Ashuelot Rail Trail

We started a trip to Winchester on the Ashuelot Trail in Keene near the southern part of Keene near Winchester St. and Rt. 101. Take Rt. 101 to Winchester Street in Keene. A short distance along Winchester St. there is a shopping center to the right. The Ashuelot Trail goes along the east side of the shopping center. The trail goes further north in Keene to near the center of the city, but this seemed to be a good place to start.

Going south a short distance the trail crosses Rt. 101 which is an extremely dangerous high speed road to cross. It is better to go right less that a quarter mile to Winchester Street and cross at a traffic light.

The trail surface varies greatly; sometimes packed dirt, sometimes sandy and soft, sometimes grass surface. Mountain bikes are needed. It goes in the Ashuelot River Valley all the way. Between Keene and Winchester the trail is not very pretty. Here the river is slow moving and there are not many close views. By far the best scenery and trail surface is between Winchester and Hinsdale.

Next picture.