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USGS
Topographic map of Woodsville
The trail begins at the southeast end of the old railroad bridge across the Connecticut River behind Clarkie's Market, a short distance northwest of the Woodsville Station.
The old railroad bridge across the Connecticut River is abandoned and hence totally unsafe for all trail users! However, when it is properly equipped with a solid deck and sturdy railings, this railroad bridge might become part of a connection to the proposed Cross Vermont Trail to Montpelier and Burlington VT, as well as to the Bayley-Hazen Military Road to Hazen's Notch northwest of Lowell, VT.
The adjacent Route 302 highway bridge was built in 1922. Note that the NH DOT plans to totally rehabilitate this historic bridge within the next few years. This work requires the construction of a temporary bridge between the two bridges, but current plans do not show any impact on the abandoned railroad bridge.
South across Connecticut River Railroad Bridge. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on October 8, 1997.
Side view of Connecticut River Railroad Bridge. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on October 8, 1997.
Route 302 bridge over the Connecticut River. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on October 8, 1997.
Looking across the Route 135 crossing at the former Woodsville Depot. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on May 1, 1999.
The trail then continues southwest past the Woodsville Depot, then descends sharply to cross Route 135 (Court Street). A public parking lot is just east of the Route 135 crossing of the trail. This crossing is also the best point to leave the trail to see the Haverhill--Bath Covered Bridge. Hikers, bikers, and equestrians can cross the Ammonoosic River on the recently completed Raymond Burton bridge (Route 135) to its north side, viewing the covered bridge enroute, then return over the covered bridge to the parking lot and the rail-trail. Note also that the Woodsville Opera Block is located just west of this crossing.
The trail then ascends a gentle ramp and passes a war memorial. Note that newly planted trees around the memorial have encroached on the trail thus forcing users to travel on the adjacent street. The trail then runs past the former Freight House (now used as a feed store), and shortly thereafter crosses two streets in quick succession. The proposed trail to Blackmount and Warren leaves just south of the second of these two crossings. The trail then ascends a gentle grade and slowly curves west behind the Ames store, passes through a rock cut then over a high embankment as it heads towards Bath.
Parking lot on Route 135 just east of the Rail-trail. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on October 12, 1999
The Woodsville Opera Block near the Route 135 crossing. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on October 12, 1999
Former Woodsville Freight House. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on May 1, 1999.
West across Railroad Overpass over Route 302. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on October 8, 1997.
Side view of Railroad Overpass over Route 302. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on October 8, 1997.
Note that sturdy wooden railings were added to the overpass of Route 302 just east of Woodsville in November 1998.
Groceries and snacks
are available at Clarkie's Market adjacent to the trail adjacent to the
Connecticut River Bridge. Toilets and water are presumably available in the
store upon request. Limited trail parking may be available on an informal basis
at the far corner of their parking lot.
Gasoline is available at a gas
station adjacent to the trail just northwest of the Woodsville Station. Toilets
are presumably available in the gas station upon request.
Public Parking
is available at the Route 135 intersection just east of the trail.
A variety of restaurants are located
across Route 302 from the trail beginning at the Connecticut River Bridge and
extending straight south of the trail junction across the street beyond the Ames Store.
Toilets
and water are presumably available upon request in each restaurant.
The post office is a short distance west of the Route 135 crossing.
The
library is a block west of the trail from the former
Railroad Freight House, following the signs to the former Senior Center.
Vermont
Transit [Table #1997] provides daily bus service at Wells
River VT, about 4 miles west of Woodsville via Route 302.
Vermont Transit accepts bicycles in boxes on a space available
basis. Note that Vermont Transit is a subsidiary of Greyhound Lines,
whose Official Web Site contains all Greyhound and
Vermont Transit schedules and fares in summary format.
Stagecoach
Transportation Services operates two round trips on
their River Route from downtown Wells
River (just across the Connecticut River) to White
River Junction VT on weekdays only. Trail users are strongly urged to inquire in advance
about their willingness to accommodate bikes and skis when the
wheelchair area of the bus is not otherwise in use.
The Lower Chohase Region Web Site provides
community information for the Connecticut River Valley towns of Haverhill,
Bradford, Piermont, and Newbury.
Listed on the National
Register of Historic Places:
Local Services DirectoryThe location map on this Web Page is a link to a map on the Mapblast Web Site which in turn contains a link to a Business Directory of the surrounding area.
The railroad junction adjacent to the
Vermont side of the abandoned railroad bridge over the Connecticut River is dangerous for
trail users, since the Northern Vermont Railroad (part of the Bangor &
Aroostook Railroad System) has just started to operate a through freight service
between Newport and White River Junction VT. [as of Nov. 2000]
Sign images are from the Manual of Traffic Signs by Richard C. Moeur.
Updated on February 27, 2001 by Kenyon F.
Karl <[email protected]>.
Unintentional errors are likely!
