Hometown Trails, World-Class Thrills

March 26, 2026

Outdoor adventure runs deep in the Sugar River Region, where trails are part of everyday life and local volunteers help build and maintain the terrain they love. The result is a four-season playground of mountain biking, hiking, paddling, and snow sports, along with a growing reputation that’s drawing riders and explorers from well beyond New Hampshire.

Mountain Biking at Arrowhead Recreation Area

One of the region’s standout adventure hubs is Arrowhead Recreation Area in Claremont, home to a growing mountain biking network maintained by the team behind The Wheel House Bike Shop. Riders come for technical climbs, steep descents, and “loamy” singletrack, and they stay for the friendly community that lingers after the ride ends.

Arrowhead’s reputation has reached far beyond New Hampshire. After hosting a qualifying race for the Enduro World Championship in 2021, the trail system gained national attention and put Claremont on the map for serious riders every summer. The courses are known for being challenging and spectator-friendly. (2026 race dates coming soon.)

More Trails, More Seasons, More Ways to Explore

And there’s more! Within minutes, visitors can connect to the Sugar River Rail Trailfor a long, flat ride, and nearby Moody Park for beginner and intermediate riders. A short drive opens up even more: French’s Ledges in Plainfield, Newport Town Forest, Cornish Town Forest, and Mount Sunapee Resort, which offers a bike park and rentals, and across the Connecticut River, Ascutney.

When winter arrives, the adventure doesn’t slow down. Arrowhead becomes a small downhill ski hill and tubing park, French’s Ledges is groomed for cross-country skiing,Eastman Cross Country Center offers rentals and more than 22 miles of groomed trails for both classic and skate skiing, and Mount Sunapee offers full-scale alpine terrain. The variety makes it easy to build a trip around one activity or stack several into the same weekend.