Thundering Falls Hike
Waterfall | Vermont
0.6 mi round trip
19 ft
Easy
Thundering Falls Hike at a Glance
The Thundering Falls hike via the Appalachian Trail (Thundering Falls boardwalk) is 0.6 mi round trip with 19 ft of elevation gain.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 1,210 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Appalachian Trail (Thundering Falls boardwalk) |
| Distance | 0.6 mi round trip |
| Elevation gain | 19 ft |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Your time: about 15 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed). A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 120 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 0.6 mi distance and 19 ft of gain for this hike are verified (trailfinder.info), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Thundering Falls
Thundering Falls is a waterfall in Vermont, on land managed by Green Mountain National Forest (Appalachian Trail; built by Green Mountain Club).
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Appalachian Trail (Thundering Falls boardwalk): 0.6 miles round trip with about 19 feet of elevation gain, from River Road accessible parking (east end). Distance from trailfinder.info; elevation gain from appalachiantrail.org. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Easy.
Before You Go
- There is no fee for the trail. (trailfinder.info)
- Dogs are permitted on leash. (trailfinder.info)
- This stretch of the Appalachian Trail is built to ADA/ABA accessibility specifications, with wheelchair-accessible parking on River Road in Killington. (appalachiantrail.org)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Green Mountain National Forest (Appalachian Trail; built by Green Mountain Club) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Thundering Falls?
The Appalachian Trail (Thundering Falls boardwalk) to Thundering Falls is 0.6 miles round trip with about 19 feet of elevation gain.
Where does the Thundering Falls hike start?
It starts from River Road accessible parking (east end).
Is there a fee to hike to Thundering Falls?
There is no fee for the trail.
Are dogs allowed on the Thundering Falls trail?
Dogs are permitted on leash.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Thundering Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- trailfinder.info
- Distance
- trailfinder.info
- Falls location
- appalachiantrail.org
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Thundering Falls.