The solar eclipse is coming on April 8th! Learn more about where you can go to view the eclipse and other useful tips.

Thundering Falls

Hike along a boardwalk and trail to the sixth tallest waterfall in Vermont. At high water it is a magnificent 140-foot cascade through a steep and narrow cataract.
Trail Activity
Accessible Experience Walking Hiking
Length
0.30 miles, One Way
Difficulty
Easy
Town
Killington (VT)
Surface
Packed Earth/Dirt, Boardwalk/Bog Bridging
Pets
Permitted on leash
Fees
No

Description

Starting from the River Road parking area, this trail along a portion of the Appalachian Trail (AT) travels to Thundering Falls along a 900 foot, approximately 3.5 foot wide, boardwalk built by the Green Mountain Club. The boardwalk crosses over the Ottauquechee River and through the open Ottauquechee River floodplain. The trail then ascends to a viewing platform overlooking the Falls via an accessible switchback and spur trail built by the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps.

Thundering Falls is said to be the sixth tallest waterfall in Vermont. It is part of Kent Brook which flows out of Kent Pond just north of where the AT and the Long Trail split. At high water it is a magnificent cascade as the stream tumbles 140 feet through a steep and narrow cataract. The falls are also the site of a historic mill powered by the energy of the falling water.

From Thundering Falls, the AT continues its ascent to the west, through northern hardwood forest another 0.2 miles to Thundering Brook Road where a small parking lot can be found.

Other Information

Thundering Falls provides the first universal accessible portion of the Appalachian Trail in Vermont with wheelchair accessible parking on River Road in Killington. 

Trail Manager

Visit Green Mountain National Forest online for more information or contact:

Green Mountain National Forest: Supervisor's Office - Rutland

Green Mountain National Forest: Supervisor's Office - Rutland
231 North Main Street
Rutland, VT 05701
Phone: (802) 747-6700
View website

Trail Tips

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Be prepared for extreme weather. Bring rain/wind gear, warm clothing, and matches/fire starters.
Legend
Hide All

Trailhead Information

RIVER ROAD ACCESSIBLE PARKING (EAST END)
From where VT-100 and US-4 meet and intersect with Killington Road in Killington, drive 2 miles east on VT-100/US-4, then turn left on River Road. Go 1.6 miles north on River Road to the parking lot on the left.

THUNDERING BROOK ROAD PARKING (WEST END)
From where VT-100 and US-4 meet and intersect with Killington Road in Killington, drive 0.4 miles east on VT-100/US-4, then turn left on Thundering Brook Road. Go 1.4 miles on Thundering Brook Road to the parking lot on the left.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
These awesome businesses support our goal of connecting people to outdoor adventures!
Hang Tight!
Nearby services are loading
No Results
No Services Found
SHARE THIS TRAIL

Add Trail Log

Please wait…
Join In on the Fun!
Log in or create an account below to unlock all the great features of Trail Finder: keep track of trails you want to do, preserve memories of trails you’ve done, earn badges, and more!
Your log in attempt was not successful. Please try again.
    Lost your password? Reset your password
    Don't yet have an account?
    There was an issue with your submission. Please try again.
      * Indicates required field
      Already have an account? Login here
      Enter your username, and we will send you a new, randomly generated password to your email account.
      There was an issue with your submission. Please try again.

        Success! A new password has been emailed to you.

        Log in now

        Please wait…