Nashua Heritage Rail Trail, New Hampshire
Outdoor rail parkFreePublic city trail; no posted hours
The Nashua Heritage Rail Trail follows the 1848 Worcester & Nashua Railroad corridor, later the Boston & Maine's Hollis Branch, as a paved walking and biking path through the city's historic neighborhoods.
- Built on an 1848 railroad corridor
- Western section finished in 1999
- Flat and paved
- Free to use
- Links to Mine Falls Park trails
Nashua Heritage Rail Trail at a glance
- Hours
- Public city trail; no hours posted
- Admission
- Free
- Plan for
- About 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Best for
- Families with strollers, walkers and cyclists
- Best ages
- All ages
- Accessibility
- Flat, paved surface described as accessible by trail guides
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Nashua Heritage Rail Trail? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Nashua.
Rally Takes the Train
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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
From the Worcester & Nashua line to a neighborhood path
The trail runs along a corridor that began in 1848 as the Worcester & Nashua Railroad, linking the two cities, and later became the Hollis Branch of the Boston & Maine. Once the trains were gone, the City of Nashua saw a way to give its busiest neighborhoods a safe route for walking and biking away from crowded East and West Hollis Streets.
A federal grant in 1993 paid to buy land and build the Heritage Rail Trail West, from City Hall to Simon Street, which was finished in 1999. More grants in 2005 and 2009 bought the corridor east of Main Street, and in 2017 the city won federal air quality funding to design the Heritage Rail Trail East, extending the path along East Hollis Street from Main Street to Denton Street, near a planned rail station at 25 Crown Street. Construction was planned for 2022; check with the city for the current status of the eastern section.
What you will find along the way
Expect a flat, paved urban path that trail guides measure at about 1.3 miles, passing mill-era neighborhoods near City Hall, with trees along the western end and connections to the larger Mine Falls Park trail system. The city does not list railroad exhibits, signs or equipment along the trail online, so think of it as a chance to walk a historic rail line rather than a museum visit.
Don’t miss
- The western sectionThe original 1999 stretch from City Hall to Simon Street is the tree-lined end of the trail.
- Mine Falls Park connectionThe rail trail links to Mine Falls Park's trails for a longer outing.
Stroller and bike friendly
Because the path is flat and paved, it suits strollers, scooters and kids on bikes, and it is free. There is no train to ride or equipment to climb, so train-loving kids may enjoy hearing that trains once ran right where they are walking. Pair it with Mine Falls Park for more room to explore.
Plan your visit: tips for Nashua Heritage Rail Trail
- Start near City Hall at 229 Main Street for the western section.
- Combine the trail with Mine Falls Park for a longer walk or ride.
- Check with the city engineering office about the eastern section before planning a full route.
A city project
The City of Nashua built and manages the trail through its Community Development and engineering offices, using federal grants and local funds. Residents can join the project email list through the city's engineering contact to stay informed about the eastern section.
More rail history within an easy drive
Across the Massachusetts line, the Lowell National Historical Park trolley exhibits are about 11 miles away. The Contoocook Railroad Museum, with its historic depot and covered railroad bridge, is about 34 miles north. For the full list, see New Hampshire's train museums and rail sites.
- Lowell National Historical Park trolley exhibitsLowell, MA · about 11 mi
- Boston & Maine Railroad Historical SocietyMassachusetts, MA · about 12 mi
- Boston Street Railway Association historic collectionBoston area, MA · about 34 mi
- Contoocook Railroad MuseumContoocook, NH · about 34 mi
- New England Southern Railroad historical collectionsNew Hampshire, NH · about 40 mi
- Portsmouth Historical Society railroad exhibitsPortsmouth, NH · about 42 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
A rail trail is a train's path without the train, and I love imagining what it felt like when engines rolled through here. In our book, Rally's train dives into a dark tunnel and bursts out into a big bright light while everyone cheers. A stroll under the trees on a former rail line can have that same little surprise when the path opens up. You can read where Rally's story came from on our story page.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in New Hampshire: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in New Hampshire
- Halloween train rides in New Hampshire
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Nashua Heritage Rail Trail?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Nashua Heritage Rail Trail: 20 questions answered
What is the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail?
The Nashua Heritage Rail Trail is a paved walking and biking path built on a former railroad corridor in downtown Nashua, New Hampshire. The city started the project in the 1990s to give people a safe route through the busy neighborhoods along East and West Hollis Streets.
What railroad did the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail used to be?
The corridor began in 1848 as the Worcester & Nashua Railroad, which ran between those two cities. It later became the Hollis Branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad. The trail now follows that route through the city's mill-era neighborhoods.
Where does the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail start?
The original western section runs from City Hall, at 229 Main Street, to Simon Street. Trail guides describe the full route as running about 1.3 miles from Will Street, east of Simon Street, to Elm Street at Route 111. Check the city's map for the latest route.
How long is the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail?
TrailLink lists it at about 1.3 miles. The city's eastern extension along East Hollis Street from Main Street to Denton Street was planned to add more length, with construction scheduled for 2022, so check with the city for the current total.
Are there railroad exhibits on the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail?
The city does not list railroad exhibits, historic signs or rail equipment along the trail online. The trail's link to railroad history is the route itself, which follows the 1848 Worcester & Nashua corridor. Contact the city engineering office at (603) 589-3120 to ask about any interpretive features.
Is the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail paved?
Yes. Trail guides describe it as a flat, paved urban trail, suitable for walking, running and biking. That makes it an easy choice for families with strollers or young kids on bikes and scooters. Bring helmets for young riders and expect a few road crossings.
Is the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail wheelchair accessible?
Trail guides describe the path as flat and accessible, with a paved surface. The city does not post detailed accessibility notes for each entrance, so call the engineering office at (603) 589-3120 if you need specifics about curb cuts or access points.
Does the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail cost anything?
No. It is a public city trail and free to use. There is no ticket booth or admission fee, so you can walk or ride it whenever it suits your plans. Parking, if you need it, is the only likely cost of a visit.
What are the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail hours?
The city does not post hours for the trail online. It is a public path through city neighborhoods, so most people use it during daylight. For any rules about use after dark, contact the City of Nashua.
Where can I park for the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail?
The city does not list dedicated trail parking online. The western end starts at City Hall on Main Street in downtown Nashua. For public parking questions, the city's Parking Department can be reached at (603) 589-3205.
What is the Heritage Rail Trail East project?
It is the city's extension of the trail along East Hollis Street from Main Street to Denton Street, near a planned rail station at 25 Crown Street. It was funded mostly by a federal air quality grant awarded in 2017, with construction scheduled for spring and summer 2022.
When was the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail built?
A federal grant in 1993 paid for land and construction of the western section, from City Hall to Simon Street, which was completed in 1999. Further grants in 2005 and 2009 bought land east of Main Street, and the eastern section was designed after 2017.
Does the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail connect to Mine Falls Park?
Yes. Trail guides note that the Heritage Rail Trail links to the larger Mine Falls Park trail system, so you can turn a short walk into a longer outing with more green space. It is a good pairing for families who want a picnic or a longer bike ride.
Can you bike on the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail?
Yes. The trail was designed as a bicycle and pedestrian route, and its flat, paved surface makes it easy riding for families and commuters alike. Watch for street crossings in the city neighborhoods. It also serves as a commuting route, so share the path politely.
Is the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail good for kids?
Yes. It is short, flat and paved, which suits strollers, toddlers on foot and kids on bikes. There are no trains to ride, but it is a fun way to tell young train fans that engines once ran on the very path they are walking.
How long does it take to walk the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail?
At about 1.3 miles, most walkers can cover it one way in around half an hour. Add time if you walk it out and back, or if you continue into Mine Falls Park. Strollers and bikes move at about the same easy pace on the paved surface.
Who manages the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail?
The City of Nashua manages it. The eastern section was run as a Community Development project with the city engineer as the contact, reachable at (603) 589-3120 or HRTEast@nashuanh.gov. The western section was built with a 1993 federal grant and finished in 1999.
How can I get updates about the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail?
The city invites people to send a message to HRTEast@nashuanh.gov to join an email list about the Heritage Rail Trail East project. The project page on nashuanh.gov also holds maps, meeting records and the engineering study.
Is there a map of the Nashua Heritage Rail Trail?
Yes. The city posts a Heritage Rail Trail East map as a PDF on its project page at nashuanh.gov, and trail sites such as AllTrails and TrailLink offer route maps of the whole trail. The city map shows the planned eastern route along East Hollis Street.
What train museums are near Nashua, New Hampshire?
The Lowell National Historical Park trolley exhibits in Massachusetts are about 11 miles away, and the Contoocook Railroad Museum, with its historic depot and covered railroad bridge, is about 34 miles north. Both make easy half-day trips from Nashua for families with train fans.
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