Everett Dam & Weare Rail Trails NH

• 3-star trails
• 3 miles (over 2 trails)
• Moderate | Low & moderate gradient
• Weare & Henniker, NH | Merrimack Region
. NH Rail Trails

The image shows a bicycle parked on a concrete pathway leading to a large concrete structure with a green door. The pathway is flanked by metal railings and extends over a body of water, which appears to be partially frozen. The surrounding landscape includes wooded areas and open fields. The sky is clear with a few clouds.

Biking on Everett Dam. Trail is visible to the left of the lake.

The Great 1938 Hurricane that hit Southern New England by surprise one fall day caused much devastation and the resulting floods were a nail in the coffin of many a railroad line. The construction of new dams as part of the Hopkinton-Everett Lakes Flood Risk Management Project ensures that the Merrimack Valley no longer experiences such devastation, but resulted abandoning much land to potential flood plains including the entire town of East Weare.

Today we can still travel on sections of the railroad alignment between the towns of Weare and Henniker, including the location of the former East Weare station on the southern banks of the Piscataquog River.

⬤ Hardpack ⬤ No Access ⬤ Parking

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

1 2★ Colby Crossing 0.6 mi ea way, easy, low gradient
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

2 3★ Everett Dam & East Weare 2.0 mi ea way, moderate, low gradient
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

1 Colby Crossing
North of Everett Dam. Possibly a route only of interest to completists, the section we've identified on our map is now a dirt road serving occasional remote residential property. We found an overbridge on Colby Crossing Road with track bed underneath; in a state of disrepair, but a rare reminder of old railroad infrastructure.

We found this section on a ride from Henniker along the old Bennett Road - now closed and part of the floodplain - but freely navigable by bicycles. We've marked this linking route in blue on our global rail trails map.

⚠ Trail Conditions: Hardpack dirt road with very occasional motor vehicle use. Flat trail.

The image shows a stone and concrete bridge in a forested area. The bridge is supported by a stone wall and spans over a dry, leaf-covered ground. The surrounding area is densely populated with trees, some of which are bare while others have green foliage. The bridge has a metal railing on top, and the scene appears to be in a natural, possibly remote location.

Colby Crossing Bridge, between Weare and Henniker

2 Everett Dam & East Weare
Begin at the large US Army Corps of Engineers parking lot, travelling along the crest of the Everett Dam to reach the former railroad line which now runs alongside Everett Lake, taking a left turn towards the former location of East Weare station and terminating at the demolished railroad river bridge location. This is a very enjoyable and picturesque route along the lake and through woodland.

We did find further evidence of the continuing railroad line on the other side of the river in the woods by East Weare Road (overgrown) and Concord Stage Road (flooded) but nothing that is currently navigable. Between Concord Stage Road and the Colby section described below, the railroad route is clearly visible on aerial images but was far too waterlogged to proceed.

Also, check out the Raymond Cliff talus caves on the West flanks of Everett Lake. After descending the trail from the top of the dam, look out for informal trails on the left that disappear into the woodland. Among the trees are the rocks of a cliff-fall that you'll have to navigate around before you find these hidey-holes. More information here.

⚠ Trail Conditions: Hardpack surface except for 0.4 asphalt on top of dam. Some shallow sand next to the lake. Mostly flat, except for 60 ft dam height differential.

The image shows a scenic landscape featuring a dam structure with a tall, cylindrical tower and a bridge-like walkway extending from it. The dam is built on a slope covered with dark rocks. In the background, there is a forest with trees displaying vibrant autumn colors, ranging from green to shades of yellow, orange, and red. A small body of water is visible near the base of the dam. In the foreground, there is a well-maintained grassy area with a path, on which two people are walking. The sky is clear and blue.

New Hampshire Fall at Everett Dam.

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