| Falling Waters Trail Information |
Falling Waters Trail takes you up to the summit of Little Haystack Mountain, and Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette if you continue to the Franconia Ridge Trail / Appalachian Trail, then over to Old Bridle Path. Also along Falling Waters Trail are stunning waterfalls. The most popular one is Cloudland Waterfall at an 80 foot height, this waterfall is a fan-type horsetail. The beauty of this waterfall comes from its fan shape, measuring roughly 2 feet at the top, and 25 feet at the bottom. It can be seen right from the trail, but you can also step off the trail a bit to get a closer look. It takes 1.4 miles to reach the Cloudland Falls.
Stairs Falls is another waterfall along Falling Waters Trail. This waterfall is the first one seen on the trail, and typically the least crowded because you must step off the trail a bit to see it best. It takes roughly 0.8 miles to reach Stairs Falls.
Just a couple hundred feet above Stairs Falls is Swiftwater Falls. It is a 60 foot waterfall with cascades and plunges. This waterfall is right on the trail, so if foot traffic is heavy, it might be hard to find a great viewing spot. It takes 0.9 miles to reach Swiftwater Falls.
| Falling Waters Trail Directions |
To get to Falling Waters Trail by foot:
Hike up the Falling Waters Trail from the Lafayette Place Parking Lot. It is a 3 mile hike up to the summit of Little Haystack Mountain, but the waterfalls can all be seen before the summit along the trail.
To get to the Lafayette Place Parking Area:
The parking lot for this hike is located in Franconia Notch on I-93. You can park on either side of the Interstate, because there is a foot tunnel connecting the two.
If you are traveling North on I-93
Take the first exit after The Basin. After passing The Basin's parking lot, you will see a sign for Trailhead parking 1/4 mile, this is where you should park.
If you are traveling South on I-93
Take the first exit after 34B called Lafayette Place Campground Trailhead Parking. To begin the hike, follow the foot tunnel under I-93 to the parking lot on the opposite side of the highway.
| Falling Waters Trail Photos |
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Cloudland Falls |
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Stairs Falls |
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Another fall along Falling Waters Trail |
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