Quechee Gorge

The gorge was cut after the last glaciation, when meltwater from a retreating ice sheet forced the Ottauquechee through a channel it did not have before, and it dropped about fifty-five metres through schist in a geologically short period. The bridge over it was built in 1911 for the railroad and converted to carry US 4; it is a steel arch, and the view down from the walkway is the reason most people stop. A trail runs from the bridge down to the riverbed at the bottom in about twenty minutes. The Vermont Institute of Natural Science next to the gorge runs a raptor centre with birds that cannot be released, and daily flight demonstrations.

What's there

• A gorge about fifty-five metres deep - Vermont's deepest.
• A 1911 steel arch bridge - built for rail, now carrying the road.
• A trail to the riverbed - about twenty minutes down.
• A raptor centre alongside - with non-releasable birds.

When to go

May to October; foliage in early October. Two hours.

Good to know

The main view is from a road bridge with traffic beside you. Parking fills on foliage weekends. The descent trail is steep and slippery when wet. It is a short visit.

Nearby

Woodstock is west; White River Junction is east.

Key facts