March Cataract Falls Hike
Waterfall · about 30 ft high | Massachusetts
1.6 mi round trip
March Cataract Falls Hike at a Glance
The March Cataract Falls hike via the March Cataract Trail is 1.6 mi round trip.
| Falls height | About 30 ft |
|---|---|
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 2,330 ft |
| Trail | March Cataract Trail |
| Distance | 1.6 mi round trip |
Your time: about 30 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 40 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 300 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 1.6 mi distance for this hike is verified (mass.gov), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About March Cataract Falls
March Cataract Falls is a waterfall in Massachusetts, about 30 feet high, on land managed by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (Mount Greylock State Reservation). Its height is from newenglandwaterfalls.com.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the March Cataract Trail: 1.6 miles round trip, from Sperry Road (Mount Greylock campground area). Distance from mass.gov.
Before You Go
- Dogs are allowed, and owners must bring proof of rabies vaccination. (newenglandwaterfalls.com)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (Mount Greylock State Reservation) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to March Cataract Falls?
The March Cataract Trail to March Cataract Falls is 1.6 miles round trip.
Where does the March Cataract Falls hike start?
It starts from Sperry Road (Mount Greylock campground area).
How tall is March Cataract Falls?
March Cataract Falls is about 30 feet high.
Are dogs allowed on the March Cataract Falls trail?
Dogs are allowed, and owners must bring proof of rabies vaccination.
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 March Cataract Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- mass.gov
- Distance
- mass.gov
- Falls height
- newenglandwaterfalls.com
- Falls location
- worldwaterfalldatabase.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 March Cataract Falls.