Song, Fall of

From Moultonborough, drive north on Route 109 for six-tenths of a mile, then turn right (east) onto Route 109. Follow Route 109 for 2.6 miles, then bear left onto Ossippee Park Road. Continue for another 1.3 miles to the first of two large parking areas at the broad grass fields in Ossipee Park and park where space is available (the second is closer to Castle in the Clouds). Consult the trail maps and cross the fields toward Shannon Pond, then find the Shannon Brook trail and begin hiking downstream. Fall of Song is reached after about three-quarters of a mile of easy walking. An alternate (and shorter) approach to the falls is available from the entrance to Castle in the Clouds via Pamela’s Terrace Road, however an entrance fee is charged to approach from that side.The Fall of Song is the final and largest of seven named waterfalls found along Shannon Brook within the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area. The falls drop 42 feet into a narrow grotto flanked with sheer blocky cliffs and a pleasant rocky streambed below. The falls are overlooked by a well-constructed boardwalk which provides easy access for visitors of all capabilities (when approaching from the lower trailhead at least). Shannon Brook drains from a basin on the south and east flanks of Mount Roberts and Faraway Mountain, covering an area of about 2 square miles. Other than Shannon Pond there does not appear to be any permanent standing water feeding the stream, and while it does retain a modest flow for the summer, the streamflow should be expected to drop off considerably in periods of drought.According to Moses Sweeter's guide, the falls were once known as Ossipee Falls.