Abstract: In its simplest from, the hidden rain gutter of the present invention consists of a trough having a closed cross-sectional contour that is enclosed for the most of its periphery, having an opening in its upper section adjacent to the drain opening in the roof surface layer through which rainwater is introduced into the trough. The hidden rain gutter of the present invention is configured with at least one drainage outlet and at least one distal end spaced apart from the drainage outlet. The hidden rain gutter element defines a drainage vector between the distal end and the drainage outlet In one preferred deployment of the hidden rain gutter of the present invention the drainage vector is parallel to the plane of the roof surface layer with the distal end deployed higher on the slope of the roof than the drainage outlet such that rainwater falling into the rain gutter element is directed toward the drainage outlet.