#Exploring Purgatory Falls, NH

So Pat and I got into hiking last fall, and we ended up exploring trails and places we never knew existed.  We discovered the app AllTrails, which helped us find dozens of hiking trails near us (plus it helps us not get lost in the woods haha). As Thanksgiving rolled around in 2017, Pat did a little research and told me that we should check out this hike he found with waterfall views before our holiday dinner (it was on the way to our destination).

As the actual day approached, I opted out as I realized being all sweaty at a big family dinner isn’t the best look. We ended up a state park close to home so we could shower and such before the get-together.

Fast forward almost a WHOLE YEAR LATER, we finally made it to Purgatory Falls Trail. There are just so many great places in our very own backyard to explore that we never ventured up to New Hampshire to seek it out. Located on the Lyndeborough-Mont Vernon line, this approximately 6 mile (round trip), out and back path should have been on my list sooner! It features three waterfalls and is good for all skill levels.

This dog-friendly path is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and nature trips. The hike was kind of a last minute idea and the sunset, unfortunately, was at  5:45pm so we only had a chance to check out the first of the three falls. The trail was a bit hard to see as it was narrow and covered with fallen leaves, but once we realize it hugged along Purgatory Brook the whole way, we soon had our bearings. Pat assured me to just follow the sound of water to find the right way. The lower fall is not too far into the trail (about 1/5 mile) but we read the next two were quite a bit away, so we decided to check you the first waterfall and then just hike until our clocks told us we needed to turn back around.

We only made it a scant 2.2 miles in an hour since we spent a lot of time looking at the fall and taking pictures. It really is quite beautiful and the autumn backdrop was a nice touch. As soon as I heard the unmistakable sound of water rushing down the fall, I couldn’t help but skip up the hill toward the lower fall. As soon as I saw it, I exclaimed, “Oh we are deeeefinately coming back when we have more time to see all THREE!”

Now that I’ve gotten a taste for this scenery, I’m itching to get back and see the rest. In researching for this blog, I found out some really neat info from an article in The Nashua Telegraph.  This area was “once a picnic area with a bandstand, dancing platform, bowling alley and “other facilities”. It’s hard to believe that at its dedication in August 1889,  more than 2,000 people attended …..and until World War I, one weekend each August was known as Purgatory Picnic Day with up to 1,500 attendees! Read that article for more great history.

I read that many groups tend to leave a car at one end and just walk one way. We found the terrain easy enough that we will just hike to the end and turn around when we return.  I think it was well worth the hour drive for us and I will make it a point to get back out there before the winter fully sets in. Anyone interested in also going on this hike, I highly suggest good waterproof boots as it is very muddy in some areas.

I’ve now declared to Pat that if we are to ever move, our next house will also be near hiking or biking trails. If you share our sentiment and need to find a home near a trail, TEXT “TRAILS” to 617-939-4613 and we can keep an eye open for properties near your desired areas. Not only can we help you in Massachusetts and New Hampshire but we have team members in all 50 states!

I hope you take the journey out to see at least the lower fall, I promise to post more pictures when we return. For now….

Much love lovely people ✌️ Alana