Angel Falls

This short hike follows mountain streams, crossing them several times, leading to one of the highest and most impressive waterfalls in Maine.
Trail Activity
Walking Hiking
Length
1.10 miles, Round Trip
Difficulty
Easy, Moderate
Town
Township D
Surface
Dirt/Forest Floor, Gravel/Crushed Stone, Rock/Ledge
Pets
Permitted
Fees
No

Description

HIGH USE TRAIL:

This is a busy trail system, especially on weekends between 9AM-4PM. Consider visiting outside of peak periods. Use Maine Trail Finder to identify other nearby trails. If the parking lot is full when you arrive, please choose another trail. 

A easy to moderate 1.1 mile-round trip hike with an elevation gain of 200 feet.  *Caution: Although this is a relatively easy trail, several stream crossings (rock hopping) may pose a challenge for some, and the streams may be impassable during high water.

From the parking area, look for red blazes, and follow a logging path across Berdeen Stream, and continue following the trail (red blazed) to Mountain Brook. The trail follows the brook up stream and crosses (rock hops) the brook three times before you come to the falls. Use caution as stream crossings can be slippery and can even be dangerous or impassable during high water. Angel Falls, with a 90 foot plunge, in one of the most impressive waterfalls in Maine. Angel Falls has a 90-foot “hanging” plunge and is comparable in height with Moxie Falls in Forks Township. In high water, the cascading water creates the shape of an angel’s wing giving the falls its name.

Other Information

Although this is a relatively easy trail, several stream crossings may pose a challenge for those who are less sure on their feet, and the streams may be impassable during periods of high water.

Natural Heritage HikesNatural Heritage Hikes is a project of the Maine Natural Areas Program in partnership with Maine Trail Finder. View the "Angel Falls Trail" guide online here

Trail Manager

Trail maintained by T.R.A.C. volunteers. For more information please contact:

T.R.A.C. (Trails for Rangeley Area Coalition)
Rangeley, Maine

Nearby Events

VIEW EVENTS CALENDAR

Trail Tips

Minimize Campfire Impacts
Use only small pieces of dead and down wood for campfires and let them burn down to ash. Please extinguish your campfire before leaving.
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Trailhead Information

From the North:

Option 1: From Oquossoc, take ME-17 south for about 18.5 miles to Houghton. Turn right onto an unnamed gravel road (adjacent to a large open field). Immediately cross a bridge over the Swift River, then turn right onto Bemis Road and drive north for about 3.5 miles. This is a gravel road that can be rough, use caution. Look for a road on the left going downhill (44.7902, -70.7079) and follow it into an old gravel pit (large boulder with graffiti), and park.

Option 2 (via the back roads): From Oquossoc, take ME-17 south for 3.7 miles. Turn right on to Herbie Welch Road (across from South Shore Drive). Go almost a mile to a four-way intersection. Turn left onto Bemis Road. Drive about 11 miles south on Bemis Road. This is a gravel road that can have rough spots, use caution. Look for a road going sharply right and downhill (44.7902, -70.7079) and follow it into an old gravel pit (large boulder with graffiti), and park.

From the South:

From the intersection of US-2 & and ME-17 in Mexico/Rumford, take ME-17 north for about 18 miles to Houghton. Turn left onto an unnamed gravel road (adjacent to a large open field). Immediately cross a bridge over the Swift River, then turn right onto Bemis Road and drive north for about 3.5 miles. This is a gravel road that can be rough, use caution. Look for a road on the left going downhill (44.7902, -70.7079) and follow it into an old gravel pit (large boulder with graffiti), and park.

Safety Note on Roads: Houghton and Bemis Roads are logging roads. Logging roads may require four-wheel drive and may not be appropriate for small cars or cars with low clearances. Logging vehicles always have the right of way.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
scoobydo1974
September 04, 2023
Beautiful hike today! Water level not terrible to cross! Rocks are a little slippery! Absolutely worth the hike to see the beauty!
scoobydo1974
September 04, 2023
Beautiful hike today! Water level not terrible to cross! Rocks are a little slippery! Absolutely worth the hike to see the beauty!
toneman10
August 27, 2022
There was a slight sprinkle on this late August morning that made some of the rocks along the trail a little slick, but it cleared up and the sun came out. I found it helpful to have a walking stick when crossing back and forth across the stream for additional stability. There are four crossings and since there hasn't been a lot of rain this year, the crossings were fairly easy. It was a nice little hike.
ajmorgan82014
July 15, 2020
This place is amazing. It had rained a lot within the past couple weeks so crossing the streams was waist deep. We got very wet, but had a blast.
It's also about 1 mile one way. On here it says round trip.
iceflame
July 25, 2017
Great place to kill a couple hours- but tough to get to. Bemis Road is a 20-30mph dirt road with some potholes to be weary of, but it's worth it! I recommend coming from the rte 17 side so you have less to deal with. Also, the drive going down to the parking area is very steep. My car certainly would not have made that in the winter.

The hike itself is great. You cross water walking across carefully-placed stones maybe 4 or 5 times before arriving at the waterfall. The towering waterfall itself is spectacular. Not really enough water at the bottom to swim (and DEFINITELY not enough to jump! hah!), but there is enough submerge yourself and swim around a tad if you need to cool off. We went on a Popular area- we went on Sunday afternoon and saw maybe 10 other couples/grounds. The graffiti rock is VERY different from the one in the photo.. I'll post an updated pic.

Great hike if you're willing to go out of the way a bit. If you're a water-lover, this hike is for you 100%.
jralbert21
July 24, 2016
Just a few helpful coordinate listings in decimal-degree format:
* Sharp turnoff/downhill off of Bemis Road (Don't miss this):
N 44.79023 by W -070.70794
* Parking spot: N 44.78822 by W -070.70679
* Angel Falls: N 44.78316 by W -070.70960
Great short hike!
mainetrailfinder
April 30, 2014
05/08/2012: rob.lydick: "For video of the hike, check out: http://www.wabi.tv/news/29638/roaming-rob-hiking-angel-falls"
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