Old Railway Trail – Peterborough, NH

January 22, 2012

Dog-Friendly, Easy, Medium - Encounter Several People, NH, Paved, Rail Trail, Stroller-Friendly, Swamp, Water, Wheelchair Accessible

Length:

Trail Terrain: Paved, completely flat

Difficulty: Easy

Stroller Friendly: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes

The Old Railway Trail follows the rail bed of the old Monadnock Branch Railroad. This portion of the trail is about 3-4 miles long and is frequented by runners, bikers and other just enjoying the outdoors.

The trail hugs the Contoocook River, then the nearby swampland. There are several portions of the trail where you must cross small roads, but the trail then leads you again into more secluded woods. The trail is peppered with benches, offering a chance to sit and rest or take in the surroundings.

The main entrance is within the town of Peterborough, NH, offering a afternoon gaunt for a walk and lunch. It’s a quite nice New Hampshire town, and with many nearby hiking and biking opportunities, is worth several visits.

Getting There:

Address: 174 Summer Street (approx), Peterborough NH

Coordinates: 42.888983, -71.947532 (Directions)

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Sean McInerney on December 6, 2015

Hi Gang,
Slight historical correction here (as an amateur railroad history buff) on the rail bed you are walking on. It was not the Monadnock Branch Railroad. There was no such entity. The rail trail from Peterborough to its current end is on the Peterborough and Hillsborough Railroad. It may seem strange but they never operated it. Upon completion to the town of Hillsborough, it was leased and operated by the Northern Railroad in 1878 (another great rail trail now). The shorter rail trail that begins on Rt 101 and heads south toward Jaffrey was the Monadnock Railroad. However it does not connect with the popular Monadnock Branch Trail that goes from Jeffrey center to the Massachusetts state line. Maybe some day it will connect with the North Central Pathway that runs down through Winchendon toward Gardner.
This site documents some great trails in the MA-NH area. Thank you for providing all the details and commentary that help promote trail usage and new construction. I also feel that we should acknowledge at some level who the actual trail builders were, the railroad!

Regards,
….Sean