Purgatory Falls, Mont Vernon NH

• 4-star hike
• 1 to 5 mile options
• Easy & Moderate | Gain 60 to 430 feet
• Mont Vernon, NH | Merrimack Region
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The image shows a serene outdoor scene with a waterfall cascading over rocky ledges into a pool below. Surrounding the waterfall are lush green trees, indicating a forested area during spring or summer. On the right side, a person stands on a rock near the base of the waterfall, adding a sense of scale and human interest to the natural landscape.

1 Picturesque Lower Purgatory Falls.

Midway between the Southern New Hampshire towns of Lyndeborough and Mont Vernon, Purgatory Brook cuts a path through the granite on its way to the Souhegan River. Descending a total of 260 feet through the length of the Purgatory Falls preserve, the brook features several notable cascades and waterfalls along its route.

In mythology, Purgatory is a place of suffering between heaven and hell; or according to Dante it's where the soul is cleansed of all impurities. The water isn't deep enough to cleanse all of this hiker's impurities, but as this area was historically a tourist attraction and close to several Mont Vernon hotels, we suspect the dramatic naming is mostly likely an exercise in Victorian era marketing.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ Brook Trail 5.1 mi out & back, easy, gain 320 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

⬤ 3★ Old Dow Road 2.6 mi out & back, easy, gain 310 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

⬤ 3★ View Loop Trail 2.8 mi loop, easy, gain 430 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

⬤ 3★ Upper Falls Trail 0.5 mi out & back, moderate, gain 430 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

Trails in the preserve provides the waterfall hunter with options - from a very short walk to the Upper Falls, to the Brook Trail route that passes by all the waterfalls. We've mapped out these trails below, along with an intermediate route and a separate looping trail with distant mountain views. Also note that though classified as easy, these trails do become uneven and littered with rocks and roots close to the Upper Falls, and there are some minor rock scrambles for those wanting to get close to the falls. The falls put on the best shows after a period of wet weather.

The image is a triptych of three vertical photographs showcasing different scenes from a forested area with waterfalls. The left photograph displays a close-up view of water cascading through a narrow, rocky crevice with exposed tree roots at the top. The center photograph captures a small waterfall flowing over moss-covered rocks in a serene woodland setting. The right photograph features another section of the waterfall, seen from a distance, surrounded by dense forest foliage and fallen leaves on the ground.

2 Middle Falls, and the two tiers of 3 Upper Falls.

⬤ Brook Trail
Our favorite route in the preserve begins on its Southern border by Purgatory Road and leads initially to Lower Purgatory Falls - a broad and rocky thirty-foot cascade that we found to be the most scenic of the falls. Heading North, the trail remains easy going with only a marginal incline, mostly following very close to the water course. Avoid branching off onto an unmarked informal trail by staying close to the brook as you hike up.

The trail continues through mixed woodland for its complete length, eventually reaching the 25 foot funnel of Middle Falls. From here it's just a short distance to the two-tier Upper Falls which has a total height of sixty feet. We recommend exploring both ends of the Upper Falls to get the most out of the views on this hike. The trailhead directly off Purgatory Road is dirt and gravel and has spaces for around half a dozen vehicles.

⬤ Old Dow Road
This route eschews Lower Purgatory Falls for a shorter hike that leads to both the Middle and Upper Falls. Beginning at the end of the modern Dow Road, the route follows the old rocky road down to the brook. You may need to use our map to locate the beginning of this un-signposted trail. There's a large parking lot at the end of the paved Dow Road.

The image shows a vibrant landscape with a variety of elements. In the foreground, there is a field covered in yellow wildflowers and tall grasses. A few scattered trees with green foliage are present, one prominently in the center. The middle ground is bordered by dense forest with various shades of green. In the background, there are rolling hills and a mountain range under a partly cloudy sky.

North Pack Monadnock from the View Loop.

⬤ View Loop Trail
An alternative to the out-and-back Old Dow Road route, this loop trail adds a little more length and elevation gain, but pays off by offering a respite from the constant tree cover with a hilltop clearing and distant mountain views towards North Pack Monadnock. The view loop trails are mostly easy-going with relatively few rocks and roots.

⬤ Upper Falls Trail
For those looking to explore waterfalls but with less walking, the short journey from this trailhead to Upper Falls might be for you. The easy-going trail passes through light forest, but does require a stream crossing - either across the rocks or along a rickety footbridge in poor state of repair. The trailhead is located at the end of a 0.8 mile dirt road, with room for a couple of vehicles and nearby additional roadside parking.

The image shows a bright orange salamander on a dark, wet forest floor. The salamander is on a piece of wood surrounded by green moss and brown leaf litter. The vibrant contrast between the salamander’s color and the muted tones of its environment highlights the creature’s presence in its natural habitat.

A juvenile Eastern Newt hanging out on the Brook Trail.

Tangents:
• Trailspotting: Purgatory Falls on YouTube
• Official: PDF Map
• Public Map at AllTrails: Brook Trail, View Loop, Upper Falls
• Facebook Group: Follow or comment on this article

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