Portsmouth Branch Rail-Trail
Fremont Branch Rail-Trail

Epping

Hiking Trail Bicycle Trail Cross-Country Skiing Snowmobiling Horse Trail

  Bureau of Trails
Division of Parks & Recreation

NH Dept. of Resources & Econ. Dev.
PO Box 1856, Concord, NH 03302-1856
Phone 603-271-3254 - FAX 603-271-2629
 
Local coordination provided by:
Rockingham Recreational Trail Association,
Chair, Eathan Howard,
C/O Manchester Water Works,
1581 Lake Shore Rd, Manchester NH 03109
Phone: 603-624-6482

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The unsigned trail junction at Epping is located in front of a fenced Propane Gas yard located on the west side of Main Street, a town road just west of the Route 125 crossing. The Portsmouth Branch Trail runs straight west on the railroad bed that parallels the north fence of that yard. It also crosses Main Street and Route 125 to run straight east.

The Fremont Branch Trail runs southwest on the railroad bed parallel to the southeast fence of that yard and continues about a half-mile to a highway fence at the edge of Route 101. The trail continues southwest on the railroad bed from the opposite highway fence.

A permanent trail detour leaves the railroad bed at the highway fence and runs about an eighth of a mile west along the fence to a tunnel that passes under Route 101, returning to the railroad bed along the fence on the other side. Note that the grades on this permanent trail detour may not be ADA compliant!

Route 101 interrupts the Fremont Branch railbed. Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on August 5, 1998.

Trail underpass for Fremont Branch Rail-trail. Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on August 5, 1998.

Motorists will certainly notice the granite railroad bridge abutments that march across Route 27 and the Lamprey River parallel to Route 125 a short distance north of the rail-trail. These abutments are instead part of a 15.8 mile railroad abandonment in 1935 between Epping and West Gonic that has since largely been absorbed into the present Route 125. [Abandonment information from the "Directory of Rail Abandonments 1848-1994" in the book by Ronald Dale Karr Lost Railroads of New England, 2nd Ed., published by Branch Line Press in 1996.]    

Bicycle CrossingPedestrian CrossingEquestrians AheadSnowmobiles Ahead The Route 125 crossing a short distance east of the site of the Epping Depot is particularly hazardous due to very heavy traffic. Long delays must be expected while waiting for an opening in traffic, and bikers must consider walking their bikes across this highway!

Parking Very limited parking is available on the site of the Epping Depot.

FoodToiletsDrinking Water A traditional restaurant is located just east of the Epping Depot. This restaurant is currently closed on Sunday. Toilets and water are presumably available upon request whenever the restaurant is open.

A gas station is located across the trail from the restaurant.

Picnic Area Outdoor picnic tables are at the ice cream stand on Route 125 just beyond the gas station.

FoodToiletsDrinking Water GasolineGroceries A McDonalds is located on Route 125 just north of the Route 101 interchange, a quarter-mile south of the trail junction at Epping Depot. Toilets and water are presumably available upon request whenever the restaurant is open. A gas station and convenience store is adjacent to McDonalds on Route 125.

Note that a sports center has recently been built between the Fremont Branch Trail and the back end of the McDonalds restaurant, which may prohibit access to the restaurant directly from that trail. 

Bicycle Route The Statewide Bicycle Route System turns from Rte 27 north onto Main St, about 0.4 miles north via Main St. from Epping Station.

Point of Interest Listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

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South of Epping on Fremont Trail

FoodToiletsDrinking Water Picnic Area The unmarked 'Burger King Trail' begins near the south side of Route 101 on the Fremont Branch Trail, then rises steeply about 10 feet to pass a sky-high Burger King sign. It then follows a curving but level service road to a gate behind the raised outdoor picnic area at the rear of Burger King, just southwest of the Route 101 interchange on Route 28. Toilets and water are presumably available upon request inside the Burger King Restaurant. This trail may be owned and maintained by Burger King primarily as a service road to their sky-high sign.

GasolineGroceries A gas station and convenience store is located just north of the Burger King, and reachable from the end of the 'Burger King Trail' by walking on the grass behind the intermediate building.

Parking The huge Park & Ride lot southeast of the Route 101 interchange on Route 28 offers ample long-term parking space for trail users. However, the driver may wish first to drop off riders and equipment on the loop road that surrounds the raised picnic area near the beginning of the 'Burger King Trail'. Note that the grassy area surrounding the building just south of the gas station allows the driver to walk along the north edge of that building and then between the stones to reach the east end of the 'Burger King Trail'.

Bus Stop The Coach Company offers commuter bus service on weekday rush-direction only from the bus shelter at the back of the Park & Ride Lot to downtown Boston.


Portsmouth Branch Rail-Trail

West Epping

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The site of the West Epping Depot is occupied by a small concrete building that houses the electronics equipment required by the fibre optic telephone cable that is buried in the right of way.

Bicycle Route The Statewide Bicycle Route System parallels the rail-trail on Route 27, about 0.6 mile northwest of the West Epping Depot.

No other trail facilities were observed in this vicinity!


Sign images are from the Manual of Traffic Signs, by Richard C. Moeur.

Updated on February 22, 2001 by Kenyon F. Karl <[email protected]>.
Unintentional errors are likely!

Click for Epping, New Hampshire Forecast

Information Center The Epping Rail-Trail page has more information about the Rail-trail in and around Epping.

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