The Lakes region of New Hampshire is a four-season destination anchored by Lake Winnipesaukee and 200+ other lakes and ponds. We’ve put together a guide for running in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, focused on some of the area’s principal towns. There’s a nice variety of lakeside routes and multi-use trails.
In Wolfeboro, there’s the 12-mile Cotton Valley Rail Trail that goes for 12 miles east to Wakefield, and a nice 4 mile loop around Sewall’s Point. In nearby Moltonborough, a fun destination run is the grounds and trails of Castle in the Clouds. Great views! Headed west along Lake Winnipesaukee, there’s some decent waterfront running in Gilford and Weirs Beach, and good trail running at Gunstock Mountain. In Laconia — a gateway town to to the area on Lake Winnisquam, combine the WOW Trail & Winnisquam Trail for a 4.3 mile run between Lakeport and Belmont. Another good rail-trail in the area is the Winnipesaukee River Trail, which runs for 5 miles between Tilton and Franklin.
Runner Notes: Trails aren’t generally maintained in winter, which is cold & snowy.
