We Did the Research, This Is Officially the Most Bizarre Hiking Trail Name in New Hampshire

Who wants to go on a hike with a name that sounds like a recipe for disaster? Why would you want to turn people away from using a trail? This is why hikes are often named something that leaves a positive implication, or a neutral one at least. Certainly, there are fewer hikes with names that are deliberately meant to leave a negative impression, because otherwise, why would a state keep up the maintenance for the area? Well, New Hampshire clearly has much to answer for with the Purgatory Brook Trail.

This trail leads to Purgatory Falls and is also on the Purgatory Reservation because obviously, someone wanted to get the message across. However, the irony is that it is still unknown why these places were given these names. In the Catholic religion, purgatory is where souls who can’t enter heaven yet reside to be cleansed of their sins. In modern times, the meaning of the word outside of religious uses has evolved to include referring to a state of misery. But, just as it’s supposed to mean in religious use, both are meant to be temporary states. 

Relating the word to the hike does work for the temporary aspect of the term. A hike is temporary, something you go through for a little bit and come out the other side with a sense of accomplishment (ideally). However, the word falls flat when it comes to the misery aspect, because although the hike may be tiring for some, it is considered to be quite a stunning hike and is very popular, often used more than once in a local’s lifetime. 

The Purgatory Brook Trail is a forested out-and-back trail just over five miles long that takes under two hours to complete. Part of the Purgatory Reservation, it sits near the towns of Wilton and Mont Vernon and is popular mainly due to its multiple waterfalls. The Upper Falls and Middle Falls are only a short walk from each other, but the Lower Falls are found on the other side of the trail. Luckily, the creek follows the path for most of your journey, and you’re able to hear the sound of rushing water amidst birds chirping for some truly peaceful ambiance. Parking is free, and leashed dogs are welcome on the path, but it’s important to note that the path is not ADA accessible for multiple reasons. 

How challenging the hike can be depends on the time of year. Summer and autumn are most popular for the temperature and lack of mud. However, spring can be tricky, since the trail is very near water for most of the hike, and flooding is very common. Winter is considered to be even trickier, with ice sneakily hidden under freshly fallen snow. However, this can all be handled with the right equipment, mainly a sturdy pair of boots and some pikes and poles for when there’s ice. 

When visiting this hike, you’ll have to decide for yourself whether or not it lives up to its unusual name. Maybe you’ll come to the conclusion that whoever named it must have done it as a joke, because it’s too beautiful and peaceful to be named in a negative way. Or, perhaps you’ll find this trail is truly challenging enough to qualify it for purgatory’s “miserable” status. Or maybe you think we’re overreacting and there are hikes with far more confusing names. If so, use our nomination form and tell us all about it!

For even more hiking inspiration, take a look at this list of our favorite hiking trails in New Hampshire.