Purgatory Lower Falls
Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
- Access status
- Conserved land trail; short walk; roadside parking restricted
- The walk
- About half a mile each way
- Ground & access
- Mostly flat woodland trail, uneven with rocks and roots in places. Minor scrambles near the falls.
Lower Purgatory Falls is a broad 12 to 30 foot cascade on Purgatory Brook on the Mont Vernon and Lyndeborough line, on land conserved with the Souhegan Valley Land Trust. From the junction of NH 101 and NH 101A in Lyndeborough, take North River Road for just under a mile and continue onto Purgatory Road; the lot is on the left after about half a mile. Start at the far right of the lot on Purgatory Brook Trail and follow it close to the brook to the falls. Return the same way, or continue upstream to Middle and Upper Purgatory Falls.
Plan your visit
Purgatory Brook Trail from the Purgatory Road trailhead to Lower Purgatory Falls
Islands.com gives about half a mile, mostly flat, from the parking lot to Lower Purgatory Falls.
Mostly flat woodland trail, uneven with rocks and roots in places. Minor scrambles near the falls.
Where to start
Small dirt lot on Purgatory Road, for about half a dozen to ten vehicles. Lyndeborough has restricted roadside parking here because it blocks emergency vehicles.
Timing & water
Flow is best after wet weather.
Before you go
Trailspotting lists free parking. New England Waterfalls lists no cost.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Middle FallsConservation land trail beside the brookHillsborough County, NH1.7 miN
- Upper FallsConservation area trails to a gorge waterfallHillsborough County, NH1.9 miN
- Senter FallsLand trust loop trail; very small roadside parkingHillsborough County, NH5.7 miNW
- Bonner FallsHillsborough County, NH7.9 miW
- The FallsPartial guide: the exact trail and distance to the falls are not published5 ft (1.5 m) · Hillsborough County, NH8.9 miSE
- Wildcat FallsTown conservation area trail; short easy walk from the main lotHillsborough County, NH9.8 miE
- Brennan FallsConservation reserve trail; easy walkHillsborough County, NH11 miNW
- Trap FallsShort walk in a state forest; parking spot and fees unconfirmed10 ft (3 m) · Middlesex County, MA13 miS
- CascadesWorcester County, MA22 miS