The Cataracts Hike
Waterfall · about 70 ft high | Maine
0.7 mi round trip
The Cataracts Hike at a Glance
The Cataracts hike via the Cataracts Trail is 0.7 mi round trip.
| Falls height | About 70 ft |
|---|---|
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 1,230 ft |
| Trail | Cataracts Trail |
| Distance | 0.7 mi round trip |
Your time: about 15 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed). A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 130 kcal. No elevation gain is published for this route, so climbing time isn’t included.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 0.7 mi distance for this hike is verified (mainetrailfinder.com), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About The Cataracts
The Cataracts is a waterfall in Maine, about 70 feet high, on land managed by Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (Mahoosuc Public Reserved Land). Its height is from newenglandwaterfalls.com.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Cataracts Trail: 0.7 miles round trip, from Cataracts Trail parking on East B Hill Road. Distance from mainetrailfinder.com.
Before You Go
- Use caution near any overlook along the trail, since soils and rocks may be wet and slippery. (mainetrailfinder.com)
- A wooden fence runs along the edge of the very steep gorge to keep visitors away from the edge. (newenglandwaterfalls.com)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (Mahoosuc Public Reserved Land) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to The Cataracts?
The Cataracts Trail to The Cataracts is 0.7 miles round trip.
Where does The Cataracts hike start?
It starts from Cataracts Trail parking on East B Hill Road.
How tall is The Cataracts?
The Cataracts is about 70 feet high.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Cataracts Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- mainetrailfinder.com
- Distance
- mainetrailfinder.com
- Falls height
- newenglandwaterfalls.com
- Falls location
- waterfallhikes.com
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of The Cataracts.