Sunderland, Massachusetts Waterfalls Day Trip

Tucked away along the backroads of Sunderland, Massachusetts (MA), in the Pioneer Valley, are two waterfalls you can easily, quickly see in one Western MA day trip: Falls Road Waterfall (aka Slatestone Brook Falls) and Gunn Brook Falls in the Mount Toby State Forest.

How to See Gunn Brook Falls and Falls Road Waterfall in Sunderland, MA |

Start your Western Massachusetts waterfalls day trip by driving to Falls Road Waterfall on Falls Road. This waterfall is on private property, and there is a small (two cars max.) pull off by the stone wall on the east side of the road. Park here and walk a few steps to stand in front of the stone wall for a direct view.

Then you can drive to the short-cut trail for Gunn Brook Falls by heading south about one mile, turning left (across the road) onto Gunn Cross Road. Drive for about one-half mile gradually uphill into the forest until you see a pull off on your right before the road takes a sharp left.

What to see at Falls Road Waterfall

As soon as you reach the Falls Road Waterfall coordinates, you’ll immediately see a beautiful and wide 40-foot cascade that fans out across someone’s backyard. This falls is immediately visible from the road, and you can get a great, close-up view directly in front of it.

Sometimes referred to as Slatestone Brook Falls, it rushes down best in spring or after heavy rains and is especially picturesque when surrounded by lush spring greens.

Falls Road Waterfall in Sunderland, Massachusetts cascading down a multi-tiered small rocky ledge in early spring.

After your quick roadside stop, it’s about one mile south on Falls Road to reach the turn onto Gunn Cross Road. You’ll see a pull off on your right about one-third to one-half mile up the dirt road (it’s not rugged) and, then, it’s only a .2 mile hike to see both the lower and upper Gunn Brook Falls.

After parking, hike straight into the thick forest, listen for the rushing water sound and start heading down gradually at about 11 o’clock until you reach and cross a shallow stream. On my most recent visit in April 2025, the hiking trail is not obvious so follow the rushing water sound, and you’ll see the stream and upper falls in the distance.

Cross the stream (your shoes will get wet) and then face right to see the lower falls plunge into a ravine.

You can get a good view of the 10-foot lower falls by walking up (carefully) onto a rocky outcropping. There’s no scrambling or bouldering required unless you choose to hike down into the ravine (I did not).

From here, its a block’s distance maximum to the 15-foot upper falls cascade that you’ll see as soon as you cross the stream.

The upper Gunn Brook Falls cascade flowing strong in spring through the lush woods of Mount Toby State Forest.

Hike through the woods (watch for poison ivy) following the rambling stream to one of multiple viewing spots by the base of the falls to see this 15-foot cascade rushing down over a series of rocky ledges.

It’s easy to make your way to a spot at the edge of the stream to directly view the upper falls.

If you prefer to hike to both the lower and upper falls, there is a parking area on Falls Road south of the turn onto Gunn Cross Road.

It’s best to visit Gunn Brook Falls (and Falls Road Waterfall) in spring after the snow melt or after heavy (spring or autumn) rains as the flow at both can be somewhat scant in summer.

And if you’re up for one more Western Massachusetts waterfall that’s easy and quick to see, drive to The Montague Bookmill on Greenfield Road and see Bookmill Falls flowing into the Sawmill River behind the building complex. It’s less than a 10-minute drive, and you can carefully walk down a very short, somewhat steep and heavily-wooded slope from the back (paved, free) parking lot to the river shore.

Bookmill Falls flowing into the Sawmill River behind the Montague Bookmill.

You can also walk down a wooden staircase onto the outdoor patio of a (signs said closed when I visited in March) former restaurant for a view above the falls. This view is closer to where the mini falls (maybe 8-10 feet) cascades under the bridge.

Western Massachusetts has so many beautiful waterfalls and by visiting Sunderland, you can easily and quickly see two of the most picturesque on one day trip: Gunn Brook Falls and Falls Road Waterfall.

MDT Tip: Wear proper hiking shoes or boots and bring copious bug spray when visiting Gunn Brook Falls because the forest is really lush and, though easy, the terrain is bumpy with roots and small rocks.

MDT Tip: Your dog on leash is welcome at Gunn Brook Falls!

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Have you seen these waterfalls? What Western Massachusetts waterfall are you looking forward to seeing?

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