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Air Line State Park Trail & Lyman Viaduct
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Lyman Viaduct southernly view, photo by Jeff Burke
Spend the day at Air Line State Park Trail and Lyman viaduct. Many have heard of this interesting place, but few have ventured out here. It's unique in its outstanding views, and any portion of this 50 mile trail can be an exhilarating one!
This unique place can be found off Route 2, Exit 16 on 149 and River Road. Join the hundreds of people on this trail at any time on a beautiful weekend day. Most people with bicycles start at the parking area directly near Route 2, here you can safely cross under Route 2 to head toward Hebron, and its swamp and marshland or ride toward E. Hampton, through the Colchester portion.
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Up close Railroad support, photo by Jeff Burke
However most people are first heading to the Lyman Viaduct, which has a buried train trestle 300 feet above the Salmon River State Forest. If you start at the Salmon River state park on Bull Hill Road, you can walk the rail trail for about 2 miles to get to the Lyman Viaduct, definitely a healthy walk with vistas over looking the old Salmon River road below. (which is open in good weather) The view and the sound of the river below makes for a great experience.
Exposed Rail photo by Jeff Burke
You can also park at the parking area also on Bull Hill Road about a 1/4 mile or so from the Viaduct, to get the same but shorter experience. Bull Hill road is tricky but just keep following it for a while to discover the second parking area!
The old Salmon river road which starts at the State Park entrance is a dirt and rock road, that crosses under the rail trail so don't venture that way in a new car. The hardy souls who don't need to worry about this though will find this a most exciting ride to be able to park then walk by the river and enjoy the beauty of the river and valley from below. The leaves were in full retreat; the foliage appears to be getting more beautiful each day!
The railway through this area was the direct link from Boston to New York, and may have artifacts such as the rails and tie downs showing in many place, but the real beauty is the sky and the trees with vistas that stretch for miles and miles. Travel below this trail and experience the Salmon River State Forest area, a vast river and watershed area stretching through four towns.
Rail Trail above Salmon River photo by Jeff Burke
For your pleasure try one of these four trails to mountain tops to enjoy the leaves as they change to brilliant hews of orange, red and yellow
Photo from Viaduct Facing North by Jeff Burke
Don't let these pictures fool you as this is quite an exciting location and has a massive view that can not be appreciated just with a photograph. So check out the other photos Jeff collected while there, to get a better view of what you awaits you as you travel the Air Line Rail Trail.
View Airline State Park Trail in a larger map
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