Profile Falls

Length: 0.3 miles out-and-back

Difficulty (click for info): Beginner

Elevation Gain: 0 feet

Rating (click for info): 6/10

Height: 20'

River: Smith River

Driving Directions:
Trailhead and parking area are on Mountain Hill Road in Bristol, NH. Take Profile Falls Road from Rt. 3A 2.0 miles south of Rt. 104 in the center of Bristol and 10.0 miles north of Rt. 11. Turn right onto Mountain Hill Road in 0.2 miles (indicated by a sign for Profile Falls). The parking area is on the right in 0.1 miles, just before the bridge. Trailhead and parking area are on Kancamagus Highway in Albany, NH (summit is in Waterville Valley). The parking area is on the south side of the road, 21.0 miles east of Rt. 93 at exit 32 in Lincoln and 14.2 miles west of Rt. 16 in Conway. It is signed for Downes Brook, UNH, and Mt. Potash Trails. Click here for a Google map.

About the Hike:
Profile Falls is a short, wide waterfall on the Smith River, just upstream of where it meets the Pemigewasset. Its size and beauty are impressive for its close proximity to a populated area. It is also an easy walk, accessible via a very short, wide dirt path. The enormous size of the waterfall immediately overwhelms you when you first see it. It is not very tall, but few other waterfalls in New Hampshire can match its impressive volume. It is made up of two main drops, each about 10 feet, and there is a very large pool at the base. The waterfall can be viewed from the top by walking through the woods.

Printable directions page