A Quick Guide to Gravel Riding in Tamworth NH

Nestled only minutes South of the shop lies the town of Tamworth, a recluse's paradise and home to some of the best gravel riding in the state. There's a seemingly endless list of routes to ride and hills to climb, not to mention the excellent views to soak in along the way. It can be tricky to navigate at first, hopefully this guide helps break it down and gets you out riding!

Starting Points:

Most of my rides begin from either Chocorua Lake or the center of town. The Chocorua Lake lot is smaller so may fill up on a nicer weekend day but there is plenty of parking in the center of town behind the town hall building. Starting from Chocorua Lake allows you to ride on dirt from the parking lot but requires a bit of a climb about .7 miles in while the town center allows you to branch off in any direction and places you closer to Sandwich resulting in easier access some of the more remote roads in that area. 

A Few of My Favorite Routes:

As previously stated, the opportunities for a fun and scenic ride down here are endless, so I've put together a few of my favorites. Most routes are 65-75% gravel, with only short stretches of pavement mixed in and minimal time on "busy" roads. Expect around 1k ft of elevation gain per every 10 miles.

The pre-work special - This route is great if you're short on time or if you are looking for a less demanding effort. Starting from the Chocorua Lake parking lot you will climb up and down Fowler's Mill and reconnect to the lot with some short pavement stretches in between. The view of Chocorua at the top of Fowler's is magnificent in the early morning light!

Distance: 11.50 miles / Elevation: ~1100'

Up & Around to Wonalancet - Also starting from the lake, this route is 75% gravel and offers a speedy paved descent of Route 113 while passing through the picturesque corner of the state known as Wonalancet. An optional detour would be to head out to the Ferncroft Trailhead, enjoying the babbling brook and some cozy little cabins along the way. 

Distance: ~19 miles / Elevation: 1550'

Out to Sandwich & Back - A challenging ride that passes through beautiful country starts at the lake, goes through Tamworth, up & over Wing Road and through Sandwich before looping back and around. Wing Road is one of the punchier climbs in the area however at the top lies Young Maple Ridge Sugarhouse & Papa Bean's Ice Cream. This self serve station is the perfect stop for a mid ride cooldown after a significant effort getting up the hill. Once you're over Wing, head into Sandwich towards another highlight of the route, Wentworth Hill & Top of the World Road. Both offer excellent views into the Sandwich Range Wilderness and the surrounding valleys, coupled with some nice farmhouses along the way. Pass through Tamworth center in route back to the Lake and you're in the clear.

Distance: 45 miles / Elevation: 4400'

A shorter version of this ride that still includes Wing and Top of the World can be found here - 31 miles / 3000'

Climbing Route from Center - This route is half the distance of the last yet offers some short but punchy climbs throughout. Heading out from the center on Cleveland Hill, you'll ride up Pine Hill & Brown Hill before a bit of a reprieve, followed by a couple more hills before cruising down Gardner Hill and back into town. 

Distance: 23 Miles / Elevation 2100'

Mega Ride through Sandwich Notch - If you're a glutton for punishment I have the perfect ride for you. This route takes you from Chocorua Lake through all of Tamworth, up Sandwich Notch into Campton, up and over the Notch again, then back through Sandwich and Tamworth. Not for the faint of heart! Post ride dip in the lake will be mandatory after this one.

Distance: 77 Miles / Elevation 8050'

Pit Stops:

No ride is truly complete with out a mid or post ride snack. Luckily there are a handful of places to refuel during your ride. My favorite place in the area for a drink or light snack is the Tamworth Bakery. Conveniently right in the center of town, this is a great place to stop before heading home or to refill mid-ride. The bakery is open Tuesday to Saturday 8-2. If you're tackling the Wing Road climb, stop at the top and enjoy a maple treat or some ice cream at the Young Maple Ridge Sugarhouse. This spot is self serve but accepts Venmo as well as cash/check. Along the backside of Wing Road lies Booty Family Farm. I have not stopped at this one personally, but it always looks enticing! This is also a self serve farmstand.

If you are riding on a Saturday be sure to check out the Tamworth Farmer's Market. The market runs Saturdays from 9-12 and is located downtown in the church parking lot. It is open year round, moving inside the church in the winter months. I believe this is the best farmers market in the area, and others must too as it can be quite busy. If you are planning to ride from downtown on a Saturday it would be best to arrive before the market begins or plan on making it a pit stop along your ride. 

If you're the speedy type and don't care for mid ride indulgences, our wide array of nutrition offerings is sure to keep you from bonking!

Some Handy Gear to Get You Through:

• Whenever I'm rolling out the door I carry a multitool, tire levers, a tire plug, and a replacement tube (even with a tubeless setup). 
• A high flow rate water bottle is essential for the climbs, you'll thank me later!
• The gravel is smooth down these parts so a mid-fat tire rides fast; I prefer the Continental Terra Speed
• For navigation and stats at my fingertips I use the Garmin Edge series of products
• Don't forget to clean your bike after a muddy ride!

Thats it for now! Enjoy the ride,

- Greg