14 of the Best Hiking Trails in New Hampshire With Waterfalls

Nestled in the heart of New England, New Hampshire is home to some of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the region. From gentle walks that lead to tranquil pools to strenuous hikes that reward you with spectacular views of majestic falls, waterfalls are not only a feature of a hike, in most cases, they are the highlight. 

And when you get all sweaty and gross during your hike, there’s nothing more refreshing than getting a cool cascade of water dumped on you! In this blog post, we’ll look at 14 of the best hiking trails in New Hampshire with waterfalls and share some tips on how to enjoy them! 

Best Hiking Trails in New Hampshire With Waterfalls 

1. Purgatory Falls

Located in Purgatory Brook, there are three different waterfalls on this trail, but the most popular one is Lower Purgatory Falls, as it’s the easiest to access. To get to the trailhead, you need to take North River Road from the junction of Rt. 101 and Rt 101A, then head straight to Purgatory Road. 

The hike to the first waterfall is a short and breezy 0.6 miles up the Purgatory Brook Trail. Don’t miss the views of Pack Monadnock on your way to the waterfalls! Then continue for about 5.2 miles to find two more waterfalls on the trail. The trail after the first waterfall is more overgrown and muddy, so stay close to the brook to make sure you won’t get lost. 

Distance: 5.2 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: 331 feet 

2. Champney Falls

Champney Falls is located on the side of Mt. Chocorua. Access the area through Rt 93 at exit 32 in Lincoln and Rt. 16 in Conway. The trail starts on the south side of Kancamagus Highway, crossing Twin Brook on a bridge. 

It follows Champney Brook for the entire hike. You can enjoy Champney Falls close to the trail, but further away from the trail, you can also find Pitcher Falls. This moderate trail is 3.1 miles long and has lots of water crossings, so be prepared to get wet. 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: 682 feet 

3. Rainbow Falls - Walter/Newton Trail 

Rainbow Falls is the star of the Walter-Newton Natural Area. To get to the trailhead, head to Cummings Hill Road and park in the pull-off on the right. To get to Rainbow Falls, use the Walter/Newton trail, a beginner-friendly route that’s only about 1.5 miles and takes 30 minutes to complete. 

The terrain can be slippery if there’s still ice so you might want spikes. It can also get pretty muddy during the wet season so water-resistant hiking shoes are a nice-to-have. Rainbow Falls itself is quite small with two short plunges over a small cliff. 

Distance: 1.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: 124 feet 

4. Kinsman Falls

Kinsman Falls is an excellent destination for hikers as it’s accessible through several different scenic routes of numerous difficulty levels. You can access the trailheads via The Basin, off Rt. 93 in Lincoln. The shortest moderate trail is the Basin Cascade Trail at 2.6 miles, going through cascading waterfalls and deep pools you can swim in. 

Another way to reach it is via the more scenic Kinsman Loop via the Appalachian Trail and Cascade Brook Trail. The challenging route is 11.6 miles and takes around 7 hours to complete. If you want to take your time and do this in two days, you can camp at Kinsman Pond and make it an overnighter.

Distance: 2.6 miles (Basin Cascade Trail), 11.6 miles (Kinsman Loop)

Difficulty: Easy (Basin Cascade Trail), Hard (Kinsman Loop)

Elevation gain: 626 feet (Basin Cascade Trail), 3,379 feet (Kinsman Loop)

5. Arethusa Falls

Access the trailhead via the Arethusa Falls Road in Harts Location. There are lower and upper parking lots in the area, the trail begins at the upper parking. Arethusa Falls is located in the Crawford Notch State Park and is a popular destination as it’s New Hampshire’s tallest single-drop waterfall. 

You can start the hike on the Bemis Brook Trail passing a few waterfalls, then join the Arethusa Falls Trail. The route is approximately 2.8 miles and a safer route back is by following through the Arethusa Falls Trail instead of going back Bemis Brook, as the upper section is extremely steep and you might have to downclimb at some spots. This trail also can get icy in the colder months so you might need spikes. 

Distance: 2.8 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: 885 feet 

6. Senter Falls 

If you just want to stretch your legs on a short stroll, go for the Senter Falls Loop. It’s a teeny hike that’s only 0.5 miles, and it should take you about 20 minutes to complete.

The trailhead is located on Lyndeboro Road in Lyndeborough, accessible through Rt. 47 and Rt. 136 in Francestown. Senter Falls is a series of cascading water on a small brook, located in the Alan and Edgar Rice Natural Area, and the first half of the trail is basically going along it. The hike is a family-friendly hike, suitable for dog-walking and children. 

Distance: 0.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: 118 feet

7.     Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop

Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, this trail is about 8.6 miles long and features several waterfalls along Falling Water Trail which is the first or last part of the loop. To get to the area, park at Lafayette Place and walk to the east side of the road to find the trailhead. 

This is a challenging trail which should only be attempted in good weather. The extreme exposure and tricky terrain can be dangerous in icy, snowy, or wet weather. After you enjoy the waterfalls along Falling Water Trail, you’ll head up Mt. Lincoln, then Mt. Lafayette which is the highest mountain outside of the Presidential Range. 

After Mt. Lafayette, the trail heads downwards and you’ll arrive at AMC’s Greenleaf Hut where you can restock on your snacks and refill your water bottle. This is a loop trail and you can start from either the Falling Water Trail or the Greenleaf Hut Trail. 

Distance: 8.6 miles

Difficulty: Hard

Elevation gain: 3,825 feet 

8. Mount Willard Trail

Mt. Willard Trail is a steep 3.1-mile out-and-back hike that’s in the White Mountains where you can enjoy views of Crawford Notch and the surrounding range. The area is accessible via Rt 302 in Twin Mountain, located behind the railroad depot. 

You’ll start the hike at Saco Lake, traveling up the trail where you’ll find cascading waterfalls and the centennial pool. This terrain features a few water crossings and rocky terrain so be mindful of the shoes you use. During cooler months, you might also need spikes if the trail is icy.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: 895 feet 

9. Diana's Baths

Diana’s Baths is a must-see spot in North Conway, where you can enjoy ledges, cascading falls, and pools in the brook. The falls are 75 feet tall,  which creates a majestic view when the water is high. 

This little hike is relatively flat and only 1.3 miles long which should take you about half an hour to complete. The area is located on the West Side Road of North Conway, follow the signage on the parking lot to get to the trailhead. You’ll need a daily pass that costs $5 for entry which can also be used at other national forest sites. 

Distance: 1.3 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: 118 fee

10. Nancy Cascades Trail

The Nancy Cascades Trail is on Rt. 302 in Hart’s Location. It is a moderate, 4.9-mile trail that should take about three hours to finish. It is a relatively steady climb that starts on the Nancy Pond Trail where you’ll find a 300-foot high white water on the east side of Nancy Range. 

This trail has loads of creek and river crossings so you might want to think about shoes. Also, because of the crossings, the trail can get a tad confusing so you might want a downloaded map as a backup. 

Spikes are recommended if you plan to visit during winter. 

Distance: 4.9 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: 1,502 feet 

11. Ripley Falls

Ripley Falls is located in the Crawford Notch, and it’s one of the two tallest waterfalls in the state. It’s a 100-foot tall waterfall that goes along the Avalanche Brook at a 60-degree rocky slope. You can find the trailhead on Willey House Station Road in Harts Location. 

The route is a mile long and takes about half an hour to complete. The markers are easy to follow, but it can be slippery and muddy, so make sure you’re wearing hiking shoes even if it’s a short distance. 

Distance: 1 mile

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: 308 feet 

12. Zealand Falls

Zealand Falls is accessible via Rt. 302 onto Zealand Road. The trail begins from the end of the parking lot and continues along Zealand Brook to find Zealand Falls Hut where you can rest and recharge. It’s a moderate hike at 5.4 miles and the trail is flat until you reach the steep pathway near Zealand Falls Hut which is the only challenging part of the hike. 

It can get muddy and wet with lots of creek crossings, so be prepared with some good hiking shoes.

Distance: 5.4 miles

Difficulty: Easy - Moderate

Elevation gain: 603 feet 

13. Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the White Mountains. Although it’s not as tall as the other waterfalls in the area, its beautiful shape makes it one of the most photographed waterfalls. 

To reach the trailhead, go to Coppermine Road in Franconia, west side of Rt 116. It’s moderately challenging, with some rocky and muddy terrain that will take you about 2.5 hours to complete. Follow along the Coppermine Trail to reach the waterfall. 

Distance: 4.8 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: 1,079 ft

14. Georgiana and Harvard Falls

This trail leads to Georgiana Falls and Harvard Falls, some of the largest waterfalls in the White Mountains. This out-and-back trail is relatively easy but near Harvard Falls, it will begin to go steeper.

During the hike, you’ll enjoy some viewpoints that look over at Franconia Notch. This route might be a tad challenging to navigate, so you might want to bring an offline map. If you’re hiking in winter, be prepared with spikes to face the icy, steep inclines. 

Distance: 2.4 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: 790 feet 

Tips for Waterfall Hikes

Waterfalls can be beautiful, but they can also surprise you. Edges can be deceptively unstable and rocks are often covered with moss and algae, making them extremely slippery. Be careful and think about packing non-slip water shoes if you are going to scramble around. 

Stay on designated trails and avoid any unstable ground or drop-offs. Keep an eye on children if present and explain the importance of staying on the trail and away from edges. During snowmelt periods, water levels and currents can change quickly and the increased volume of water can become dangerous. 

Rain will make the trail even more slippery and can cause a sudden increase in water flow so be mindful of the weather. Remember to pack out whatever you pack in, ALWAYS. 

Conclusion - Best Hiking Trails in New Hampshire With Waterfalls 

There ya go! Plenty of options to please the most discerning waterfall enthusiast. So grab your shoes and get out there! 

If you’d like more information on the hiking trails around New Hampshire or want to stay with us during your vacation, Gidana Getaways is here for you! 

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