Seeing the falls is free, with just one caveat. A $5
parking pass is required for stops within the White Mountain National Forest. Passes
may be purchased at any ranger station, as well as at a variety of places
throughout the Mt. Washington Valley.
Use these directions and
descriptions to plan your own self-guided drive to one or all of these scenic
falls.
Sabbaday
Falls: This waterfall features
three drops, pretty pools and a pothole formed by the swirling waters and sand.
Though you can't swim in the falls, this is a great spot for picnics on warm
spring days.
Directions: Take the Kancamagus Highway from Conway. The
Sabbaday Falls Picnic Area is about 3.5 miles west of where Bear Notch Road
joins the Kancamagus. The falls are a short, 0.33-mile hike in.
Glen
Ellis Falls: The Ellis River plunges
64 feet to the basin below in a torrent of white water at this scenic spot.
Nearby signs describe the geology and history of the area.
Directions: The turn-off to the falls is 0.7 miles south of
Pinkham Notch on Route 16. This is also the parking area for the Glen Boulder
and Wildcat Ridge Trails. A tunnel takes you to the other side of the highway,
where you turn right to reach the falls. It is an easy, 0.2-mile walk to the
falls.
Crystal
Cascade: This is a spectacular,
two-tiered waterfall with a dramatic, 60-foot wall of water, followed by a
20-foot plunge, ending with the river making a 90-degree turn.
Directions: Park at the AMC Pinkham Notch Camp and take the
path on the left of the Trading Post--the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. The falls are
a 0.3-mile, uphill walk. For the adventurous at heart, keep going up the
Tuckerman Ravine Trail, and watch the spectacle of skiers in Tuckerman Ravine
on a sunny day in May.
Thompson
Falls: This is actually a
series of falls along Thompson Brook at Wildcat Ski Area. The views of Mt.
Washington from the highest ledge are worth the trip.
Directions: Take Route 16 to Wildcat Ski Area. To reach the
falls, take the "Way of Wildcat" Nature Trail from the ski area's
parking lot. At the far end of the trail loop, you'll find the path to the
falls. It's an easy, 0.7-mile trek to the falls.
Arethusa
Falls: Measuring about 176
feet, this is the highest single waterfall in New Hampshire. As a bonus, you
can also view Bemis Brook Falls, Fawn Pool and Coliseum Falls while
you're there.
Directions: Take Route 302 toward Bretton Woods and look for
the entrance to Crawford Notch State Park. Turn onto a paved road just beyond
the park, and park on the short side road below the railroad tracks. The trail
starts to the left of the private road above the tracks, and it's about 1.3
miles to the falls (2 miles if you take the trail to Bemis Brook Falls,
Coliseum Falls and Fawn Pool).
Flume
Cascade and Silver Cascade: These two falls
are viewable from the car, but you can get close for a better look.
Directions: You'll find these waterfalls on Route 302, just
below Crawford Notch Depot.
Ripley
Falls and Kendron Flume: Enjoy an easy
hike to the top of these waterfalls, where you'll discover swimming holes and
pools upstream where you can take a cool splash when the weather is warm. Keep
in mind that it is not safe to climb the face of the falls.
Directions: The Arethusa-Ripley Falls trail is located off
Route 302 in Crawford Notch at the old Wiley House station.
Jackson
Falls: The locals head to
Jackson Falls on hot summer days. Easily accessible, you'll find wonderful
pools and small, cooling falls under which to drench yourself. A few picnic
tables nearby offer the perfect spot for lunch, dinner or a cocktail to toast a
successful waterfall hunt.
Directions: Take Carter Notch Road about 3/10 of a mile from
Route 16A in Jackson.
Diana's
Baths: On a full moon night,
this is one of the most romantic places in the world. The water supply for the
area is located above this waterfall, so no access is allowed above, but the
collection of small falls and pools offers the perfect place to relax and cool
off. You'll need to hike about a half-mile, following a well-marked trail, to
find this special place.
Directions: Access the trail head from West Side Road, about a
half-mile beyond the point where West Side Road turns toward Conway.
Excerpted from A
New Hampshire Waterfall Tour, by Kim Knox Beckius, for New England for
Visitors Guide, April 2005