Winnipesaukee River Rail Trail, NH

• 4-star trail
• 5 miles each way
• Easy | Low gradient
• Franklin to Tilton, NH | Lakes Region
. NH Rail Trails

The image shows an old, abandoned railway bridge spanning over a river. The bridge is constructed from wooden planks and metal rails and appears to be in a state of disrepair. Below, the river flows rapidly, surrounded by a forest with leafless trees, indicating late autumn or early spring. The scene is interesting because it juxtaposes the decaying man-made structure with the natural, flowing river and forest, highlighting themes of nature reclaiming human-made environments. There is a person standing on the bridge, adding a sense of scale and human presence to the scene.

Investigating the Sulphite "Upside Down" Bridge near Franklin, NH.

Following the spectacular Winnipesaukee River and connecting the mill towns of Franklin and Tilton this mostly hard-pack trail is an excellent trip in either direction, visiting both towns and taking you past two separate historic bridges and a former freight depot on the route.

Around 130 feet of elevation gain separate the two towns. Although you'll hardly notice any incline on the rail trail, the difference is enough to bring river rafters and kayakers to tackle the river's curves and white water. Franklin is even developing New England's first white water park at Mill City Park, across the river from the trail's Western terminus.

Converting the 380 foot long Franklin Trestle Bridge to a footbridge is also part of the plans, but for the moment we have to admire it from below. Impressive as this trestle is, it's only the second of two impressive bridges neighboring this trail. The Sulphite Bridge, located a short distance down the trail is now on the National Register of Historic Places and is believed to be the only deck-covered railroad bridge remaining in the country. Regarded as an "upside down" covered bridge, the whole structure below the deck was originally walled-in with lumber to protect it from the elements.

⬤ Asphalt ⬤ Hardpack ⬤ Road ⬤ Live Rail ⬤ No Access ⬤ Parking

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ ⬤ ⬤ 4★ Winnipesaukee River Rail Trail 4.9 mi ea way, easy, mostly low gradient
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

The only paved part of the trail is a 0.4 mile segment near Franklin, between the two bridges, and requires short section of Easterly incline. Trail conditions beyond this are still good for road bikes and strollers however, and for most of its length the trail follows parallel to the old rails which are now being overtaken by trees and other vegetation.

The original trail ends in Tilton after 3.2 miles, but thanks to local efforts a further mile-long section of rail-with-trail has been completed beyond the East end of Tilton. At the moment, connecting these two segments require a three-quarter mile long road biking route along the quiet Elm Street and a short section on Route 132. Thankfully there's a sidewalk on Route 132 for those who prefer to walk, rather than ride along with traffic.

This extension beyond Tilton begins at a nice new parking lot by a railroad river bridge, crosses over the tracks at a grade crossing, then follows adjacent to the tracks for the rest of its length. A chainlink fence separates the trail from the live rail, and views towards the river that runs alongside the route involve occasional peeks through trees. There's a hotel and several businesses at the end of this extension, but no evident public parking opportunities.

⚠ Trail Conditions: Mostly hardpack trail with a short asphalt section at the Franklin end, where there's a brief hill. Gradient heads downhill to the west, averaging 50 feet per mile. The section of trail east of Tilton is flat, but connecting the trails requires 0.7 miles of road biking through Tilton.

The image shows a person riding a bicycle on a dirt path that runs alongside a calm body of water, likely a lake or a river. The path is bordered by trees on both sides, with a dense forest visible in the background. The sky is clear and blue, indicating a sunny day. The reflection of the trees can be seen in the water, adding to the serene and picturesque nature of the scene.

The trail runs alongside the now overgrown railroad lines.

The image is a split view showing two different scenes. The left side of the image depicts the underside of a wooden bridge or trestle structure spanning over a flowing river. The bridge is supported by wooden beams and metal braces, and the water below appears to be moving swiftly. The right side of the image shows a large, black, metal wheel with spokes, possibly part of an industrial machine or historical artifact. The wheel is positioned in an outdoor setting with a street, buildings, and a fenced area visible in the background. The sky in both images is clear and blue, indicating a sunny day.

Views through the Franklin Trestle Bridge | Mill wheel in Franklin's Trestle Park.

The image shows a scenic view of a river with several buildings situated along its banks. The buildings appear to be old and historic, with some showing signs of wear and weathering. One of the buildings is particularly large and has multiple stories with numerous windows. There is also a church steeple visible in the background, adding to the picturesque and quaint atmosphere of the scene. The river is flowing steadily, and the water appears to be slightly turbulent. The sky is clear and blue, indicating a bright and sunny day. This image is interesting and relevant as it captures the charm of a historic riverside town, showcasing the architectural styles and natural beauty of the area.

The river lapping up against the back of Tilton's Main Street.

The image shows an old, weathered sign hanging from a metal bracket attached to a building. The sign is partially peeling and rusted, with some of the text obscured. The visible text on the sign reads: '.. VALLEY RAILROAD STATION HALL' The sign appears to be historical or vintage, suggesting a connection to a railroad station, possibly indicating the building's past use or significance.

Weathered sign hangs off the refurbished former Tilton freight depot.

Tangents:
• AllTrails Public: Lake Winnipesaukee River Trail
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