The Beaver Brook Trail, a challenging section of the Appalachian Trail, runs past set after set of unnamed cascades as it climbs several thousand feet to its termination at the summit of 4,223-foot tall Mt. Moosilauke. As you climb this steep and moderately difficult trail, the cascades seem to become more impressive, with the final cascade being our favorite. Nearly every classification of waterfall is represented along this chain of cascades, including horsetails, plunges, cascades and slides. It is for this reason, and more, that we highly recommend this hike. With the right combination of good weather, physical ability and time, you should also considering venturing further up the Beaver Brook Trail to the heavy wind-blown summit of Mt. Moosilauke, where outstanding 360-degree views await you. This 8-mile round trip hike is a true White Mountains classic.

Enter the woods behind the White Mountain National Forest billboard and the parking fee pay station. Begin following the white blazed Beaver Brook Trail, which is a rugged, steep stretch of the Appalachian Trail. About 0.1 mile from the parking area, you must cross over Beaver Brook twice over solidly-constructed footbridges. Continue along the trail for 0.3 mile to the bottom of the first falls. Once you reach these first falls, do not give up on this killer energy climb; more falls, with wonderfully differing character lie further ahead. Keep hiking uphill, very steeply at times, for as long as you are comfortable. Some of the most impressive cascades are those at the highest elevation. The cascades end 1.1 miles from the parking area. The entire trail is quite a calorie-burner. In just over a mile of hiking, you gain over 1200 feet of altitude. This may sound too difficult for your tastes, but as long as you do not attempt the hike in early spring, when the trail is soaked with waterfall mist and snow runoff, your trip to this waterfall should be manageable to those familiar with the challenging terrain of the White Mountains.

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.

Instead of just visiting the lovely cascades on Beaver Brook, venture to the summit of Mt. Moosilauke, where outstanding views of New Hampshire, Vermont, even New York on clear days, can be enjoyed. Expect rugged, steep terrain for the entire 3.8 miles from the trailhead to the 360-degree views of the 4802-foot tall mountain top. The altitude gain is 3100 feet and the expected round-trip time is about six hours for the average hiker. The final stretch of the trail is above tree-line, meaning you will be exposed to potential weather hazards any time of the year, including the notoriously strong wind currents. This is large and demanding mountain that should only be climbed during good-to-great weather conditions.