Granite-Brookline-Potanpio Rail Trails, NH

• 4-star trail
• 11 miles each way
• Easy & Moderate | Low to moderate gradient
• Milford to Brookline NH | Merrimack Region
. NH Rail Trails

The image shows a section of a building with a prominent tower. The building is painted in shades of blue with white trim. The tower has a unique shape, with a wider base that narrows as it rises. At the top of the tower, there is a weather vane. Below the tower, there is a sign that reads 'MILFORD.' The sky in the background is clear and blue, indicating a sunny day. The architectural style and the sign suggest that this might be a historical or significant building, possibly a train station or a public building in Milford.

The well-preserved Milford-Fitchburg station, now an auto body shop.

The combined rail trails of Granite Town, Brookline and Potanipo make a remarkably varied and scenic route that can carry a determined user all the way to the Massacheusetts state line with only a little interaction with road traffic.

Mostly hardpack ground surface with occasional short and light sections or rocks and roots, this trail is suitable for most trail users on foot or bicycle. However, anyone planning to a jaunt along this route should be mindfull of a few possible obstacles.

Just over a mile and a quarter from the Milford end of the trail, and after successfully navigating across a couple of roads and passing through a culvert under Route 101, property issues require a 0.4 mile diversion over a small rocky hill. Hikers won't have any problems here, but bikers will almost certainly need to dismount and walk most of this section.

⬤ Asphalt ⬤ Hardpack ⬤ Rough ⬤ Road ⬤ Parking

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤⬤ 4★ Granite-Brookline-Potanpio Rail Trails 11.0 mi ea way, easy & moderate, gain 310ft (360ft S-N)
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

Also, the shores of Potanipo Pond are home to a summer camp which closes a section off from the public during the seven week school summer break. During this period cyclists would have to divert to road biking on Route 13 for 1.8 miles.

Just South of Potanipo Pond is the charming Nissitissit Covered Bridge, a footbridge named emponymously for the river over which it spans. Beyond here the route is a mix of hardpack and rough trail and an unavoidable section of road biking along Route 13 which thankfully has wide shoulders. We've identified some connecting trails around the area of the sculpture garden for those who would prefer to minimize the amount of time spent sharing the road with large motor vehicles.

Once the trail crosses Route 13 by a new purpose-built parking lot, it officially becomes known as the Potanpio Rail Trail which features almost a mile of wide stone dust covered hardpack trail.

The left side of the image shows a tunnel made of corrugated metal, embedded in a small hill with rocks around its entrance. The tunnel is surrounded by tall pine trees, and a blue sky with some clouds is visible above. A white fence runs along the top of the hill. The right side of the image depicts a forest path lined with tall trees. The path is covered with pine needles and is well-defined, stretching into the distance. The trees are tall and straight, with a mix of sunlight and shadows on the forest floor.

Cutting through pine forest, and under Route 101.

Between the end of the formal Potanpio Rail Trail and the state line are another 1.8 miles of rail trail left to explore. This section of trail is often narrow, criss-crossed by other trails and occasionally blocked by fallen trees, but remains fun trail to explore before it ends at a pair of bridge abutments by the Nissitissit River.

If you're looking for the longest length of contiguous rail trail, rather than trying to explore the full length of the route, then we recommend the Melendy Road parking lot which offers 5.7 miles of trail thats ends close to the covered bridge in the South.

⚠ Trail Conditions: Mostly hardpack, occasional rocks and roots. See map for rough sections. Mostly flat with max gradient 30ft/mi. Ascends South from Milford for 3.6mi, then descends 7.4mi to state line. Small 100ft hilly diversion near Milford.

The image shows a covered bridge in a forested area. The bridge has a wooden structure with a white and red color scheme. There is a sign at the top of the bridge that reads 'Brookline NH Inc. 1769.' The bridge is surrounded by lush green trees and large rocks, with a pathway leading into the bridge.

Nissitissit Covered Bridge.

The image shows a panoramic view of a serene natural landscape featuring a gravel path flanked by water bodies on both sides. The path runs through a forested area with tall trees, some of which are reflected in the calm water. The sky is clear and blue with a few scattered clouds, adding to the tranquil atmosphere.

Scenic ponds aplenty along the Granite Town & Brookline trails.

The image shows a charming, rustic building with a sign that reads 'BROOKLINE.' The structure appears to be a historical or old-fashioned house or station, surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers. The building has a prominent chimney, a covered porch supported by wooden beams, and a red door. The setting is picturesque, with a clear blue sky and tall trees in the background, making it an interesting and serene scene.

Another well preserved station. Please respect the owner's privacy.

Tangents:
• Official: Granite (PDF), Brookline Trails
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Granite Town, Potanpio
• Trail Link: Granite Town
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

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Rail Trails of New England
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Maps, lists, directions and nearby trails to New England's covered bridges.