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New Hampshire Nature|Waterfalls

The Hike To This New Hampshire Waterfall Is Short And Sweet

By Catherine Armstrong | Published May 23, 2019

Hiking through New Hampshire’s wilderness is a great way to spend an afternoon, but it gets even better when you throw in a waterfall and two covered bridges. This short, easy hiking trail is perfectly picturesque, and you’ll want to explore it soon.

Flume Gorge is an 800-foot-deep gorge that formed 200 million years ago, in the time of the dinosaurs.

Start your hike at the Visitor Center. You have two choices: hike straight to the Flume and back, or complete the 2-mile-long loop trail.

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You'll cross the Pemigewasset River on the Flume Covered Bridge, which was built in 1886. It's been restored several times, and is one of the oldest covered bridges in the state. It's certainly photo-worthy.

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As you enter the gorge, you'll be stunned at the beauty before you. The steep walls of Conway granite soar as high as 90 feet above, and the entire gorge is covered with greenery. It's like a hidden oasis.

The boardwalk trail takes you right along one side of the gorge, to the viewing platform of the waterfall.

You'll hear the sound of the rushing waters of Avalanche Falls the moment you step into the gorge. The 45-foot waterfall tumbles into the river below in a spectacular display.

Continue on to the Sentinel Covered Bridge. The bridge's base is the tree trunk of the huge Sentinel Pine. It stood 175 tall, until it was felled during a hurricane in 1938.

The bridge overlooks a 40-foot-deep pool. From here, you'll have a great vantage point of the pool and the gorge below.

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The entire loop trail is short and easy, but you'll want to allow plenty of time for this hike. The scenery, both inside the gorge and along the rest of the loop, is so compelling that you'll want to just soak it in, and of course you'll want to take plenty of photos.

Have you taken this hiking trail? We’d love to hear about your hike and see your photos!

New Hampshire has no shortage of jaw-dropping natural wonders. Here are 11 impressive sights you can only see in New Hampshire.

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