The trail follows a former railroad bed through much of the City and provides public access to protected greenways along the Cochecho and Bellamy Rivers. The trail offers a variety of different surface types for various recreational uses throughout the year.
The paved in-town section of the trail provides a pedestrian and bicycle friendly alternative route near downtown Dover’s mixed use core including crossing the Cochecho River via a trestle bridge. The rural extensions of the trail runs along the Cochecho River northerly from Fourth Street area to Watson Road, crossing under the Spaulding Turnpike and provides opportunities for bicycling, hiking, bird watching, and fishing.
Starting at the northernmost point on Watson Street, 1.72 mile off-road portion of the trail runs south along the Cochecho and underneath the Spaulding Turnpike to Whittier Street. From Whittier Street, the trail continues another 0.68 miles past Beckwith Park to the downtown, where it terminates right before Fourth Street. A segment of the trail is expected to be constructed in 2019, and will formally connect the rural section to Fourth Street (Rotary trailhead).
You may use the city sidewalks to reach Chestnut Street, where you can access the remaining 0.76 miles of the trail from the Transportation Center Parking lot. Look for train tracks/crossings as there are no signs to help with navigation. The Transportation Center trailhead offers ample parking and is within walking distance of downtown restaurants and shops. From the Rotary trailhead, this paved section continue south over a wooden bridge with a scenic view of the Cochecho River. At the intersection of Washington Street, the trail continues across on Scenic Drive, south past Silver Street through quiet and shaded residential neighborhoods until it terminates at Fisher Street.
Along the route, make sure to follow trail signs to stay on course.
Opening in 2019 are further connections from Fisher Street to the corner of Central Avenue and Rutland Street, and from Fourth Street to the Beckwith Ball Fields.
Trail Use Hours:
• The section between Dover Transportation Center and Washington Street is open during train and bus service
• The remaining sections of the trail are open:
April 1 - to September 30 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
October 1 - to March 31 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Trail user Information:
• Keep dogs leashed at all times
• Out of respect to your trail system, please carry in - carry out all trash and clean up dog waste.
• Please respect adjoining landowners and stay within trail boundaries.
• No possession or use of alcoholic beverages
• No Motorized vehicles except for wheelchairs
• No fishing from Bridge
• No fires, fireworks, or camping
• Bicyclists please yield to pedestrians.
• The Trail is a City of Dover linear park and all City Park rules apply
To reach the Dover Transportation Center (Rotary Club trailhead) from the intersection of US 202 and NH 16/Spaulding Turnpike in Rochester, head south on SR 16 to Exit 8E for downtown Dover, and follow W. Knox Marsh Road 0.3 mile to a traffic circle. Enter the traffic circle, take the first exit onto Silver Street/NH 9, and go 0.1 miles and make a left turn onto Arch Street. Follow the street for 0.2 miles, and turn right onto Washington Street. In 0.3 miles, turn left onto Chestnut Street. In about 0.2 miles, the entrance to the Transportation Center will be on your left. The trailhead and access to the trail are located in the back of the parking area adjacent to the Cochecho River.
To reach the Watson Road trailhead from the intersection of US 202 and SR 16/Spaulding Turnpike in Rochester, head south on SR 16 to Exit 9 toward SR 9/SR 108/Dover/-Somersworth. Turn left onto Indian Brook Drive (signs for Sixth Street), and go 0.5 miles. Turn right onto Sixth Street. After 0.8 miles, turn left onto County Farm Road, go 0.2 miles, and then turn left onto Watson Road. Follow for about 0.2 miles, and the trailhead parking lot will be on your left.
There are additional access point along the trail at Washington Street, Silver Street, Fisher Street, with no off-street parking available.
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