Georgiana and Harvard Falls

Length: 2.4 miles out-and-back

Difficulty (click for info): Hard

Elevation Gain: 790 feet (+10 feet on return)

Rating (click for info): 7/10

Height: 30' (Georgiana) and 200' (Harvard)

River: Harvard Brook

Driving Directions:
Trailhead and parking area are at the end of Georgiana Falls Road in Lincoln, NH. To get there, take Hanson Farm Road from the west side of Rt. 3, 0.3 miles north of Rt. 93 at exit 33. Drive 0.1 miles, then continue straight onto Georgiana Falls Road. Continue another 0.1 miles to the end of the road and park on the right, in a small pull-off. Click here for a Google map.

About the Hike:
The obscure and scenic Georgiana Falls are an easy but relatively unknown hiking destination. The multitudes of cascades in addition to this 30-foot waterfall are very rewarding for the little effort required. Beyond Georgiana lies the wild Harvard Falls, one of the largest and most majestic waterfalls in the White Mountains, which, until recently, was reached only by unblazed herd paths. The hike to Harvard Falls is much more difficult.

The trail to Georgiana Falls begins at an underpass below Rt. 93. Start hiking on Georgiana Falls Path, which begins on a snowmobile trail. Just after the underpass, turn right to leave the snowmobile trail. Georgiana Falls Path now follows an old road, soon crossing under the other lane of the highway. After 0.4 miles on the old road, bear left onto the hiking trail. Soon, the trail joins the brook and follows it to an unnamed waterfall. It crosses a dry stream, then continues along the side of Harvard Brook, now a continuous chain of cascades. In a short distance, the trail leads out onto open rock and climbs to the official Georgiana Falls, a beautiful pair of water slides cascading into a pool. This is 0.3 miles from the old road.

The trail again enters the woods. This portion of the trail is more difficult to follow, as it is no more than a recently blazed herd path. The trail climbs very steeply high above the brook. You can glimpse the cascades in the brook far below. After a short but rough climb, you will see Harvard Falls ahead. From here, you can see the center of the waterfall through the trees. To get to the base of the falls, you must descend a steep bank. At the bottom, there is a good viewpoint of Harvard Falls, but not all of this massive cataract is visible, so the trail continues its steep ascent up the hill. After another relentless climb, the trail ends at a viewpoint of the uppermost plunge on Harvard Falls, 0.4 miles from Georgiana Falls. You may end your journey here with the trail, but it is worthwhile to follow an obscure herd path to the top of the waterfall. There, next to a small cascade, you can look out over Rt. 93 and Loon Mountain.

Printable directions page