Of all the adventures to be had here in New Hampshire our favorites are the ones that feel a bit hidden. There are plenty of hikes, waterfalls, road trips and restaurants that come to mind when people mention the Granite State, but for each of those there are even more lesser-known things to see. And that might be what we love best about this state. The next time you want to explore something you've never seen before consider making the trip to this waterfall hidden within the White Mountains.
There are plenty of hikes and waterfalls to see in the White Mountains, but there's something about Thompson Falls which is located near the base of the Wildcat Mountain Ski Area that's extra-special.
Thompson Fall is a 150 foot seven-tiered cascading waterfall that many people overlooked until 2011 when the Thompson Falls Trail was officially created.
Today, the 1-mile out-and-back route leads through the forest and directly to the falls.
But first, you'll need to find the trailhead. Park in the ski area parking lot and walk behind the building. Here you'll find a few stairs heading toward a small river. From here you'll see the sign down there for the trail.
Once you begin the trail you'll see just why this is such a great hike! Along the way you'll find streams, rocks and all the greenery you might expect of a New Hampshire outdoor excursion.
As you get closer to Thompson Falls you'll begin to hear the water. You can expect it to be especially rushing after a strong rain storm or in the early spring when mountain snow melts.
Some of the waterfall plunges are more than 20-feet making this a sight to behold. Plus, this trail sees far less foot traffic than other nearby waterfalls so you can enjoy this one quietly.
Once you've reached the falls you'll probably want to spend some time here. There's even a small swimming hole at the base of the lower falls.
Splash around, eat a snack and then head back to your car the same way you came. The trail is simple, beautiful and makes for a special way to get some fresh air in the White Mountains.
The Thompson Falls Trail is an easy way to reach the waterfall. You can learn more about the route on alltrails.com. And, of course, there's still nothing wrong with the more popular spots! The almost perfect sights and sounds of the Flume Gorge Trail in New Hampshire will be a memory you won't forget!
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