Thundering Brook Falls Trail

Thundering Brook Falls Trail

Green Mountain National Forest Killington, Vermont 05751

Official Website
Thundering Falls recreation guide and map
Long Trail website

About this Location

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 Appalachian Trail 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.

The Green Mountain Club, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Green Mountain National Forest have worked on this project since the mid-1980s when they acquired a property easement across the Ottauquechee floodplain. Major funding was secured by the ATC and the Green Mountain Club and Vermont Youth Conservation Corps began work in 2005. Thundering Falls provides the first universally accessible portion of the Appalachian Trail in Vermont with wheelchair-accessible parking on River Road in Killington. The Thundering Falls relocation also gets rid of a dusty road walk on Thundering Brook Road, adds great views of the Ottauquechee Valley and the falls, protects the resource, and takes advantage of flat terrain to make a stretch of the AT accessible to people who use wheelchairs.

Starting from the River Road parking area the Appalachian Trail passes through an open Ottauquechee River floodplain across 900 feet of boardwalk built by the Green Mountain Club. The trail then ascends to the falls viewing platform via an accessible switchback and spur trail built by the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. From here the AT continues its ascent through the northern hardwood forest to Thundering Brook Road where a small parking lot can be found.

About Long Trail

See all hotspots at Long Trail

Vermont’s Long Trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont line to the Canadian border. Built between 1910 and 1930, it was the vision of James P. Taylor and later became the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail. The Long Trail and Appalachian Trail share 100 miles of trail in the southern part of the state.

On the Long Trail, hikers encounter the best natural features Vermont has to offer, including pristine ponds, alpine sedges, hardwood forests, and swift streams. Known as the “footpath in the wilderness,” it is easy in a few sections and rugged in most. Steep inclines and plenty of mud present hikers with plenty of challenges.

As maintainer and protector of the Long Trail, the Green Mountain Club works in partnership with the Green Mountain National Forest, the State of Vermont, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and private landowners to offer a world-class hiking trail.

The Long Trail is truly the trail for everyone. Each year, hundreds of thru-hikers set out to complete the trail in one go, a journey that has been completed in under 5 days but typically takes multiple weeks. Section hikers tackle the trail in bursts, often completing the Long Trail over the course of many years.

Hikers who hike every mile of the Long Trail, whether in day trips, multi-day sections, or all at once, are called “End-to-Enders” and are eligible to register for inclusion in the GMC’s official records.

Most trail users are day hikers, who enjoy desired destinations as day trips without camping out on the trail.

Notable Trails

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at Thundering Brook Falls.

Features

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Restrooms on site

  • Entrance fee

Content from Official Website and Long Trail website

Last updated October 7, 2023