Whitewater Rafting in NH
Hot Wheels by Brion O’Connor
Great mountain biking spots in the Granite State
Careening at top speed down one of the woodland trails at Highland Mountain Bike Park. Photo by Victor Lucas
New Hampshire cyclists, specifically those who venture off-road — are a fortunate lot. Every corner of the state enjoys an abundance of wonderful routes, from rail-trail cruisers to white-knuckle rambles. That’s the beauty of mountain bikes and gravel rigs. These two-wheelers are remarkably versatile, allowing riders to sample a fantastic variety of terrain, especially when the ground features dirt, roots and rocks.
However, choosing the “best” places to ride is always a tricky proposition, since any list will be subjective. Instead, we’re suggesting “great” places to ride around the Granite State. You won’t be disappointed with any of these spots.
Local fat-tire types would often make the trek to Vermont’s fabled Northeast Kingdom. Now many opt to visit Green Woodlands Foundation in Dorchester. Offering a veritable cornucopia of trails tailored for neophytes to solid intermediates, the nonprofit aims to help people connect to nature through cross-country skiing and mountain biking. And they deliver.
Not far from the state capital of Concord, Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown has long been a premier destination for mountain bikers throughout the region, with an extensive, well-marked trail system. Check out the grin-inducing “Hedgehog Ledge” and “Chipmunk” to test your rocks and roots skills.
Mountain bikers of all abilities will love North Conway’s fabulous Eastside Trail Network with its quicksilver single-track runs that feature wooden bridges, swooping berms, and spine-tingling descents with stunning views. Bring your granny gears and climbing legs to the epic Red Tail Trail.
Southeast New Hampshire’s finest single-track destination is tucked away at Drummer Hill Conservation Area and Goose Pond in Keene, where intermediate and expert riders can pedal 13 miles of rugged trails. Goose Pond is a bracing spot for a summer swim, while in winter the trails transform into a fat-biking wonderland.
Close to the Connecticut River in Lebanon, the Landmark/Boston Lot trail network has a bounty of exquisite technical, rocky terrain, including advanced options such as “Rob’s Rolldown” and “Spiny,” all maintained by the Upper Valley Mountain Bike Association. The thigh-frying 14-mile “Three Hills Ride” is a local favorite.
As for hidden gems, try the Ramblin’ Vewe Farm Trust in Gilford. This nonprofit organization aspires to conserve rural landscapes, and offers an entertaining milieu of multi-use trails that are open year-round. The routes here range from flat to hilly, with a combination of dirt roads and single-track paths, providing a multi-level experience.
Divided by Route 101 but connected by a giant culvert running beneath the highway, Fort Rock encompasses Oaklands Town Forest and Henderson-Swasey Town Forest in Exeter, totaling 450 acres of near-constant challenge, even for expert mountain bikers. Henderson-Swasey is a nice counterpoint, offering more mellow pedaling.
Not everyone is hardcore. For beginners and intermediates looking to hone their skills and develop more confidence, the hundreds of acres surrounding Franklin Falls Dam on the Pemigewasset River near Franklin features more than 13 miles of friendly, flowing routes. Don’t miss the natural halfpipe on the signature “Mighty Chicken” trail.
Just a few minutes from downtown Wolfeboro, Sewall Woods is a 179-acre woodland encompassing 4 parcels belonging to the Lakes Region Conservation Trust. Consisting of 5 miles of beginner to intermediate single-track and double-track trails with some nice flow sections, these routes are perfect for families.
Also in the Lakes Region, Laconia’s Ahern State Park boasts serpentine single-track routes with picturesque views of Lake Winnisquam. The 7-mile network is rated primarily from easy to intermediate, but it does have some steep terrain and rocky drops.
Spanning nearly 90 acres in Gorham, Moose Brook State Park has a selection of sinewy single-track trails, including some of the most demanding in the state, plus scenic dirt roads. Nearby, the Coos Trails is known for a wide assortment of terrain.
Finally, for gravity junkies who prefer lift-assisted ripping along machine-built trails, check out Highland Mountain Bike Park, the former Highland Ski Area in Northfield, and the mountain bike-specific parks at four-season resorts like Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln and Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway. The chairlift near the village at Waterville Valley Resort accesses multi-use trails, so cyclists need to take care to share.
Find your adventure!
Green Woodlands Foundation: greenwoodlandsfoundation.org
Bear Brook State Park: nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/bear-brook-state-park
Eastside Trail Network: eastsidebikeguides.com/local-intel.html
Drummer Hill Conservation Area: explorekeene.org/places/biking/drummer-hill-conservation-area
Landmark/Boston Lot: uvmba.org/localtrails/lebanon
Ramblin’ Vewe Farm Trust: ramblinvewefarm.org
Fort Rock: mtbproject.com/directory/8014955/fort-rockoaklands-trails
Franklin Falls Dam: recreation.gov/gateways/210
Sewall Woods: lrct.org/property/sewall-woods#trail-map
Ahern State Park: nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/ahern-state-park
Moose Brook State Park: nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/moose-brook-state-park
Highland Mountain Bike Park: highlandmountain.com
Loon Mountain Resort: loonmtn.com
Cranmore Mountain Resort: cranmore.com
Waterville Valley Resort: waterville.com
For more recommendations, check the nine New Hampshire chapters of the New England Mountain Bike Association (nemba.org/chapters#nh), or groups such as Ride NoCo (ridenoco.org) or the Upper Valley Mountain Bike Association (uvmba.org).
Brion O’Connor is a frequent contributor and an avid outdoor adventurist with a passion for biking and cycling. When he’s not exploring all of the thrill-seeking options the Granite State has to offer, you can also find him playing hockey or soccer with his family.
