Ashuelot Rail Trail

Given its covered bridges, historical aura and abundant wildlife, the Ashuelot Rail-Trail (a.k.a. Ashuelot River Trail) has plenty to offer. The 21.2-mile route follows the corridor of the Ashuelot Railroad, which operated from 1851 to 1983, fostering the development of textile mills, wooden box factories and leather tanneries in the region. Watch for the original granite mile markers, which pop up periodically along the trail.

From the trailhead on Emerald Street near Keene State College, you'll head south, tracing the Ashuelot River. Five miles of trail from Route 101 in Keene to Pine Street in West Swanzey has been improved with a stone dust surface. South of Pine Street the trail surface is packed cinder, ballast and dirt that takes a pounding under heavy rains, which give rise to sandy, muddy and even flooded trail sections. Surface improvements for the remainder of the trail in Swanzey are planned for the summer and fall of 2014.