Mountain biking doesn’t get much better than in and around Littleton, NH. There are serious mountain biking trail networks just ten minutes south in Franconia, NH as well as a bit north at Bretton Woods. But the town of Littleton itself is home to the PRKR MTN trail network, comprising 24 miles of single- and double-track bike trails on Parker Mountain.

Mountain biking enthusiasts – experts and beginners alike – can turbo-charge the experience by demo-ing so-called “FAT BIKES” in place of bikes with standard 1- to 1.5” tires. Littleton Bike and Fitness, a HUGE bike and education shop just off Main Street in Littleton, rents fat bikes at $50 per day.

What are Fat Bikes?

Picture a Monster Truck Rally… for bikes!

Fat bikes have enormous tires to go over snow, slop, dirt, rocks and sand – and still deliver a smooth ride. These tires are between 4-5” wide and provide unbeatable biking stability on snow and loose surfaces. Full suspension is the new trend in fat bikes, so even steep trails are possible!

Where can I rent a Fat Bike?

Littleton Bike & Fitness is located in a renovated Ford garage on 28 Cottage Street in Littleton, NH. The store sells and rents bikes for all ages, experience levels and conditions. Littleton Bike & Fitness also coordinates the Littleton Landsharks, a biking group that rides every Tuesday at 6 pm. Special classes and events are scheduled throughout the year, so if you are interested, definitely check out their calendar!

Where can I ride?

PRKR MTN

The PRKR MTN trail network is a privately-owned network of maintained single- and double-track bike paths on 2,000-foot Parker Mountain, the highest point in Littleton, NH. More than 24 miles are professionally maintained, with a design that points all trails back to Littleton’s downtown region.

Bikers can park at Remick Park. Littleton Bike & Fitness also opens their parking lot to mountain bikers. Trails start at the top of School Street. A great loop to really get your blood flowing is Rock and Roll to Gardner’s Trail to Linda’s Lookout. The lookout provides awesome views of the northern Presidential Range of the White Mountains. Beginners can get back to town on I95 (in this case, the name of a bike path, not an interstate!).

After a great trip, bikers should check out the establishments along Littleton Main Street for food, drinks, entertainment and lodging!

• Schilling Beer Company
• Miller’s Café and Bakery
• Chang Thai
• Beal House Inn & Tavern
• Thayer’s Inn
• Hampton Inn
• Chutter’s Candy Counter

Moore Dam Trail

This 3.5-mile trail follows the Moore Dam reservoir. This path is mostly flat, with bridges and flats requiring some technical biking. Day-trippers should consider packing a lunch to enjoy at a clearing alongside the water.

To reach the Moore Dam trail, take I-93 Exit 43 and then take a left off the exit ramp onto RT-135 North. Take a left onto Old Waterford Road. Continue to the end of road for parking. You will see signs for the trail on the left side of the lot.

Franconia Village X-C Ski and Outdoor Rec Trails

The Franconia Village X-C Ski Center has some trails open to fat bikes in the winter. This is a professionally maintained network of trails totaling over 40 miles. Most of the trails are intimate single tracks through the woods, over brooks and across meadows. Check out the White Mountain Bike Shop next door to the Franconia Inn for information and tips about where to go.

Kingdom Trails

This nationally recognized mountain biking trail network is located on Burke Mountain in Vermont, only 40 minutes northwest of Littleton. Over 110 miles of professionally maintained trails offer a variety of terrain, adventure and difficulty levels for all experience levels. More information online at http://kingdomtrails.org.

Whether you are an experienced mountain biker or just an outdoors enthusiast, consider planning a day of fat biking around Littleton, NH. Cheers to your adrenaline adventure!

Summer is fast approaching and with sunshine and warmer weather comes the reopening of the Littleton Farmers’ Market this Sunday, June 4 from 10 am to 1 pm.

Farmers and interested parties from Littleton came together just a few years ago to breathe new life into a weekly farmers’ market. Now farmers, bakers, craftspeople and other local vendors come together every Sunday from June through mid-October to display and sell their products to residents and visitors of Littleton.

Nearly 40 vendors have signed up for the 2017 season.

Local fruits and vegetables, pork, eggs, chicken, cheese, lamb, and other meats and produce will be offered by Meadowstone Farm in Bethlehem, Pinestead Farm in Franconia, and Cross Farm in Barnet, VT, as well as others.

Tipsy Treats in Thornton will be back with their unique alcohol-infused dessert party toppings. This family-owned business blends just the right amount of premium liqueurs and spirits into fruit and chocolate dessert toppings to go on ice cream, cheesecake and other desserts!

The newly opened Crum Bum Bakery in Littleton will be providing unique confections and tasty treats inspired by the big city. Try a Chocolate Chip and Sea Salt Cookie! Not to your taste? Perhaps a Roasted Broccolini and Asiago Croissant will suit!

Yeeyee’s Vermont Specialty Products include Horseradish Mustard, Pickles, Pumpkin Butter, Salsa and a variety of dessert toppings. Many years of canning experience and a love for healthy living has inspired this family-owned business to provide specialty small-batch products inspired by grandmother’s kitchen.

Lance and Ginny Roberts from Lunenburg, VT will be back again this year with woodcrafts including cutting boards, spoons, bowls and necklaces as well as veggies and baked goods.

Farm Girl Flowers and Finds from Sanbornton will be joining the market for the first time this year. They produce fresh and dried flower bouquets and wreaths as well as a collection of beautifully refurbished antiques.

Other crafts to be found include custom birdhouses, leather belts, wooden boxes and picture frames, jewelry, scarves and books by local mystery author Marilinne Cooper.

Enjoy music in the sunshine while you shop.

Local musicians plug in and play next to the river every Sunday during the Farmers’ Market!

Music is primarily acoustic folk and classic New England country. First up this Sunday is Bobbie and Me, an acoustic folk duo, with performances planned throughout the summer and fall by:

• The Old Gold Band
• Joe Keenan
• Wendy and the Lost Boys
• Alan Greenleaf
• Paul Aiken
• Katie Rose
• Pipe and Slippers
• Brookside
• Kate Davis “Fifth Business”
• Comfort Country
• David Van Houten

Enjoy your Sunday morning in Littleton as a visitor or well-trod local at the Farmers’ Market!

The Littleton Farmers’ Market is set up and ready to go each Sunday morning by 10 am on Riverglen Lane in the Littleton Senior Center parking lot next to the Covered Bridge on the Ammonoosuc River.

“This vendor-owned event is a fantastic addition to life in Littleton. It’s owned and arranged by the farmers themselves in a beautiful location with easy access to downtown from the covered bridge,” says Littleton local Tony J. Ilacqua.

With fresh local fruits and vegetables, pasture-raised meats and cheeses, gluten-free goodies, NH and VT maple products, and more, we guarantee you’ll find something for your home or kitchen!

And once your shopping is done, head across the Covered Bridge to Main Street, where you will find Chutters, Home of the World’s Longest Candy Counter!