Rail Trail Review: Rockingham Recreational Path

The Rockingham Recreational Path is a 26-mile trail that stretches from Lake Massabesic in Manchester, NH to Newfields, NH (near Newmarket/Exeter/Great Bay). It is part of a network of trails well maintained by various local snowmobile clubs and follows a railbed of the former Boston and Maine Railroad.
Expectations for this trail were very high and it initially appeared to be up to the hype. Access to the trailhead is easy, Lake Massabesic is GORGEOUS, and the trail dives into the woods on a fast gravel-ish path. Unfortunately, the experience soon degraded. The path turns into a typical forest road with a lot of rocks and stones.
I was on 40c tires and struggling. I crossed paths with a guy on a cross bike with 32c tires and he was absolutely hating life. On the one hand I wanted to see this adventure through. On the other hand, I risked a 6–8 hour round-trip at best and damaged wheel(s) at worst. I begrudgingly turned around at mile 6 and headed back to the car.
I hated giving up and felt shame coming back on the road. I am normally a good map reader, but I kept missing turns to get back in the woods. The sun was getting hot. The hills were getting steep. I thought I was a doomed for sure when all of the sudden I came across the Auburn Tavern! Salvation! A little beer and a pretty good burger and I was good as new. While not exactly a destination in itself, I highly recommend the AT if you are road biking or, more likely, motorcycling in the area.
Mountain bikers looking for a long cross-country adventure would enjoy the Rockinham Recreational Path. However, even with the right equipment, the trail lacks enough interesting scenery to make it worth slogging out the full 52 miles out-and-back. One final note: Lake Massabesic is a public water supply and there is NO SWIMMING!!! Insult to injury! You can’t even jump in after all that effort on the trail.
Grades:
- C- for mountain bikers
- F for roadies/hybrids
- B for snowmobiles