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Lilac City Greenway and Rail Trail

3 ★★★☆☆ 2 Google reviews · Running trail in Rochester, New Hampshire · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
7.2 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Lilac City Greenway and Rail Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Lilac City Greenway and Rail Trail — running trail in Rochester, NH, photo 1
Lilac City Greenway and Rail Trail — running trail in Rochester, NH, photo 2
Lilac City Greenway and Rail Trail — running trail in Rochester, NH, photo 3
Lilac City Greenway and Rail Trail — running trail in Rochester, NH, photo 4
Lilac City Greenway and Rail Trail — running trail in Rochester, NH, photo 5
Mixed7.2 miTrailhead parking

What runners say about Lilac City Greenway and Rail Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (2 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“I've seen beautiful wildlife River otters and some beautiful birds”

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🛣️ Paved surface

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+)

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Plan your run at Lilac City Greenway and Rail Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • Distance7.2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Trail mapOfficial trail map
  • Websitetrailspotting.com
  • Social Facebook

Where to find Lilac City Greenway and Rail Trail

25 Lowell St, Rochester, NH 03867

Get directions

Running trails near Rochester

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Rochester Common

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under a mile away

Farmington Recreational Rail Trail

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William H. Champlain Jr. Forest Trailhead

4.3 ★★★★☆ 14 reviews

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Pickering Ponds Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 162 reviews

Rochester, NH

LoopScenicDog-friendly

Hiking area featuring trails around a series of 3 ponds with wildlife and a river.

2.8 miles away

The Gonic Trails

4.6 ★★★★★ 440 reviews

Rochester, NH

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Laid-back nature preserve featuring marked trails, plus waterfalls and a river.

3.2 miles away

Mast Point Dam Recreation Area

4.4 ★★★★☆ 52 reviews

Somersworth, NH

ScenicDog-friendly

Peaceful outdoor spot featuring hiking trails, fishing, kayaking, and picnic tables.

3.7 miles away

All running trails in Rochester, NH →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.