You get more than just a prized waterfall when you visit Zealand Falls. Along the linking trails, there are scenic marshlands, a mountain body of water, known as Zealand Pond, and the Zealand Hut, a convenient hiker hut managed by the Appalachian Mountain Club just above the falls. With drinks (lemonade!), food, and lodging reservation available, the Zealand Hut makes both a great year-round rest-stop and an overnight accommodation. Reservations are recommended for those wishing to stay overnight, but be sure to check out the Hut (or any other of the huts within the AMC’s system) even if you are just a day visitor. We are sure you will find the structure interesting and the employees inviting, friendly, and full of great outdoor advice. During the morning hours on a sunny day, light hits the front of the rock faces of Zealand Falls, illuminating the top of the waterfall. The lower part of the fall is tucked a few feet inside a narrow flume, but is visible upon closer inspection. The sound of the water drowns out any other sounds. A smaller four foot waterfall is below the main attraction. At the base of this smaller addition, there is a circular pool; it is not very deep, but it is fine for sitting or wading.

From the end of the last parking lot along Zealand Rd, follow the wide trail that immediately enters the woods. This path, the blue-blazed Zealand Trail, covers the first 2.5 miles of this trip. This trail, which is rated as easy side of moderate, is considerably easier once the muddy spring season ends. At mile 2.5, you will reach a major trail junction between the Zealand Trail, the trail known as the Twinway, and the Ethan Pond Trail. To visit Zealand Falls, take a right onto the Twinway. The falls are a short 0.2 mile climb up this trail, and the AMC Zealand Hut, only 250 feet further. Unless you happen to embark on this trail during the spring muddy season, traveling is extremely easy, with generous sections of flat, smooth hiking. Too add a few hours to your trip, add nearby Thoreau Falls to your itinerary. With Thoreau Falls, the trip grows to be a total of about 10 easy-going miles. This hike was one of the most pleasant half-day hikes we encountered while producing this guide. See the chapter on Thoreau Falls for more trail details.

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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