Bethlehem, New Hampshire
Zealand Falls
A gentle White Mountains walk to a 50-foot waterfall in moose country.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Length
- 2.6 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 400 ft
- Duration
- 1–2
- Best Season
- May–Oct
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Features
- Waterfall, Moose habitat
About the trail
Zealand Falls is the easiest rewarding waterfall hike in the White Mountains. The trail follows the Zealand River through the largest moose habitat in New Hampshire, then climbs short rock steps to a 50-foot cascade tumbling out of Zealand Notch. Continued past the falls, the trail climbs toward the Notch for those willing to earn more elevation.
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 44.2960, -71.6600Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- Park at the Zealand Falls trailhead on the Zealand Notch Road off RT-302.
- Follow the Zealand Trail along the river through spruce and birch.
- Cross the river on the footbridge and climb the short rock steps.
- Reach the falls at 1.3 miles, then return the way you came.
Parking
Zealand Falls lot off Zealand Notch Road — paid in season, fills by 9 a.m. on summer weekends.
Tips from the trail
- Moose are most active at dawn and dusk — give them a wide berth.
- The rock steps above the falls are slick; watch your footing.
- Ticks are present in the understory through July.
- Combine with Gem Dam or the Zealand Notch climb for a longer day.
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