Giant Falls Hike
Waterfall | New Hampshire
3 mi round trip
Giant Falls Hike at a Glance
The Giant Falls hike via the Peabody Brook Trail is 3 mi round trip.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 1,800 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Peabody Brook Trail |
| Distance | 3 mi round trip |
Your time: about 1 h of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 1 h 15 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 570 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 3 mi distance for this hike is verified (forestsociety.org), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Giant Falls
Giant Falls is a waterfall in New Hampshire, on land managed by Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (Peabody-Bald Cap Peak).
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Peabody Brook Trail: 3 miles round trip, from Peabody Brook Trail (North Road, Shelburne). Distance from forestsociety.org.
Before You Go
- Dogs are allowed. (newenglandwaterfalls.com)
- There is no parking lot, only roadside parking. (forestsociety.org)
- The last 0.3 miles on the spur trail is steep. (forestsociety.org)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (Peabody-Bald Cap Peak) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Giant Falls?
The Peabody Brook Trail to Giant Falls is 3 miles round trip.
Where does the Giant Falls hike start?
It starts from Peabody Brook Trail (North Road, Shelburne).
Are dogs allowed on the Giant Falls trail?
Dogs are allowed.
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 Giant Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- forestsociety.org
- Distance
- forestsociety.org
- 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 Giant Falls.