Sterling Valley is located about 6 miles north of the Village of Stowe and part of the Sterling Range in the Green Mountains. Sterling is a now extinct town first settled in the late 1700’s and was added to Stowe in the mid 1800’s. In the now abandoned town of Sterling there are 10 historical site markers identifying former homesteads, farms, a schoolhouse and the original Pike/Shaw Mill site and Boarding House.
This quiet, off the beaten path location, miles from the busy village and highways, makes it an excellent place to view the night sky with no light pollution. Sterling Valley has an extensive wooded trail system and scenic vistas for hiking, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing making this area of Stowe a desirable location for the outdoor enthusiasts.
Sterling Falls Gorge, sometimes called Sterling Brook Gorge, and Sterling Forest have a network of well-marked trails which are crossed by the Catamount Trail, the 300-mile-long ski trail that runs the length of the state of Vermont, and the VAST snowmobile trail. All of the trails are well marked thanks to the Catamount Trail Association and groups such as the Sterling Falls Gorge Natural Area Trust. This scenic land was conserved in 1995 through the teamwork of seven different groups and the voters of Stowe. Now, residents and visitors can enjoy this wooded area into the future. It is easily accessed at the end of Sterling Valley Road where you can pick up a map at the Sterling Gorge trailhead. From the Sterling Gorge Road parking area you can access an interpretive trail, managed by the Anderson family, which descends into the gorge.
There are several parking areas, bridges crossing the gorge and a wonderful open meadow with a pond, a great spot for picnicking. Sterling Valley is yet another beautiful place to explore in Stowe!