As you walk or bike the Derry Rail Trail, you may notice a heron in the wetlands, or a duck or beaver making ripples on the water. A turtle might share your path. Start from the Derry end and you’ll pass over the area known as Lover’s Leap, depicted in many vintage postcards. In the spring, summer and fall, you can bike or walk under a canopy of trees near wetlands and wildlife, past outcrops of granite, yet you’ll be on pavement the entire time - for miles! In the winter the trail and surroundings can make for a winter white path over which you can ski, snowshoe or even bike - with the right tires! It’s an enjoyable and healthy way to spend part of your day and unlike any experience you’ll get from the street or even sidewalk. There are benches along the trail maintained by a local veteran for resting. And, all of this directly accessible from Derry’s downtown area, where there is plenty of free parking along the trail.
The Derry Rail Trail is part of the former Boston & Maine Railroad and is part of the Granite State Rail Trail. The goal is to connect the Derry trail to the Londonderry trail, (providing nearly 12 mi of trail through 3 towns). Ultimately, the trail will provide a 120 mile scenic journey through NH. Help make this amazing project a reality: support.
Trail Tips and Rules
The Derry Rail Trail Alliance was officially registered with the State of New Hampshire on October 31, 2007 as a non-profit organization for the purpose of completing the rail trail on the former Manchester and Lawrence branch line of the Boston and Maine rail bed through Derry.
If you are interested in taking an active role in the success of the Derry Rail Trail Alliance, please contact:
There are three parking lots, all free, located along the trail. If you are unfamiliar with the trail, simply click the parking icon on the map to get specific directions from your location.
A: Hood Park Lot, Derry, NH. From this lot next to Hood Park, take the trail down Courthouse Lane and Manning Street and cross at East Broadway (102) to Merchant’s row. You'll find the trail continuing at the end of Merchants' row.
B: Abbott Court Lot, Derry, NH. This large parking lot (pictured above) is just off of West Broadway in Derry. To access the trail, walkers, take the covered stairway from the the path (to the left of blue sign). Bicyclists can simply go up Abbott Court and take a right to Merchants' Row.
C: Windham Depot Lot, Windham, NH. This lot is at the Windham end of the trail, at the intersection of Frost and Depot Road, right adjacent to the trail.
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The board of DRTA is well aware of this and we will be adding reflective sleeves to the gates prior to winter. Thank you for your input - enjoy the trail!
Mark Connors
President, DRTA