Before Word Gets Out, Visit One Of New Hampshire’s Newest Rail Trails

In the 19th century, the railroad boom in New England connected communities like never before. Goods and people could be moved much easier and further than previously thought. The later rise of air and auto travel negated some of the use for passenger rail services and many rail lines went extinct. But they didn’t die out completely. Many have been repurposed into multi-use recreational trails that once again tie communities together. There are a wide variety of New Hampshire rail trails, and one of the newest is restoring a connection between the Capital City and the Lake Sunapee region.

Concord – Lake Sunapee Rail Trail

Concord – Lake Sunapee Rail Trail

Concord – Lake Sunapee Rail Trail/Facebook

Concord – Lake Sunapee Rail Trail

Concord – Lake Sunapee Rail Trail

Concord – Lake Sunapee Rail Trail/Facebook

Eric Bissonnette/All Trails

Cyclists, walkers, runners, and skiers will want to keep an eye on the progress of this newest New Hampshire rail trail. For the latest updates and news as construction continues, visit the Concord – Lake Sunapee Rail Trail website and follow Concord – Lake Sunapee Rail Trail on Facebook. Need gear before you head out for a trail ride? REI can set you up right.

Converting former railroads to multi-use outdoor corridors is nothing new in New Hampshire. A stunning example is this 83-mile trail corridor that connects ten northern towns.

America’s Best Small Towns of 2023

America’s Best Small Lake Town

Runner Up

Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

Picture it: Wood-clad Chris Craft speedboats bobbing by the docks in summer, colorful ice-fishing huts dotting the lake in winter, trees lit up gold and red against the quaint New England village scenery come autumn. The tiny town of Wolfeboro, NH — dubbed “the oldest summer resort in the U.S.” — sits between Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Wentworth and has been a go-to getaway spot since New Hampshire was still an English colony. Check into the Pickering House Inn (voted by T+L readers to be one of New England’s best stays in this year’s World’s Best Awards), an 1813 estate that’s been reimagined as a luxurious 10-room boutique hotel, and make it your jumping off point for mornings lounging in the sun on Brewster Beach and afternoon strolls down Main Street, just a block away from Winnipesaukee. The newly expanded Burnt Timber Brewing and Tavern is a laid-back spot for brunch or lunch — try the Korean fried chicken sandwich and a pint of the kaffir lime-infused Always Summer Saison. And don’t leave town without a meal at Pavilion, a three-year-old fine dining restaurant now run by chef Chris Viaud, a Top Chef alum and James Beard semifinalist whose New England upbringing and Haitian roots inspire his vibrant farm-to-table cuisine.

— Lila Harron Battis

Our beautifully decorated function room is the perfect spot to celebrate your nuptials! We take care of all the details from start to finish so you can enjoy your big day. With an on-site restaurant, brewery, and inn, everything is right here. No driving necessary! For more information, visit our website.