Goffstown & Piscataquog Rail Trails, NH

• 4-star trails
• 8 miles each way
• Easy | Low gradient
• Goffstown to Manchester, NH | Merrimack Region
. NH Rail Trails

A serene natural landscape featuring a large body of water reflecting the sky and surrounding trees. A rust-colored metal bridge spans across the water, connecting two land masses covered with green trees. The sky is partly cloudy, suggesting it might be late spring or early fall due to the full foliage on the trees.

Piscataquog River Rail Trail Bridge connects Goffstown to Manchester

The Goffstown passenger depot began serving the public in 1850 with the opening of the New Hampshire Central Railroad to Manchester, which was quickly extended North as far as Henniker. Although pedestrian rail service closed in 1938 (freight service continued to Manchester until 1981), pleasingly the building still serves the public today though it now serves coffees rather than tickets.

A fire in 1976 burned Goffstown's covered bridge spanning the Piscataquog River so that the passenger depot is no longer directly connected to the old railroad route to Manchester. However, thanks to civic construction projects the towns of Manchester and Goffstown are now connected along the same alignment by the 5.6 mile Goffstown Rail Trail leading to the 2 mile Piscataquog Trail.

⬤ Asphalt ⬤ Hardpack ⬤ Road ⬤ No Access ⬤ Parking

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤⬤⬤ 4★ Goffstown & Piscataquog Rail Trails 7.5 mi ea way, easy, gain 160ft (330ft E-W)
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

Beginning in Goffstown for the full rail trail experience the journey to Manchester is effectively flat, though technically on a marginally downhill grade. Surface is compacted gravel but still easy to walk or ride on.

Passing the old and dilapidated buildings and other remnants of Goffstown's industrial past, the trail continues alongside Glen Lake then crosses state route 114 a couple of times before following the Piscataquog River to Pinardville and ultimately terminating across the Merrimack River in Manchester. We would have liked more views of the lake and river, which are unfortunately hidden behind trees, but the trail is still very pleasant.

A concrete bridge spans over a body of water, likely a river, with reflections visible on the water surface. The sky is partly cloudy with blue patches and white clouds. Street lamps and pedestrians are visible on the bridge. Buildings flank one side of the bridge, and trees can be seen in the background.

Missing Goffstown covered bridge marks the trail's end.

The Goffstown Rail Trail requires three major road crossings which are well protected with crosswalk buttons and lights. The trail also crosses several smaller roads, requiring trail users to obey stop signs and giving road users the right of way. We also noted at least one of these roads having no warning signs to road users about the upcoming rail trail crossing.

Switching on to the Piscataquog Trail will be immediately obvious to most trail users, as its entire length is smoothly paved. After some more forest trail, this section gives great views of the Piscataquog River at the River Trail Bridge and Kelly's Falls Dam before descending into a suburban railroad cutting which leads to the snappily-named Hands Across the Merrimack Footbridge crossing to Manchester.

A wooden pedestrian bridge with metal railings spans over a body of water, under a clear blue sky with scattered clouds. A child wearing a helmet is riding a bicycle on the bridge, facing away from the viewpoint. The bridge leads towards a green landscape in the distance, with lamp posts along the sides.

Approaching Manchester across the Merrimack footbridge.

For further exploration, the East end of the trail connects to Manchester's Heritage Trail which runs along the East banks of the Merrimack River. Across town, there's also the start of the 27 mile Rockingham Recreational Trail. Also just up the road from Goffstown is the pretty 5 mile New Boston Rail Trail which follows a spur off the New Hampshire Central Railroad.

⚠ Trail Conditions: Goffstown trail is hardpack with 0.3 mi of quiet road biking. Piscataquog trail is asphalt throughout. Protected road crossings. Western half of the trail is flat, Eastern half slopes down to Manchester.

An outdoor café scene during the daytime with clear skies. The café has a quaint appearance with decorative trim and string lights. In front of the café, several tables and chairs are set up for patrons, surrounded by an abundance of plants and pumpkins, indicating a seasonal (autumn) theme.

Former Goffstown station, serving coffees instead of tickets.

A pedestrian tunnel with vibrant graffiti art covering its walls. The graffiti includes various colorful abstract shapes, patterns, and recognizable elements like a peace sign. The tunnel’s entrance is framed by natural foliage, and the ground appears to be a pathway or trail.

Colorful paint on the Piscataquog Trail.

A serene lakeside scene with a clear sky dotted with clouds. In the foreground, a calm lake reflects the surrounding scenery, with ripples caused by a small boat rowed by an individual. The middle ground shows dense greenery with trees, some displaying autumnal colors. A few houses are nestled among the trees on the far side of the lake, suggesting a residential area. The background is dominated by more trees and a blue sky above.

One of the occasional lake and river views along the trail.

Tangents:
• Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail: Goffstown Rail Trail
• City of Manchester: Piscataquog Trail
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Goffstown Rail Trail
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

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