If you’re looking to mountain bike New England, the New Hampshire seacoast area offers an exhilarating experience that will leave you craving more. All rides are relatively low elevation, with most trails peaking around 600 feet, so coming from Utah, we feel like heroes here. The contrast in elevation becomes a refreshing change, but don’t let that fool you—this region has its fair share of challenges.
As you traverse the trails, encountering rocks and wet roots, there are moments when even the most experienced riders find themselves dismounting and walking certain sections. It’s a humbling reminder that nature can still test our skills. The trails in this area often have a distinct hand-built feel, incorporating natural features such as slabs, drops, and roots. This unique blend creates an exciting and dynamic riding environment.
Maintaining speed on the uphill and flat sections can be quite a challenge due to the abundance of obstacles. Choosing the right line becomes crucial in keeping the bike rolling smoothly. It’s akin to navigating a pump track, where pumping through rock gardens becomes a skill in itself. But fear not, because these trails have been designed with great attention to detail. Trail builders have utilized the natural terrain to its fullest potential, crafting a network of trails that offer a delightful experience for riders.
While staying in the Portsmouth area, we’ve had the opportunity to explore several trail systems within an hour’s drive. Admittedly, the options may not be as abundant as in other regions, but there is something fun everywhere we went.
Fort Rock
Located just outside of Exeter, Fort Rock is a mountain biking haven that offers a perfect blend of technical challenges and exciting features. During our rides here, we experienced a range of elevations, from 15 feet below sea level to around 215 feet above. While the climbs may not be extensive, the short and punchy ascents added an extra element of intensity to our rides.
On our first adventure, we parked at the Watson Parking lot and set off toward Olive Branch. Along the way, we discovered an incredibly steep roller and enjoyed the flowing sections of Sting Ring and Barnyard. However, the highlight for me was the Mug Club—a thrilling little section that starts with a roller and leads into a corner, propelling you off a drop of around 3 feet.
A few weeks later, we returned for a quick ride before the rain arrived, this time parking at Hamberger Hill. We embarked on a loop that included several black technical trails before venturing through the tunnel to the other side. However, my attention was soon captured by Camel Humps—a short but exhilarating trail that offered multiple line options and allowed for quick laps. As I climbed back up, I couldn’t resist trying out a sweet steep loamy roller just to the right of the trail.
The trail system at Fort Rock is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the trail crews. They have created an incredibly fun and engaging riding experience. For anyone visiting the area, I highly recommend taking the time to explore these trails. However, be prepared for the occasional challenge of navigating through the network of trails, as the abundance of turns can sometimes lead to unintentional detours.
Stratham Hill Park
Located just a short distance from the seacoast and a mere five minutes from where we were staying this easy-going and family-friendly area became our first mountain biking destination upon landing in New Hampshire. Excited to hit the trails, we brought along a friend who was relatively new to mountain biking, and this spot proved to be perfect for their skill level.
The green trails in this area are pleasantly wide and straightforward to navigate, offering a comfortable riding experience. However, we did stumble upon the Dead Fish trail at one point, which, despite being relatively flat, presented a rocky terrain with tight corners that required careful maneuvering. On our way back to the car, I noticed Ruptured Lung on the map—the only black trail in the area. Although short and wide, it boasted a few natural features to launch from and offered the most significant vertical descent, a whopping 111 feet. Curiosity piqued, I even ended up riding it on my road bike, realizing firsthand that mountain bikes truly excel in mountainous terrain, while road bikes are better suited for the open road.
Later on, we discovered that there was a hidden gem we had missed—a pump track. After a few days of riding, we returned to this area to hone our skills. The pump track proved to be a delightful spot, featuring jumps and drops. We were amazed to witness the prowess of several young kids who were absolutely crushing it on the track, effortlessly making lap after lap. Their fluidity and ease made it appear effortless. However, after just 20 minutes of riding, we found ourselves thoroughly exhausted. It was a stark reminder that practice is key when aiming to become a better rider.
White Lanes Trails
If the trails were flatter, water would fall off the sides of the earth. Located in Hampton, about a mile from the coast, this place seemed interesting. I liked its proximity to us, and since we were short on time, we decided to give it a try. The parking area is in front of someone’s house on a dirt road. It may look weird, but trust me, you’re in the right spot. Most of the climbing we did here involved getting up and over features. The trail crew did a good job of creating enjoyable rock features, including a few rollers and even a teeter-totter.
We made our way to the back end, where the expert trail was located. We discovered a few technical sections and one steep rock roll. It was fun to explore and pedal around for the day. On our way back to the car, I remembered seeing a pump track on the map. We found it, but it seemed to be in rough shape. The best part was a root drop to a step-up with a small double jump after it. I kept doing laps on that for a while; it was a good way to end the ride.
Drinks and Eats Galore
In and around Portsmouth there is plenty of choices to fill that never ending hunger feeling. Theres too many to list. We got a few pretzels, beers and other good food all over. While visiting grab some lobster. Its pretty dang good up here and fresh as can be.
Portsmouth Brewery, WHYM, Smuttynose, Throwback, Decidous and Cafe Mediterraneo were some good places to check out. Oh and don’t for get good ol Dunkin Donuts for some caffeine.
For breakfast we checked out all the bagel places we could find. Ani’s Bagel cafe, Best Bagel II, and Rollyholers.
Extras
Papa Wheelies Bike Shop Great selection of bikes and gear. Great staff that has helped us out a lot in a quick and timely manner.
Hampton Beach. Theres something to do here for everyone. Great place to take a day off from the bike. Get some food, hang out in the sun get sand in your toes.
NEMBA for more info on trails, work, and the mountain bike community
