Family playing near a waterfall in a lush, green setting.

Moss Glen Falls

The Moss Glen Falls hike is a short, scenic hike to a spectacular waterfall, and is only about a 5-minute drive from Stowe’s historic Village. For most people, the highlight of this hike is the actual Moss Glen Falls, which is only about a quarter-mile from the trail head.

Waterfall surrounded by autumn trees and rocks.
Skill Level

 Easy

Type

 Waterfall hike

Distance

0.6 – 4.2 miles

Time

20 minutes (to falls & back), 2-3 hours (full hike)

Climb

150’ (falls & back), 613’ (full hike)

Trailhead Location

369-615 Moss Glen Falls Rd, Stowe, VT 05672. From the historic village, take route 100 North 3 miles and bear right onto Randolph Road. The first road on the right is Moss Glen Falls Road. Proceed about a half-mile to a small parking area on the left. Follow the trail signs. 

Waterfall cascading through lush forest greenery.

The trail signage is limited, but the trail is quite obvious by following the brook upstream to the falls from the parking area. The trail comes to a fork and hikers can either go left up the steeper rooty climb to the perfect location to take some photos of the falls, or to the right to follow the outer edge of the river to the base of the falls. Be careful at the falls—loose debris at the edge of the trail can be slippery and dangerous. Inexperienced hikers should stay to the left above the falls. Moss Glen Falls is the tallest waterfall in Vermont, cascading 85 feet!  

The rest of the route follows an old woods road. At about the 1.5-mile mark (just after a wooden bridge), this road turns left and begins a steep ascent, which actually reaches a viewless summit after the end of the marked route and connects to the VAST snowmobile trail. Be sure to follow the correct trail back. 

Additional hiking resources

Flip through the full Stowe Hiking Guide, or continue to browse other local hikes.