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    Riding Vermont’s Kingdom Trails



    As a mountain biker, from the moment you arrive in East Burke, there’s a distinct sensation that this is a place where you could stay awhile. Moments linger a few seconds longer than normal in the small town at the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, where 60 private landowners have united with the Kingdom Trails Association to sow a network of singletrack unlike any other.

    From the steep, old-school New England tech high up on Burke Mountain to the bike park below and the fast-and-fluid trails on Darling Hill, there truly is terrain for every rider in East Burke.

    At the end of the day, when you stumble exhausted and elated into the town’s New England country store, or into Mike’s Tiki bar, the creak of the floor boards or the smile on the bartender’s face will remind you that at the core of this small town is a tight-knit community that genuinely wants you to come enjoy the trails and have a beer.

    More at kingdomtrails.org.

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    23 Comments

    2. Halfgeek on

      I live about an hour and a half south of these trails and I love them! The diversity in terrain both on trail and around it is amazing. It is a very beautiful spot and probably my favorite place to ride.

    4. D A on

      location was really a challenge for the audio and the backdrop settings where they did the reviews. Just not a great vibe, too much echo, uneven audio levels.

    7. Trail Runnah on

      I just rode there for the first time tis past weekend. It was amazing, I couldn't keep the smile off my face. Only bummer was spraining my wrist in a crash, but I still finished out the day. Compared to the rocky stuff I ride in MA and RI, the smoothness and flow of these trails was phenomenal…the speed and the corners were such a thrill! I can't wait to get back!  Also, check out Lake Willoughby about 20 min north of E. Burke. It's beautiful and there's a few nice hiking trails by the lake.

    8. chris on

      Dang, San Diego is great and all with no winter but the dirt here is absolutely the most slippery, sandy, rocky, sketchy stuff in the world. If you can master San Diego dirt without perishing you are truly a master.

    16. Phil Anderson on

      The irony is that Kingdom Trails isn't like the rest of New England, which is very rocky and rooty, with many intricate trails, short ruts, and sharp up/down climbs. Visiting riders leaving Kingdom and heading to, say, Maine, expecting to find the same, would be in for a rude surprise.

    18. Class Act Racing on

      KT is one of the premier mountain bike destinations on the eastcoast. The riding is world class, and the quaint little town of Burke, Vermont the community is very welcoming to cyclists.

    20. thomas medeiros on

      I have been riding at KT for 9 years after reading an article in Mountain Bike Magazine. I have been fortunate to be able to travel and ride in Wyoming, Arizona and Utah but I live in New England so KT is a 4.5 hour trip. The trails have something for every ability and the vibe of Community of East Burke is mountain bike for sure. If you like gravity riding go up to Burke Mountain Ski Resort off Mountain Road in East Burke.
      When you go into the KT office to get your trail pass ($15) they will give you a trail map and help you plan a route. The trails are well maintained and have lots of bridges over sections that are wet or impassable otherwise. The trails are extensive but well marked.it takes a few days of riding to really learn how to link them together. It is Vermont so you will have to climb up a few hills to ride down those flowing tree lined single track trails.

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