Moss Glen Falls
Moss Glen Falls Road
Stowe, VT
A ribbon of water sliding and free-falling down a mossy rock face in a narrow glen, one of the tallest and prettiest waterfalls in Vermont, minutes from Stowe village.
Moss Glen Falls near Stowe is among the tallest and most photographed waterfalls in Vermont, a graceful drop where a small stream slides and free-falls down a moss-covered rock face into a narrow glen. A short trail from the parking area brings you to the base with very little effort, which is a big part of its popularity.
Tucked into the hills just outside Stowe village and below Mount Mansfield, the falls feel like a cool green pocket of forest. It is not the sort of thundering giant found out west, but its height, its setting, and its easy access make it one of the loveliest short waterfall walks in the state. Note that Vermont has a second Moss Glen Falls in Granville; this is the Stowe one.
What Guests Love
- A tall, elegant cascade dropping through a mossy, fern-lined glen
- A short walk that delivers a big waterfall for little effort
- The cool, green, sheltered feel of the narrow gorge
- An easy add-on to a Stowe visit and the Mount Mansfield area
Worth Knowing
- There are two Moss Glen Falls in Vermont; this is the one near Stowe
- The lower trail is short but can be wet, muddy, and rooty, so wear good footing
- Upper viewpoints involve steep, eroded scrambling; take care and stay back from edges
- Spring and after rain give the fullest flow; late summer can run thinner
Details
Stowe, VT
Learn about Moss Glen Falls
How the falls formed
Moss Glen Falls drops where the stream meets a resistant band of rock and pours over it into a narrow cleft. Over long spans of time, running water wears away weaker rock faster than harder rock, and where a durable ledge sits above softer stone, a waterfall develops and slowly cuts back into the slope.
The narrow, shaded glen keeps the rock damp and cool, which is why moss and ferns cloak the walls and give the falls its name. The constant spray sustains a lush micro-world of moisture-loving plants.
The height comes from the steep terrain of the Green Mountain foothills, where streams tumbling off the high ground create a series of drops and cascades like this one.
The walk to the water
From the trailhead, a short path leads through the woods to a view of the falls at the base, an easy outing suitable for a quick stop. This lower viewpoint is the safe, popular one and gives a fine look at the full cascade.
More ambitious visitors sometimes climb steep, eroded side paths for higher views, but these routes are slick, unstable, and genuinely hazardous near the drop-offs, and they have led to accidents at Vermont waterfalls. The lower view is the sensible reward.
Because it is so accessible and close to a resort town, the falls can be busy on nice weekends, so an early or weekday visit finds it quieter.
Life in the glen
The moist, sheltered glen is rich in mosses, liverworts, and ferns, and the surrounding forest of maple, birch, and evergreen is classic Green Mountain woodland alive with songbirds.
Cool, clean mountain streams like this one support amphibians and aquatic insects, and the shade and spray create a refuge that stays green and damp even in dry spells.
It is a place that rewards a slow look at the small scale, the textures of wet rock and moss, as much as the sweep of the falls itself.
Season by season
Spring runs highest, fed by snowmelt and rain, when the falls are fullest and most dramatic.
Summer is green and inviting, though flow can drop in a dry spell; the shaded glen stays cool on hot days.
Fall frames the falls in foliage for a memorable scene, while winter can turn the cascade to ice, beautiful but with slick, dangerous trails that demand caution or avoidance.
Closest Boutels
The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.
Things to Do Near Stowe
Stowe village
About 3 miles, a 8 minute drive
A picturesque resort village with the tall-spired Stowe Community Church, shops, and dining.
Mount Mansfield
About 8 miles, a 20 minute drive
Vermont's highest peak, with a toll road, gondola, and alpine hiking along its distinctive ridgeline.
Trapp Family Lodge
About 5 miles, a 12 minute drive
The Austrian-style resort founded by the von Trapp family of Sound of Music fame, with trails and views.