Presidential Rail Trail
Near Mount Randolph · New Hampshire
Presidential Rail Trail is a trail in the Presidential Range, climbing about 950 ft from the Presidential Rail Trail junction to Presidential Rail Trail Parking.
Map length
19.2 mi
Climb from the low end
947 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
10 h 5 min / 9 h 58 min
High point
1,499 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
197 ft/mi
Stream crossings
13
Low point
896 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
Presidential Rail Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Presidential Rail Trail junction (the lower end) to Presidential Rail Trail Parking.
- 0.0Presidential Rail Trail junction
- 0.6Junction with Hinchey Trail and Lost Campground
- 0.8Junction with Old Trunk Line
- 1.7Bridge over Moose River
- 2.8Bridge over Moose River
- 3.1Bridge over Moose River
- 3.4Bridge over Townline Brook
- 3.7Bridge over a stream
- 4.4Bridge over Bumpus Brook
- 4.7Junction with Howker Ridge Trail and Randolph Path
- 4.8Crosses a stream
- 5.4Junction with Brookbank
- 5.5Bridge over Snyder Brook
- 5.6Junction with Airline Trail, Amphibrach, Bee Line Trail, Fallsway, The Link and Valley Way
- 6.1Bridge over Cold Brook
- 7.8Junction with Lowe's Path
- 8.2Crosses Moose River
- 8.6Junction with Castle Trail
- 9.8Bridge over Israel River
- 11.1Bridge over South Branch Israel River
- 15.8Junction with Slide Brook Trail
- 17.7Tudor Richards Viewing Platform
- 17.7Junction with Tudor Richards Viewing Platform
- 18.7Crosses Ayling Brook
- 19.2Presidential Rail Trail Parking
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Hinchey Trail / Lost Campground junction
0.56 mi (total 0.56) · ↑44 ↓0 ft · 18 min / 17 min
To Old Trunk Line junction
0.27 mi (total 0.83) · ↑36 ↓8 ft · 9 min / 8 min
To Howker Ridge Trail junction
3.88 mi (total 4.71) · ↑347 ↓70 ft · 2 h 7 min / 1 h 59 min
To Brookbank junction
0.73 mi (total 5.44) · ↑49 ↓4 ft · 23 min / 22 min
To Fallsway junction
0.12 mi (total 5.56) · ↑10 ↓0 ft · 4 min / 4 min
To Lowe's Path junction
2.20 mi (total 7.76) · ↑190 ↓37 ft · 1 h 12 min / 1 h 7 min
To Castle Trail junction
0.88 mi (total 8.64) · ↑50 ↓9 ft · 28 min / 26 min
To Slide Brook Trail junction
7.20 mi (total 15.84) · ↑120 ↓498 ft · 3 h 40 min / 3 h 51 min
To Tudor Richards Viewing Platform junction
1.86 mi (total 17.70) · ↑41 ↓42 ft · 57 min / 57 min
To Presidential Rail Trail Parking
1.51 mi (total 19.21) · ↑58 ↓41 ft · 47 min / 47 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Rail Trail junction | Hinchey Trail / Lost Campground junction | 0.56 | 0.56 | 44 / 0 ft | 18 min / 17 min |
| Hinchey Trail / Lost Campground junction | Old Trunk Line junction | 0.27 | 0.83 | 36 / 8 ft | 9 min / 8 min |
| Old Trunk Line junction | Howker Ridge Trail junction | 3.88 | 4.71 | 347 / 70 ft | 2 h 7 min / 1 h 59 min |
| Howker Ridge Trail junction | Brookbank junction | 0.73 | 5.44 | 49 / 4 ft | 23 min / 22 min |
| Brookbank junction | Fallsway junction | 0.12 | 5.56 | 10 / 0 ft | 4 min / 4 min |
| Fallsway junction | Lowe's Path junction | 2.20 | 7.76 | 190 / 37 ft | 1 h 12 min / 1 h 7 min |
| Lowe's Path junction | Castle Trail junction | 0.88 | 8.64 | 50 / 9 ft | 28 min / 26 min |
| Castle Trail junction | Slide Brook Trail junction | 7.20 | 15.84 | 120 / 498 ft | 3 h 40 min / 3 h 51 min |
| Slide Brook Trail junction | Tudor Richards Viewing Platform junction | 1.86 | 17.70 | 41 / 42 ft | 57 min / 57 min |
| Tudor Richards Viewing Platform junction | Presidential Rail Trail Parking | 1.51 | 19.21 | 58 / 41 ft | 47 min / 47 min |
↑ walking from Presidential Rail Trail junction; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Presidential Rail Trail Parking
Off Airport Road
Connecting trails
Packing for fall? The fall gear guide has the full list.
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.