Arethusa Falls via Bemis Brook Trail

Arethusa Falls is a popular hike in the White Mountains, and come winter it is a popular spot for ice climbing. The falls are located in Crawford Notch State Park and are the tallest waterfalls in New Hampshire (between 140 and 200 feet). Following the Bemis Brook Trail to Arethusa Falls will add a few other frozen falls to your hike before ultimately reaching Arethusa Falls.

The trailhead is located just off of Highway 302, and it is also the trailhead for the Frankenstein Cliffs. No day use fee is required, though donations are appreciated to help maintain the trail. The trail for Arethusa Falls begins across the train tracks near a private home. After just a few hundred yards you will see the Bemis Brook Trail come up along the left. Take this trail for half a mile along Bemis Brook. This trail takes you past Fawn Pool, Coliseum Falls, and Bemis Brook Falls, which are great additions to add on to your trip to Arethusa Falls. After the last falls, the trail turns right and climbs up steeply to rejoin the Arethusa Falls Trail. For the remainder of the hike to Arethusa Falls the trail climbs moderately and crosses a few streams along the way. Eventually you reach the 0.2-mile spur trail that descends to Arethusa Falls. The falls can be viewed closer up if the river is sufficiently frozen. If not, the bottom of the trail provides an amazing view.