DERRY RAIL TRAIL:
DERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: August 15, 2009
Length: Derry Rail Trail; 3.6 miles to Windham. Paved; 1.4 miles, Cinder; 2.2 miles
Derry Loop Trail; 4.7 miles
Difficulty: Derry Rail Trail; Easy. Flat paved rail trail.
Derry Loop Trail; Moderate. Trail consists of paved sections, stone-dust sections and on-road sections. Some hilly sections.
Directions:
To start from Route 102; From I-93 take exit 3 to Route 102 east. When you come to downtown look for a wide brick cross-walk. Just before this cross-walk take a right past the old train station, now the "Depot Square Steak House" and park near the rear. The rail trail heads south, while the loop trail heads north.
The Derry Rail Trail travels along the railroad bed of the old Manchester and Lawrence Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad. Future plans call for continuing the trail south to connect to the existing Windham Rail Trail. See; Windham Rail Trail Letterbox . The Derry Loop Trail travels around the town of Derry, connecting schools, parks and the rail trail. For more information visit; DERRY RAIL TRAIL .
Starting from Route 102; The Derry Loop Trail heads north across Route 102. See below. Heading south along the Derry Rail Trail, the paved trail travels past the old Derry Train Station and through town. A cross-walk takes you over South Ave where the trail continues straight past a cul-de-sac. The trail heads into the woods at 0.3 miles and travels over a berm with green fencing. Beaver Brook runs below. After passing through a small rock cut you'll come to the junction of Norton St & Hall Ave at a 1/2 mile.
Note; The Derry Loop Trail returns to the rail trail here. See below.
After 0.8 miles you come to Kendall Pond Rd. The newly paved section continues across the road.
Note; This section was still under construction, but open during the off hours as of August 15, 2009).
Continue straight through the woods and soon you'll come to the current end of the paved trail after 1.4 miles. There is a low culvert pipe that some people use to travel underneath Bowers Rd or follow the trail up to Bowers Rd, head right, then cross over and return to the trail. This next section consists of cinder, but is very ridable as it travels south to meet up with the Windham rail Trail. A Mt bike is recommended.
Starting from Route 102 along the Derry Loop Trail; Head north across the wide cross-walk to a small garden park. Here you'll find a map board along with an old RR Mile Marker; M11-L16 or Manchester 11 miles-Lawrence 16 miles. The trail follows a brick lined path along Manning St. The old "Grainery of Derry" building is across the street. The trail can be tricky to follow at times as some of the green "Bike Route" signs are missing. The only map I could find on-line is not as specific as the map board. The trail crosses the street near the courthouse and utilizes a bike lane (low traffic). You'll come to Hoods Pond & Hoods Park after a 1/4 mile. Head right through the parking lot to the basketball courts and take the paved trail.
Note; The lower paved trail simply brings you down to the beach.
The paved trail heads into the woods, turning to gravel after a 1/2 mile. Bear right and you'll emerge at the end of a cul-de-sac (Mitchell Ave). Head on-road up Mitchell Ave and turn right on Franklin St Ext, then a quick left on Lincoln St (all residential). Take the cross-walk over Crystal Ave and turn left. A quick right will bring you back to a paved path at 3/4 miles. You come to an intersection with athletic fields on your left. If you continued straight up the hill you'd come to a small playground. STOP. You need to turn left towards the fields. The paved trail ends and turns to hard packed dirt as it travels around MacGregor Park, which is part of the middle school. You return to a paved path and continue around the fields and out to Peabody Annex at 1 1/4 miles. This begins another on-road section (although their are sidewalks available). Follow Peabody Rd Annex to Peabody Rd and turn right. Bike lane. Take a left when you reach Perley Rd (bike lane) and then a right when you reach Hoodkroft Dr (bike lane). this brings you to E Broadway (Route 102). No cross-walk is located here and this is a busy rd, so head left along a narrow sidewalk until you come to Crescent St. Here a cross-walk will bring you over E Broadway to the Derry Fire Dept. at 1.9 miles. A paved trail runs around the right side of the FD, past the cell tower and out to S Main St (Route 28 Bypass). Take the cross-walk over S Main St and turn right along the paved trail which parallels the road. At 2.4 miles you turn left into Derry Village Elementary School. The trail then crosses right in front of the school and heads uphill through the woods and passes in front of West Running Brook School. The trail heads right, out the entrance, to a cross-walk over S Main St. Turn right and follow the paved trail to Fairway Dr. Head left down the paved trail. Just before the road takes a sharp left, the trail turns right into an apartment complex and changes to a hard packed surface before heading through a Pine stand. After crossing a wooden bridge you head up a short hill and come to the Alexander Carr Playground, located at the end of Pierce Ave, after 3.5 miles. A parking lot is located here. From the parking lot the paved trail head left through a Red Pine stand, past another playground, tennis courts and out to Birch St. A cross-light takes you over to Summit Ave where you start an on-road (residential) segment. From Summit Ave take a right on Berry St, then a left on Norton St/Hall Ave. This will bring you back to the Derry Rail Trail at 4.2 miles. Turn right and follow the rail trail back to Route 102 for a 4.7 mile loop.
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