Bike Trails in the White Mountains of New Hampshire
February 17,2022 - By: D. Chandler -
There a wealth of biking opportunities throughout the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Experience the majestic mountains of the White Mountain National Forest on your bike.
The White Mountains is the perfect place for road cycling, mountain biking, e-biking and fat tire biking. Communities around the area have designated areas for off-road biking in state parks, land conservation areas, rail trails and private parks.
Enjoy biking in the White Mountains region and explore the many opportunities available.
Mountain Biking / Fat Tire Biking
The White Mountains has many areas to mountain bike. The region offers easy trails and more aggressive trails meeting all skill levels. We will highlight some of them here.
North Conway Mountain Bike & E-Bike Trails
North Conway is the center of activities in the White Mountains and this is true for the mountain biking communities as well. There are several bike shops in North Conway offering rentals, gear, bikes and service.
As far as riding spots in North Conway, here some the top spots.
Black Cap Trail
This trail is a 1.2-mile trek rated at difficult as the trail traverses to the summit of Black Cap Mountain. The trail is a single track with great views of the mountains. The trail is challenging and technical trail with a continuous climb at an elevation gain of 631 feet. The average grade is 6 degrees with a maximum grade of 12 degrees.
The parking area for the Black Cap Trail is located off Hurricane Mountain Road. This road is closed during the winter months.
Bikes are not allowed on the summit and the bike trail ends shortly before the summit.
Green Hills Preserve / Pudding Pond
This eastside trail system has a variety of mountain bike, e-bike and fat tire bike trails. There are several trails with various difficulty.
See Mountain Bike Trails in North Conway for More Information
Whitaker Woods
Whittaker Woods is a town park located near the downtown village of North Conway. This trail system is a multi-use park which is popular with walkers, runners, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and biking. The park has 9 miles of easy to intermediate trails. This spot is handy to many hotels, vacation rentals and other amenities of downtown North Conway.
Cranmore Mountain Bike Park
Cranmore Mountain Bike Park is located at Cranmore Mountain. This commercial park includes lift-serviced downhill mountain biking. Their facility includes bike rentals, repair shop and a variety of terrain for all skill levels. Trails offer easy going smooth flow trails or single-track technically challenging trails. They also offer lessons for small groups and families.
For more information see their website
Cranmore Mountain Bike Park
1 Skimobile Road
North Conway, NH 03860
1-800-SUN-N-SKI
https://www.cranmore.com/Things-to-Do/Summer-Activities/Bike-Park
Mountain Bike Rentals (North Conway)
Red Jersey Cyclery
2749 White Mountain Hwy
North Conway, NH 03860
https://www.redjerseycyclery.com/
Bob & Terry's Ski & Bike
2420 White Mountain Hwy
North Conway, NH 03860
Sun & Ski Sports
2709 White Mountain Hwy
North Conway, NH 03860
https://www.sunandski.com/north-conway
Gorham Bike & Ski
1881 White Mountain Hwy
North Conway, NH 03860
Gorham Mountain & E-Bike Trails
Gorham New Hampshire is located in the northeastern portion of the White Mountains. This quaint village is popular with hiking, whitewater rafting, ATVing, skiing, motorcycling and biking. There are many trails around Gorham including the Presidential Rail Trail, Moose Brook State Park and a network of trails on town land south of the village.
Moose Brook State Park
This park is located within the town limits of Gorham. The park is a multi-use park for walking, hiking and biking. In conjunction with the Coos Cycling Club (CCC), this area is rich with over 22 miles of biking trails. This trail network includes both single track and double track trails at difficulty rating from easy to difficult.
Also, if you are interested in biking year-round and possibly some glamping accommodations near the trailhead. Check out HubNorth.
http://hubnorthnh.com/adventures/
Town Forest Loop Trail
This 0.9 mile intermediate trail is located off Jimtown Road. This trailhead is at the end of Jimtown Road just up the road from Moose Brook State Park.
Power Island Loop Trail
This trail is a 3.0 mile network of trails on the small island surrounded by the Androscoggin River. The trailhead is located just off Route 16 intown Gorham. There is a small parking lot at the base of the green railroad trestle. These trails are easy in a unique part of Gorham with views of the river and forest.
Presidential Rail Trail
This trail is a beautiful multi-use trail spanning east and west from Gorham to Cherry Pond. The trail is 18-miles with many scenic spots along the way. The trail is a retired railroad bed so the grade is nominal with views of scenic forests, bogs, mountain streams, views of surrounding mountains, wildflowers and wildlife. This trail is used by walkers, runners, mountain bikers, bird watchers, fat tire bikers and nature enthusiast. During the winter months, this trail is utilized by snowmobilers.
There are seven parking spots along the trail. For more information and trail map see the Friends of the Presidential Rail Trail.
https://friendsofthepresidentialrailtrail.org/trail-map/
Bike Rentals (Gorham)
Northeast E-Bike Rentals
177 Main St
Gorham, NH 03581
https://northeastsnowmobile.com/electric-bikes-fleet/
Bike Shops (Gorham)
Crooker Cycle Sports
240 Glen Ave
Berlin, NH 03570
https://www.facebook.com/Crooker-Cycle-Sports-104422107010744/
Franconia / Lincoln Mountain & E-Bike Trails
Franconia and the Lincoln areas are some of the prettiest spots in the White Mountains with dramatic mountains, Flume Gorge, The Basin and the surrounding scenery. Within this area, we have the Franconia Notch Bike Path. This is a popular trail to explore the Franconia Notch State Park and area attractions.
Franconia Notch Bike Path (AKA Pemi Trail)
This trail is a 20 mile paved trail runs along side US93 (Franconia Notch Parkway) from the Franconia to Lincoln. Along the trail, you can stop and explore Flume Gorge, The Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site, Profile Lake, Boise Rock, The Basin, Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway and Echo Lake Beach.
The bike path is free to use. Some attractions along the way charge an admission fee such as The Flume Gorge, Aerial Tramway and Echo Lake Beach.
Littleton Mountain & E-Bike Trails
Littleton is the quintessential New England town with a diverse main street, the Ammonoosuc River running through it, covered foot bridge and a mountain bike trail network around Parker Mountains.
PRKR MTN (Parker Mountain)
This trail network is located around or on Parker Mountain (2000-foot elevation). It consists of 24-miles of single track and doubletrack trails. The trail crews are working to expand the mileage of the trail system so this trail network will continuously grow.
Bike Rentals & Repair Shop (Littleton)
Littleton Bike & Fitness
30 Cottage St
Littleton, NH 03561
(603) 444-3437
https://www.littletonbike.com/
Road Cycling
The White Mountains of New Hampshire is a great place for road cycling. During the summer months, you will find many road cyclists exploring the region on major throughfares. Route 2 in Shelburne to Lancaster, Route 16 from North Conway to Gorham, Route 302 from North Conway to Littleton and the Kancamagus Highway (NH Route 112) from Conway to Lincoln are the most popular routes in the White Mountains.
Beyond these major routes there are less traveled roads such as Bear Notch Road in Bartlett, Route 115 in Jefferson, Route 116 in Jefferson and Route 112 from Lincoln to Bath. In addition, there is the new Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail.
Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail
This recently created trail spans from Woodsville, NH to Bethel, ME. The route is 83 miles one way with a difficulty rating of moderate. The trail passes through many towns in the upper White Mountains and upper Connecticut Valley. Spectacular views, wildlife, mountain brooks & streams, classic New England homes and the stunning beauty of the White Mountain National Forest abounds.
Starting in Woodsville New Hampshire, the trail continues along the Ammonoosuc River toward Bath New Hampshire. In Bath there is the Bath Covered Bridge. This bridge is just off Route 302 over the Connecticut River dividing New Hampshire from Vermont. Also, the Brick Store General Store which has many unique items and a fresh fudge bar. Try the peanut butter and jelly fudge.
Continuing east on Route 302 towards Lisbon and Littleton. This span of the trail is a ideal country setting with many wild flowers in the spring and summer, small farms and farm land with the backdrop of the mountains. The trail parallels the Ammonoosuc River through Littleton and beyond.
After Littleton the trails turns toward Whitefield. In Whitefield the trail continues on Route 116 for a short distance and then south on Hazen Road where you will find the trailhead for the west entrance to the Presidential Rail Trail.
Once on the Presidential Rail Trail you will pass through Jefferson, Randolph and the center of Gorham. Gorham is good place for hotels, restaurants and other services. From Gorham, the trail crosses the Androscoggin River and you hit Hogan Road. Hogan Road is a limited traveled road on the northern side of the Androscoggin River. Hogan Road runs along side of the Androscoggin River and you will see some beautiful spots with views of the northern White Mountains including Mt. Moriah and Mount Washington.
Hogan Road will end in Shelburne New Hampshire and you will continue on North Road east towards Bethel. North Road will continue for several miles continuing to follow the Androscoggin River all the way into Bethel Maine.
The trail is a picturesque ride through many communities and beautiful spot in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The trail is a collection of dirt roads, rail trails, bike paths and quiet paved backroads creating a complete traverse across New Hampshire for Vermont to Maine. You find many spots along the way to take pictures or videos of the rivers, streams, mountains and more.
Are Electric Bikes permitted on New Hampshire Bike Trails?
Electric bikes has been becoming more popular in recent years. Whether pedal assist only e-bikes or throttled e-bike, they are bringing many new people into the biking sport.
Yes, electric bikes are permitted on New Hampshire bike trails. The electric bike must have pedals, have an electric motor under 750 watts and a cycle whose speed in one mile is less than 20 MPH. All standard bike rules apply to electric bike riders. For more information see House Bill 148.
Regarding New Hampshire State Parks, there may be areas in New Hampshire State Parks that do not allow electric bikes on certain foot trails. Check with the state park for more information.
As you can see, there are a number of biking opportunities in New Hampshire for new and experienced riders. Explore the many trail systems and networks for you next ride in New Hampshire.
Also See Mountain Bike Trails in North Conway
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