Derry & Windham Rail Trails, NH


• 4-star trail
• 8 miles each way
• Easy | Low gradient
• Derry to Windham NH | Merrimack Region
.   NH Rail Trails   The image shows a blue and black caboose train car labeled 'C 16' on a set of train tracks. The caboose has a small raised section on the roof with windows, and there are trees in the background. The caboose is painted blue with black trim and has a white logo on the side. The setting appears to be a park or a museum, as there is a signpost and a gravel path nearby.
Historic Boston & Maine caboose at Windham Junction.

With the joining of Derry and Windham trails to the Salem Bike-Ped Corridor, New Hampshire now boasts a thirteen mile continuous asphalt paved trail from the northern boundaries of Derry all the way to Massachusetts. And more is to come as efforts are underway to bridge the mile-long gap to the 4.5 mile Londonderry Rail Trail just to the North. Eventually there are also ambitions to create a state-spanning 125 mile Granite State Rail Trail along this route.

Today however there's already plenty to enjoy. The Derry and Windham Rail Trails pass mostly through scenic woodland, alongside ponds and creeks, across railroad embankments and through cuttings, with little indication of the surrounding low-density residential neighborhoods.

⬤ Asphalt   ⬤ Rough   ⬤ Bike Lane   ⬤ Road   ⬤ No Access   ⬤ Parking  
⬤ 4★ Derry & Windham Rail Trails   7.8 mi ea way, easy, gain 190ft (270ft S-N)
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

The restored depot buildings and former Boston & Maine caboose at Windham Junction roughly marks the mid-point of the two trails. From here you could also pick up the old Worcester, Nashua & Rochester Railroad that intersects at this point, although these trails - Windham Greenway to the West, and Rockingham-Fremont to the East - are much rougher and best suited to mountain and gravel bikes.

In the town of Derry bikers must dismount as they pass the old Derry station, which is now a restaurant. Further North a short section of quiet road biking is required before returning to a dedicated rail trail by Hoods Pond.

The image shows a serene outdoor scene featuring a calm body of water, likely a lake or pond, surrounded by trees and vegetation. A paved path runs alongside the water, and a person is riding a bicycle on the path. The sky is clear and blue, indicating a sunny day. The reflection of the trees and sky in the water adds to the tranquility of the scene.
One of several trailside ponds along the route.

It is possible to continue North beyond the Derry Rail trail and on to the Londonderry Rail Trail (linked below) with the use of a mile-long undeveloped section of former railroad line North of Madden Road. Expect hardpack ground with bunny hills, muddy patches and a creek crossing that when we visited was spanned by a rudimentary bridge. The plans to complete this connection were initially stymied by property issues, but are now mostly tied up by construction of a new I93 freeway exit and issues with New Hampshire DOT's refusal to build a tunnel to accommodate the rail trail.

The Derry & Windham Rail Trails have been a great success story, and popularity with walkers, families and cyclists alike show that great trails bring lots of opportunity for recreation, commuting and business growth.

⚠ Trail Conditions: Asphalt throughout with protected road crossings. Mostly flat, slight gradient around 20ft/mi which peaks in the middle at Windham Depot.

The image shows the exterior of a building with a covered porch area. The building has light-colored siding with dark trim around the windows and doors. There are several outdoor light fixtures with a vintage design hanging from the porch roof. The porch area has several black chairs stacked together and a table. The columns supporting the porch roof are wrapped with string lights. The ground is paved with a combination of brick and concrete. The sky is clear and blue, and there are some trees visible in the background.
The former Derry passenger depot, now a restaurant.

The image shows a paved path or trail running through a forested area. The path is flanked by trees, some of which are bare, suggesting it might be early spring or late fall. The sun is shining brightly in the sky, casting long shadows of the trees onto the path. There is a small body of water visible to the right of the path.
More flat surfaces on the Windham Rail Trail.

Tangents:
• Official: Windham Rail Trail
• AllTrails Public: Derry, Windham
• TrailLink: Derry, Windham
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us


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