This Scenic 4.5-Mile Trail in the Green Mountain National Forest Is Worth the Incline

With its seemingly endless forests and rolling mountains, Vermont is a haven for hiking enthusiasts. One stand-out destination is Lye Brook Falls Trail, located in the Green Mountain National Forest. 

The Vermont hiking trail is roughly 4.5 miles out-and-back with an elevation gain of 925 feet, and it’s rated as moderately difficult. While the terrain can feel challenging at times, it’s worth it when you end up at one of Vermont’s highest waterfalls at 125 feet. Along the way, hikers are treated to towering evergreens, mossy boulders, and tranquil streams that trickle along the forest floor. Most hikers complete the hike in about 2 to 2.5 hours.

Begin your hike at the Lye Brook Falls Trailhead, located just outside Manchester. The trailhead offers a parking lot with space for about 20 cars, and if it’s full, you can usually find additional parking nearby. 

Follow the well-marked blue blazes through a canopy of trees, which show off their beauty in every season. You’ll follow an old logging railroad before transitioning onto a classic woodland trail with a rocky pathway underfoot—quintessential for hikes in Vermont, and specifically the Green Mountain National Forest.

About two miles in, the sound of cascading water begins to reach your ears as you approach Lye Brook Falls. The incline becomes steeper here, giving you a workout as you approach your destination.

Finally, you’ll arrive at the waterfall itself—one of the tallest waterfalls in Vermont. It plunges 125 feet over rock ledges, creating a misty scene that delights photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Lye Brook Falls Trail is beautiful during every season. During the spring, the snowmelt makes the waterfall look bolder and more dramatic. Summer brings lush greenery, while autumn covers the forest in vivid golds and reds. For those willing to brave the cold, winter offers a snow-dusted landscape that feels like a winter wonderland. 

No matter when you visit, follow the “Leave No Trace” principle to help preserve the forest. Also note that there are no facilities or trash cans on the trail, so plan accordingly.

After you’re done hiking, drive to nearby Manchester, a small Vermont town that packs a major punch. Here are some things to do in Manchester and the surrounding area:

• Visit Hildene, a 412-acre estate that was commissioned by Abraham Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln, along with his wife, Mary. Admission gives you self-guided tours of the manor, gardens, walking trails, and more. You can also sign up for a guided tour. 
• Visit local shops such as the Northshire Bookstore and Above All Vermont.
• Dine at local restaurants such as The Silver Fork, Ye Olde Tavern, or The Crooked Ram.
• Drive the iconic Mount Equinox Skyline Drive, which brings you 3,848 feet above sea level and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountain area.
• Admire local, national, and international artwork at the Southern Vermont Arts Center. Alternatively, you can visit the American Museum of Fly Fishing.
• Check out the 60+ pinball machines at Pastime Pinball.
• If you still have energy (or if you’re staying in the area for several days), you can consider taking another hike as well. For example, the 914-acre Equinox Preserve has various hiking trails (as well as cross-country ski and snowshoe trails in the winter).

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.