Home › New Hampshire › Lebanon › Northern Rail Trail, Trail Head
Northern Rail Trail, Trail Head
4.7 ★★★★★ 86 Google reviews · Running trail in Lebanon, New Hampshire · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 17 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Northern Rail Trail, Trail Head'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.
What runners say about Northern Rail Trail, Trail Head
“The trail was very clean and was mostly a combination of paved and gravel/small rocks.”
“Lovely trail, Very well maintained, dog friendly, and beautiful scenery.”
This 23 mile rail-to-trail path is very good, and is on par with many of the others that I have done in DC, Maryland, and PA (with the only exception being the amazing rail-to-trail Segment beginning at the Maryland border and proceeding north to Freetown, PA).
I’m visiting Vermont from out of town and needed a place to do a 17 mile run. I was so happy to find this place. Parking was right there next to the trail sign. I ran on a Friday morning and mostly had the trail to myself. I loved the dressed up scarecrows along the way. I ran by two beautiful lakes.
Maintained really well. Great for walking, jogging and biking. Really beautiful. Pretty much flat all the way from the trail head to Mascoma lake. Family and pet friendly. Gets a little buggy on humid summer days.
I walked the trail from Lebanon to Canaan in a day for a virtual half marathon in March 2020. The trail was icy, but had amazing views as usual. Despite the spring ice, the trail is great during all seasons.
Trail conditions & character
“Lovely trail, Very well maintained, dog friendly, and beautiful scenery.”
“From the actual trailhead in Lebanon (with free parking in designated spaces), the trail is paved asphalt for about 0.”
“From the actual trailhead in Lebanon (with free parking in designated spaces), the trail is paved asphalt for about 0.”
“The trail was very clean and was mostly a combination of paved and gravel/small rocks.”
“Lovely trail, Very well maintained, dog friendly, and beautiful scenery.”
“I’m visiting Vermont from out of town and needed a place to do a 17 mile run.”
“It's nice to take a break and enjoy the solitude and peaceful atmosphere only mother nature can provide.”
“Really flat, paved for some of the way, accessible, and not too many intersections.”
“I luckily stumbled upon a coffee shop for a bathroom break about 6.”
Plan your run at Northern Rail Trail, Trail Head
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
- Distance17 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, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitefnrt.org
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Lebanon
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Colburn Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 434 reviews
Town park with a bandstand & lawn seating featuring seasonal events from concerts to movie nights.
Northern Rail Trail Access
4.8 ★★★★★ 77 reviews
Hard-packed rail trail for walking, cycling and cross-country skiing.
Boston Lot
4.5 ★★★★★ 86 reviews
Park with peaceful, kid-friendly hiking trails, a lake, and views.
White River Junction Community Garden
4.2 ★★★★☆ 22 reviews