Henniker & Hopkinton Rail Trails NH

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

The image depicts a woodland trail covered with fallen autumn leaves. The trail runs alongside a body of water, likely a river or lake, which is visible through the trees on the left. The surrounding trees are mostly bare, indicating late autumn, and a soft sunset or early evening light filters through, casting a gentle glow on the scene. The path stretches forward, creating a sense of depth.

On the West Hopkinton Rail Trail, alonside the Contoocook River

Beyond the more well-known rail trails of New Hampshire there are still more rail beds and relics of the golden age of rail to be discovered. We're exploring the gaps between established trails to find other routes that are rideable, often thanks to hard work of volunteer trail crews who maintain them as snowmobile routes.

In this article we map and describe three rail trail opportunities around the towns of Henniker and Hopkinton. We also show them on our complete Rail Trail Map of New Hampshire linked below, which views them context of the former railroad network, and provides links to more trail reviews of other connecting rail trails.

⬤ Hardpack ⬤ Rough ⬤ Road ⬤ No Access ⬤ Parking

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

1 3★ Henniker Rail Trail 2.3 mi ea way, moderate, low gradient
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

2 3★ Henniker Line Rail Trail 2.1 mi ea way, moderate, low gradient
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

3 3★ West Hopkinton Rail Trail 2.3 mi ea way, moderate, Low gradient
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

1 Henniker Rail Trail
The most obvious evidence of Henniker's rail heritage is the old passenger station South of town on Depot Hill Road, now converted into college alumni offices. To the East of the station the trail follows the parking lot, crosses Route 114, and bears right along the Southern banks of the Contoocook River. The navigable unpaved single-track trail ends at the former station of Henniker Junction by Bennett Road, but the trail can be picked up again across the river at the Henniker Line Rail Trail.

Henniker Junction was where railroad line also branched up and over the river to the Henniker C&M station, but none of that line remains today and there's no sign of the station (possibly now a residential building?). South from Henniker Junction was another line, heading towards Weare and Everett Dam. We've identified more navigable rail trails in that direction and address them in a separate article. That line continues south past New Boston Rail Trail and towards Goffstown and Piscataquog Rail Trails.

To the West of the Henniker Station a building supply company owns the property, so we've traced a route that picks up the trail behind a yurt on college property. From here it's a straight-shot until you're interrupted by a sports field, but the wide unpaved trail continues beyond this to the demolished Contoocook River bridge. Beyond the river the land previously occupied by the rail route at West Henniker is privately owned and occupied by residential housing.

⚠ Trail Conditions: Hardpack trail surface with occasional mud. Flat trail.

The image shows a historical railway station building with a sign that reads 'Henniker.' The building has a classic design with wooden siding painted in white and green trim, featuring overhanging eaves supported by dark wooden brackets. The structure appears well-preserved and has an old-fashioned charm, typical of small-town or rural stations from earlier eras. In front of the building, there is an old baggage cart with large red wheels and a blue frame, adding to the vintage feel. A short section of railway track runs adjacent to the station, with no active trains visible, suggesting it may no longer be in regular use. The area around the station is quiet and serene, with a brick-paved platform, some greenery, and a few buildings in the background.

Now an office, the Henniker station building acknowledges its origins.

2 Henniker Line Rail Trail
We found this wide unpaved trail through the woods North of the river to be mostly easy to ride on with our folding hybrid bikes. Some muddy patches towards the Hopkinton Dam caused us a minor inconvenience, but thanks to the hard work of the Henniker snowmobile club the trail is well maintained. At the Western end the trail terminates at the river by an abandoned river bridge abutment, but we also mapped out a 1.6 mile link with Old Concord Road should you want to connect up with Henniker. Best parking is at Hopkinton Dam.

⚠ Trail Conditions: Wide hardpack trail surface. Flat trail.

The image features a concrete structure with a high water mark sign indicating a past flood level from April 1969. The wall has a height gauge with large numbers, marking elevation levels for tracking water height. A bicycle is parked nearby, casting a long shadow, and the sun is low in the sky, creating a bright flare effect and casting rays across the scene. A metal railing runs alongside, suggesting this location might be on a dam or a bridge over water. The surrounding trees and clear blue sky contribute to a calm, yet stark atmosphere, emphasising the high flood levels that once occurred here.

Westerly towards The Henniker Line, at Hopkinton Dam.

3 West Hopkinton Rail Trail
Interrupted by the Hopkinton Dam, the rail trail continues to trace a Westerly route along the Northern banks of the Contoocook River and then proceeds through an impressive cutting and embankment, before a long straight shot towards the town of Contoocook. Unfortunately private property stops you before you get that far, and there's a link trail to Pine Street at the Eastern end of the trail. Much of the trail is under cover of forest, though the views where the trail run alongside the river are very pleasant. We parked by the roadside at Rowell covered bridge. There are no apparent parking opportunities at the East side of this trail.

⚠Trail Conditions: Hardpack trail surface. Good for hikers, hybrid, gravel and mountain bikes. Very sandy 0.2 mi section midway might require walking bike. Trail is flat.

Image from the point of view of a cyclist, with handlebar and hands visible. Cyclist is on a rickety boardwalk through the woods, with a river reflecting blue skies and sunlight on the right side of the picture.

Boardwalk navigating under the US-202 road bridge.

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Rail Trails of New Hampshire
The state's first and only complete rail trail map. With photos, reviews and downloads.

NH Covered Bridges
Maps, lists, directions and nearby trails to the state's covered bridges.