Bordered on the north by the Canadian Province of Quebec, Vermont to the west, Maine to the east, and the White Mountains to the south, the Great North Woods region
is one of the last "true" wilderness
areas. 97% of the land is heavily forested. While, much of the land is privately held,
landowners often permit recreational trail use. There are numerous backcountry
trails and logging roads to explore by mountain bike. Don't be surprised if you see a moose
watching you ride by!
The Great North Woods region also has one of the most comprehensive, well-marked
and maintained snowmobiling trail systems in the Northeast. While the roads and
trails in this region are not heavily traveled, bicyclists should be
alert to logging and other truck traffic. If you want to get away from it all,
you can't pick a better place.
The White Mountains region is
home to Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast (6,288 feet above
sea level) and the White Mountains National Forest. While many of the forest
roads and trails are physically challenging and require long steady climbs and
steep descents, there is plenty of variety. Choose from
a network of forest and old logging roads, snowmobile trails, country lanes and historical rail trails to fit any skill level. Several of the region's
downhill ski areas, including Attitash, Loon
Mountain and Waterville Valley,
offer lift-served mountain biking in the summer.
Mountain biking here
is a safer choice than road biking, especially for families, because traffic
during peak summer season is heavy. The
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Pinkham
Notch offers children a nice place to ride.
The Lakes region,
known as "The Land Between The Lakes" is
a transitional zone between the "plains" of Southern New Hampshire
and the White Mountains. 273 lakes and ponds and the nearby White Mountains make
this a popular resort haven.
Besides boating, fishing and swimming, there are
also some interesting places to mountain bike. A local favorite is Blue Job Mountain,
located near Blue Job Mountain State Forest and the town of Rochester. Gunstock ski area has a trail system that can be used for biking during the warmer months. For a scenic lakeside ride, Chamberlain-Reynolds
Memorial Forest on the shores of Squam Lake has
a mix of easy and intermediate level biking trails. The Wolfeboro / Sanbornville
Recreational Trail offers a pleasant, scenic ride along an old railroad bed with
wildlife viewing opportunities and historical points of interest along the
way. More choices are available just 45 minutes away in the White
Mountains.
The Merrimack Valley/Seacoast region
has a history that dates way back to the founding of our nation. Even though
it is the most heavily populated part of the state, there are some great places
to bike. Some highlights are Bear
Brook State Park Trails ,
the largest developed State Park in New Hampshire with nearly 40 miles of rideable
trails, the popular Pawtuckaway State
Park and the well-maintained 25 mile Rockingham
Recreational Trail.
Mostly rural, the Monadnock region
in the Southwestern corner of New Hampshire, is known for its quaint villages, rolling farmlands and
historic mills and antique barns. Pisgah State Park, the
largest in the New Hampshire Park's system, is a mountain biking mecca.
The Dartmouth Lake/Sunapee region is
characterized by undulating green hills and farmland, picturesque villages with
white clapboard churches, historic covered bridges and numerous colleges
and academies. The Connecticut River runs along the western side of the region.
The terrain along the river valley is relatively flat to rolling, becoming
hillier the further eastward you travel. Pillsbury State Park although remote, is a popular mountain biking destination. The Sugar River Rail Trail travels over almost a dozen bridges, including two historic covered bridges. Mountain bikers can find
additional miles of scenic routes on country lanes to ride.
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