New Hampshire mountain biking: 5 must-ride spots

New Hampshire offers everything a mountain biker can want to find. (Getty Images)

New Hampshire is well known for its beautiful mountain ranges, so it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of great mountain biking options to explore.

Whether you’re looking for traditional New England tech, extreme flow trails or the only lift-access mountain entirely dedicated to biking, you’ll find it in New Hampshire.

The wide variety of trails makes it a great place for beginners to experienced riders to grow their skills, and New England Mountain Biking Association (NEMBA) Chapters statewide work to ensure mountain bike trails across the state are ready to roll. With so many options, it can be hard to choose.

To make it easy, here are five mountain biking spots you should check out in New Hampshire this summer.

MORE MOUNTAIN BIKING GUIDES: Connecticut | Massachusetts | Rhode Island

Bear Brook State Park, Allenstown

Bear Brook State Park features over 60 miles of trails where riders of all abilities can have fun. Riders will find a mix of technical rocky trails and flow trails with plenty of dirt roads, double track, and singletrack to explore. The trail network is well connected, making it easier to put together fun riding loops.

Cool off after your ride with a swim at Beaver Pond, which includes a sandy beach area perfect for your post-ride dip. Turn your visit into a mountain bike vacation by staying in the park’s campground, which has direct access to the rails.

Franklin Falls Dam, Franklin

If you love flow trails, you need to check out Franklin Falls Dam. There you’ll find 10 miles of trails built specifically for mountain biking and maintained by Central N.H. NEMBA. The smooth, flowing singletrack allows beginners to explore at a relaxed pace and more advanced riders to increase the challenge by pushing their speed. Those looking for the fastest flow should check out “Moose Gully” or “Stump,” while more advanced bikers looking for a challenge should check out the tight turns and technical features on “Salmon Brook”.

“Might Chicken” is the must-ride trail at Franklin Falls, featuring a neutral half-pipe that ends with a holler-worthy series of drops and berms. Local riders say the trails at Franklin Falls are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

PRKR MTN, Littleton

Located on the summit of Parker Mountain in Littleton, PRKR MTN is a privately-owned trail system that boasts 24 miles of singletrack. The network includes a variety of beginner to advanced trail options and the further you get from town, the more technical the trails become. Once at the summit, advanced riders can test their skills on the two downhill-only trails on the mountain, “Wild card” and “Beginner’s Luck,” which feature flowing berms and fun drops.

Use the “Lookout Road,” “Saddle Up & Down,” or “Garder’s Trail” to check out impressive views at Linda’s Lookout, where you can get an unobstructed view of the northern Presidential Range. The School St. Parking Lot offers the best access to the trails and is just a short distance from the pump track where you can warm up before hitting the trails.

Keene Bike Park, Keene

Keene Bike Park is a family-oriented park built for riders of all ages to gain bike skills. Located at Wheelock Park in Keene, the bike park was made possible thanks to a partnership between Brattleboro-Keene NEMBA and the city of Keene. The park has two main areas, the pump track with a series of rollers and small jumps and the flow zone which includes a series of large jumps for more advanced riders to enjoy. The skills area includes a couple of smaller drop features, perfect for beginners and those new to drops.

The park is free for all to visit May-November but is closed on rainy days to prevent erosion. After checking out the bike park, put your sharpened skills to the test at one of Keene’s cross-country trail networks, Drummer Hill or Stonewall Farm.

Highland Mountain Bike Park, Northfield

Highland Mountain Bike Park touts itself as the world’s only lift-access mountain dedicated to biking. The downhill park was built with everyone from beginners to pros in mind and is a place where riders of all abilities can have fun while leveling up their skills. Warm up on the flowy “Freedom Trail” and practice riding berms before checking out fan favorite “Cat’s Paw,” which features a large variety of line choices, including optional drops and jumps. Highland is dedicated to training and offers lessons & camps for all skill levels. Their “Find Your Ride” program is designed for downhill beginners and includes a lift pass, an hour of instruction, and rental gear for $149.

An adult day pass costs $54 midweek & $68 on the weekends/holidays. Highland also offers an extensive cross-country trail network riders can check out for free, you just need to do all the work to pedal uphill. As you approach the parking lot, the trailhead is on the right-hand side of Ski Hill Drive.