Arethusa Falls Out and Back

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

A nice and mellow hike that is great for families. The three mile round trip to the falls makes for a pleasant outing.

The trail starts at the top of a short road off Route 302, across railroad tracks. Right from the beginning, it's very easy to follow the blue blazes that mark the trail. Expect a fairly consistent and steady uphill over plenty of rocks and roots. At 0.1 miles, you have the option to take the Bemis Brook Trail, which rejoins the Arethusa Falls Trail at 0.6 miles. At 1.3 miles, the trail intersects the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail. Continue to the left for Arethusa Falls, climbing a steeper set of steps before descending to the falls.

The trail is challenging no doubt, but it's also short enough that families and kids can accomplish it. It's also a good trail for hiking with dogs. Dogs are recommended to be leashed, but not required.

It takes about an hour from the trailhead to the falls at a moderate pace. Generally, the air temperature at the falls is refreshingly cooler than the rest of the trail.

Note: There's not much room at the falls, and we found it to be quite crowded because it is a reasonable trail for families, and we used it on a holiday weekend. There is a reasonable amount of elevation gain, and although short enough to be completed by families and small children, consider proper footwear for hiking over rocky trail versus a flat path.