If there was some equation matching beauty per foot of height for waterfalls, Waterville Cascades, or The Cascades, as some call them, would certainly surface as a contender for the top title. The main cascades here may be small, at 18 feet of height, but in that short distance, Cascade Brook manages to astonish every visitor with its breathtaking treasure. This main waterfall begins as a horsetail, quickly descending to a temporary platform of rock at the midway point. From here, the waters converge and fans out in an uprising chute, similar to a ski-jump. The waters land in an attractive golden pool below. Close to four-feet deep, the pool is a fine specimen of cold-mountain water. Take a dip if you dare, but be warned that the water temperature is not substantially warmer than freezing for all but a few days of the year. Above the main falls, reachable by continuing up the trail, are various other splendid small falls and cascades. Nearby, Avalanche Brook has its own small natural feature. The Norway Rapids, a short side trip off Cascade Path, is a long chain of cascades of clear whitewater. Although the rapids lack the stunning personality of Waterville Cascades, Norway Rapids is still worth the miniscule effort required to reach them.

The trail to this waterfall has significantly changed since the first edition, although the trailhead remains the same. The trail to the falls begins at the bottom of Cascade Ridge Rd. From here walk uphill on this paved road for about 750 feet, at which point you will enter the woods on your left, marked by a “Trail” sign. Continue walking uphill and you will soon reach a sign pointing right towards “Cascade Path.” Take this right, continuing uphill, where you will cross a paved road. Cross this road and continue climbing uphill on a ski trail. About 0.1 mile after crossing this road (at this point, you are about 0.4 mile from the parking area), take a left onto Cascade Path, marked by a sign and yellow blazes. From here, continue follow the yellow blazes for about 0.2 mile where you will reach a junction. The Cascade Path will continue straight and the Elephant Rock Trail will spur right. Stay straight on the Cascade Path and you will eventually reach a small wooden bridge. This point is about 1.2 mile from the parking lot. Bear right after crossing this 8-foot long bridge, and in 250 feet, you will reach the Norway Rapids Trail junction. Continue straight (do not cross this bridge) for the Waterville Cascades. The remainder of this walk parallels the brook. The main cascades are only 0.2 mile further from this point. There are several less significant but still pretty cascades and pools over the next 0.3 mile above the main cascade that are worth exploring as well. If you wish to visit the Norway Rapids—more cascades than rapids, if you ask us—return to the Cascade Path and Norway Rapids trail junction. Follow the Norway Rapids trail, also yellow-blazed, for 0.4 mile through the woods to Avalanche Brook, where the rapids will be clearly visible.

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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