Gretchen Stuppy CarlsonJust outside of Manchester, Vermont, the Lye Brook Falls Trail is a moderate wooden trail that leads to a beautiful 125 foot tall waterfall that hops and skips down a series of rock walls. This is one of the biggest waterfalls in VT and is a lovely walk.
I did this hike with my mom on a hot June afternoon and it took us just under 2 hours.
I’ve spent decades exploring family adventures, epic hikes, and National Parks across the world. For more inspiration, check out my National Parks Page or see some of my favorite destinations to plan your next adventure and make sure to join my weekly newsletter.
Quick Look at Lye Brook Falls Trail Hike
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation: 900 feet
Difficulty: moderate
Getting to the Trailhead
It actually took me a bit to find the trailhead as my map app kept sending me to a spot on the highway (not the trailhead. Make sure you enter Lye Book Falls Trailhead. This is on a small side road just outside of the town of Manchester.
Description of the Lye Brook Trail
The trail starts off with a gentle walk through the forest with very little elevation gain. There are a few views of the nearby stream but otherwise you are walking in the woods.
After about 15 minutes, the trail starts to ascend gradually at first and then steeper. There are no really steep sections, and the trail itself is wide with generally moderate walking.
About a half mile from the falls, the trail levels off again and traverses the edge of a hill before getting to the falls. There are several places to view the falls – make sure to be careful as the area right around the falls has dirt that is eroding.
Looking for more hiking and adventures around New England? Check out all our guides to Vermont.
