United States
New Hampshire (NH)
Keene
Things to Do in Keene
Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail
See all things to do

Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail

See all things to do
See all things to do
Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail
4.5

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
65 reviews
Excellent
42
Very good
20
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
413lee
Keene, NH8 contributions
Try it, you’ll enjoy it
Sep 2019
The Cheshire Rail Trail is fantastic place enjoy the outdoors.You can ride it, walk it, hike it, whatever your interests. In some parts you can also ride horses. No motorized vehicles are allowed.
If your new to the area you should familiarize yourself with the entry points and where they take you.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrainManDan10
Keene, NH1,822 contributions
Great Peaceful Nature Walk
Oct 2020 • Couples
After moving to the local area in June 2017 from Manassas, Virginia, my wife and I discovered this rail trail as a peaceful place for a nature walk with our visiting adult children or with our two, now one, Golden Retriever dogs, which we always have on leashes. We usually access the trail just off Rt 9 about a mile west of Home Depot. Check Google Maps for more details. We walk west for up to a mile along a trail that is in good condition.
Written November 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrainManDan10
Keene, NH1,822 contributions
Great Place for Walk
Jun 2020 • Couples
My wife and I moved to Surry, NH, three years ago and have enjoyed this attraction for many reasons: 1. historic rail right-of-way, 2. nature, 3. exercise, and 4. tranquility.

This visit was no different. We usually go to the most peaceful section, accessed by taking Rt 9 pass Base Hill Road and taking the first right turn (less than one mile) and parking along the road about one min drive from Rt 9. We always take our leashed Golden Retriever.
Written July 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NHSkier85
Keene, NH9 contributions
Understand sections of the trail
Sep 2015 • Friends
This is a great trail for biking, running or walking. You do have to understand which section of the trail you will be on to pick the right activity. The sections of the trail within 2-3 miles of Main St in Keene are mostly paved, even and appropriate for any of the above choices. Once you get more than 3-4 miles outside of town, the trail has many sections that may be sandy, rocky, muddy, etc... To travel these sections, bring a mountain bike (not road bike or hybrid) or go on foot. My personal ride of choice takes the trail North & West out of Keene up to Stuart & John's Pancake House. This is not a short ride (about 26 miles round trip) and does require a mountain bike or fat bike if you want to ride. The 1st 5-6 miles out of Keene on this route are paved, then cinder, then some dirt/sand but can be ridden on a road bike or hybrid (or a normal cruiser). This is a rail trail so the normal gradient is about 2% (uphill or downhill) so it does involve and steep climbs.
Written April 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wombat27_11
Brattleboro, VT201 contributions
Amazing
May 2015 • Couples
The rail trail is simply the best kept egret in the area. Over 22 miles of trail running on an old maintained rail be from Swanzey to Walpole, it covers a wide variety of terrain. Within Keene and down towards Swanzey there are urban neighborhood sections, flat and smooth and perfect for walking, running, biking. From Irom Forge Road north the trail quickly turns to beautiful sections through mixed woodland, and sections deeply cut into the rock. Here the surface is less smooth - good for walking, running and trail bikes. (no motorized vehicles allowed except in winter). Since it was a train bed the grade is always gradual, so no steep climbs anywhere. In Keene this is a must for a simple walk or ride. North of Keene it is a marvelous place of beauty and solitude. Access in this section is via local roads intersecting the trial about every2 or 3 miles. My husband and I have hiked all 22 miles out and back, taking it in gentle sections of 4 to 6 miles (out and back) each weekend, each summer or 3 years now.
Written June 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Honor J
Rye, NY43 contributions
A good walk
Sep 2015 • Couples
I wanted to hike this trail, but even after an exhaustive internet search, could not find the detailed information I needed. I did learn that the trail is well maintained and that it is long - and not a loop. I asked the desk staff at the hotel in Keene for information, but none of them knew anything about it, although they were locals.

If you are staying in Keene, the trail head is located off of Gilbo Avenue - walk all the way to the end and cross Lake street, and you'll see signs. You will cross a high bridge over a highway, where you can see a mall to the left.

the trail is very wide - maybe 4 feet across (?) and is shared by walkers, runners, bikes, and horses. We walked from Keene to Stonewell Farm, which depending on which source you consult, is 3 or 4 miles. It parallels the Country Club golf course for part of the way, so although there are woods on one side, the golf club is on the other for part of the way, so we had an outdoor experience but didn't feel as if we had to look out for moose or bear!

The farm is clearly marked from the trail, and is a nice stop. It has bathrooms and a very small shop and a water fountain. We took a rest there and admired the animals (rabbit, goats, horses and cows).

I wanted to walk on, but had no idea what was ahead in the next mile or so. Would we see deep woods? Waterfalls? incredible vistas? We didn't know. We did know that the trail map says "to Walpole" but had no idea how far that would be, or if we would run into another town.

We decided to come back, the way we had come. It was a great few hours out of town, highly recommend it, but bring water and only walk half as far as you think you can - since you have to walk back!
Written September 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaredcordes
Wabash, IN3 contributions
scenic trail
Dec 2014 • Solo
Beautiful scenic trail. Well maintained surface and easily accessible. I enjoyed running on this trail while visiting Keene, NH.
Written January 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dewey24
Keene, NH52 contributions
Terrific trail for hikers...dog walkers...joggers...bikers
Oct 2014 • Friends
You can do long portions of this Rail Trail or get on it at one of the many places along the way and do as little as you like. Hard packed stone dust and almost flat gradient make this a popular and easy trail for all ages.
Written November 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lovin' Life
Jaffrey, NH378 contributions
Goes on for miles with scenic water features and flat path that is great for walking!
May 2019
We have started at a variety of locations, and really enjoy the path from Troy up towards Keene. There is parking at the old Troy railroad station, and you can walk for miles with trees surrounding you, as well as the river next to you.
Written May 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaryBelleIsle
New London, NH17 contributions
Great place tonight and get in some exercise
Oct 2018 • Solo
The trail rail Is extensive having been the former railroad tracks that reached from Connecticut to Canada. They are well-maintained and have always been very safe for me all around the Monadnock Region of NH. My use for them has been for bike riding primarily, the running and walking also. (I’ve seen horse poop so I know they are available for horses and I know they’re used for snowmobiling, too).If you’re in downtown Keene New Hampshire chances are you’ll run into other people on the trails, but if you’re closer to Swanzey then your Chances of running into anyone else are 1 in 4 at best. About an eighth of the time I ran into a deer or more. Often times do you have boulder trails on both sides of you. It’s really beautiful ”Zen”, if you will.
Written October 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 62
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail

Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail Information

Excellent Reviews

42

Very Good Reviews

20

Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail Photos

27