Discounting the seasonal waterfalls, our research indicates that Arethusa Falls is the single longest drop in New England. However, its height is of great controversy. We have come across sources stating that Arethusa is anywhere from 125 feet tall to “well over 200 feet in height.” Several other sources believe the falls to be about 160 feet, with which we agree. This multi-tiered plunge appears to fall from the sky. From the trail and the bottom viewpoints, you cannot see anything above the falls, aside from a few trees on the side of the river. What you do see is a peaceful and heavenly expression of Bemis Brook. The streams of water range from extremely powerful during high water run off times to hundreds of trickles during prolonged draughts. The gracefulness of the falls for the most the summer is what makes this waterfall a must-visit. Over the years, we have seen many inexperienced hikers struggle on the trail just to have the chance to see Arethusa Falls. They may be exhausted along the trail, but we have never seen anything short of a relieved smile at the waterfall. Everyone appears deeply content when they finally reach the falls. Arethusa falls becomes, in a nutshell, a job well done for all who witness its elegant beauty. This is also one waterfall you will not want to miss during peak fall foliage.

Start your hike by crossing a set of railroad tracks and you should notice a signed trailhead to the left of a private residence. The blue-marked Arethusa Falls Trail will lead you all the way to Arethusa Falls. About 0.1 mile after entering the woods, the Bemis Brook Trail will fork left and loop you past Fawn Pool, Coliseum Falls, and Bemis Brook Falls. This yellow blazed-trail rejoins the trail to Arethusa Falls about 0.5 mile from the parking area, so it is worth your while to take this route either on the way to Arethusa Falls or on the way back down. Given that this trail is more difficult than the Arethusa Falls Trail, we both agreed that hiking up the Bemis Brook Trail and using the Arethusa Falls Trail to return to the parking area was the best approach to visiting these additional falls. Just after the Bemis Brook Trail rejoins the Arethusa Falls Trail, you will need to turn right to continue. The trail will swing left soon after. About 1.0 mile into the hike, you will cross two bridges; the first one is named the “Kingsway Bridge”. Once you are within 0.2 mile of the falls, you will reach a junction with the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail. A sign points left towards Arethusa Falls. Take this left and you will soon reach the falls. Although recently re-routed in order to avoid the more difficult terrain found along the edge of Bemis Brook, the Arethusa Falls Trail can still have sections of muddy ground to cross, largely depending on the season. We have also noticed that ice can remain on this trail deep into spring. This hike requires about 60 minutes of walking in each direction, but the reward of spectacular Arethusa Falls is sure to justify such efforts. It is also possible for strong hikers to connect Arethusa Falls with Ripley Falls, another outstanding Crawford Notch attraction, as part of a long loop. Although Ripley Falls can be reached by a much shorter and easier trail stemming from US 302 (see Ripley Falls chapter), this can make for an excellent full-day journey in the mountains. If you would like to do this loop, backtrack to the junction with the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail. Follow the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail north for 2.3 miles (making sure to take a left after 1.1 miles at a junction with the Frankenstein Cliff Trail) and you will arrive at the base of Ripley Falls after crossing Avalanche Brook. To return to your car, return 1.5 miles to the junction of the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail and the Frankenstein Cliff Trail. Take a left onto the Frankenstein Cliff Trail and follow this moderately difficult trail 2.1 miles, passing several excellent viewpoints along the way, back to a parking lot on Arethusa Falls Rd. You will need to hike back up the short road if you parked at its end. The total distance of this loop is approximately 7.3 miles with approximately 2,250 feet of cumulative elevation gain (and loss).

Directions for this particular waterfall are not posted online. Please see directions in our published guidebook, New England Waterfalls: A Guide to More Than 400 Cascades And Waterfalls, or you can email us and we will happily provide them to you.

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