Join us for a fall foliage hike through Zealand Notch.  We will visit the Zealand Falls AMC Hut near Zealand Falls for lunch, than continue through the notch on the old Zealand Valley Railroad bed leading to Thoreau Falls, an 80 foot cascade and slide waterfall.

• Total distance: 9.4 miles
• Elevation gain: 700 feet
• Hiking pace: moderate / sight-seeing
• Duration: 6 hours (book time excluding lunch), may vary with a large group
• Difficulty: easy to moderate, long hiking distance

First, we will follow the Zealand Trail from the Zealand Road parking lot.  This 2.6 mile leg will comprise 650 ft. of the 700 ft. of elevation gain we will do.  It will gradually climb into the notch passing several beaver ponds and lead to a steep, but short, climb to the hut where we will have lunch.  After lunch we will back-track a quarter mile than follow the Ethan Pond Trail to Thoreau Falls Trail.  This 2.1 mile leg will be very flat following an old railroad grade which passes an interesting boulder field and several views of the valley.  The waterfall will be a short distance once we turn onto the Thoreau Falls Trail.  There we will have a small break to enjoy the upper part of the falls and to bushwhack for a view of the lower falls if desired.  We will than return by the way we came. 

Please bring a lunch and plenty of water.  The AMC hut sometimes has food items for sale, carrying some cash may be desired.  Sturdy footwear is recommended along with clothes for the fall mountain weather we may encounter.

Zealand Road should be open at the time of the hike, but it has a very remote chance of closing due to serious weather conditions (fluke snowstorm, heavy rains).  You will be d if this occurs.

Feel free to e-mail WalkaboutBrian with any questions.  More information will be sent to those signed up shortly before the trip.

From the west:  From Interstate 93 take exit 35 onto US Route 3 and drive 9.8 miles to US 302.  Turn right onto US 302 and drive 2.2 miles.  Turn right onto the gated Zealand Road at the federal campground/picnic area than follow the road 3.5 miles to a parking lot at the end.

From the east:  From the junction of US 16 and US 302 in Glen (above North Conway) follow US 302 west for 26.6 miles to Zealand Road.  Turn left onto the gated Zealand Road at the federal campground/picnic area than follow the road 3.5 miles to a parking lot at the end.

There may be a $3 parking fee paid by using an envelope and iron ranger.