See The Tallest Waterfall In New Hampshire In The White Mountains
By Beth Price-Williams|Updated on March 28, 2024(Originally published May 24, 2020)
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Let’s go for a hike today, New Hampshire! After all, can you think of a better way to spend a few hours – or even an entire day – than out in nature? If you want to visit the tallest waterfall in New Hampshire, you’ll have two trails you can follow that will take you to the spectacular natural wonder. Just be prepared for a bit of a challenge, regardless of which you choose. So bring along some friends and let’s take a trip to one of the best waterfall hikes in New Hampshire; Arethusa Falls.
If you want to see the most majestic of waterfalls in New Hampshire, look no further than Arethusa Falls. The tallest waterfall in the state, in fact, it cascades down an....
...Impressive 140 feet. To arrive at the waterfall, follow one of two trails. The Arethusa Falls Trail is the easiest of the two, although it's still considered a moderate trek.
There will be a section at one point where the trail will split and you can travel higher or lower to walk by the brooke. Both are clearly marked one as Arethusa and the other as the Bemis Brook Trail. They will both converge together again before you arrive at Arethusa Falls so feel free to take whichever one suits you best.
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Expect a lot of traffic on this nearly three-mile trail, especially if it's a beautiful day. You'll find the trail is well-marked with trail blazes.
Should you decide to hike the trail during the winter, when the waterfall is especially awe-inspiring, you might want to wear microspikes to make the trek easier. After doing this hike in the winter we would recommend a good set of microspikes, it is a must especially leading down to the falls and while walking around the base of the waterfall.
For a challenging hike that's rated difficult, set off on the Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Trail. It spans just over four miles and can get incredibly busy, too.
You will have a few options if you would like to do this trail as well. You can take a big loop from the trailhead and see the cliffs and work your way down to Arethusa Falls or you can go straight to the falls and then continue up to the Frankenstein Cliffs area. Either way, you are in for a challenging hike but the views will make it all worthwhile.
Unlike the other trail, however, Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Trail isn't as well-marked, and you've got to be careful of falling ice if you're hiking during the winter.
Regardless of which trail you follow, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of Arethusa Falls. Out of all of the New Hampshire waterfalls not only is it the tallest but it is also the prettiest.
Have you been to the tallest waterfall in New Hampshire? Share your experience in the comments! If you want to make the trek to this impressive waterfall the best way is to download the AllTrails+ app on your phone and make sure you download the map for the Arethusa Falls Trail to keep track of where you are on the trail.
If you love waterfalls, you’ll definitely want to visit Coos County, which boasts 25 cascading waterfalls.
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Chris Dodge|March 28, 2024
What are some of the best waterfalls in New Hampshire?
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