It is located in the towns of Bethlehem and Lincoln, near the northeastern corner of the Pemigewasset Wilderness.

The center of the notch is traversed by hiking trails and is approximately 2 miles (3 km) from the nearest road.

Similarly to Crawford Notch to the east, the main body of Zealand Notch comprises a steep-walled, U-shaped valley running southwards from the height of land.

The notch lies between Whitewall Mountain (3,405 ft./1,038 m.) to the east and Zeacliff (approx.

From the west, the trail (paired with the Twinway trail) descends from Zeacliff past Zealand Falls (a long series of smooth granite ledges ending in a 50-foot (15 m) drop over vertical granite) and Zealand Falls Hut to the center of the notch.