You’re driving up I-91, the air gets crisper, and suddenly the GPS tells you to turn onto a road that looks like it belongs in a 19th-century oil painting. Welcome to the Northeast Kingdom. If you’ve heard of Kingdom Trails East Burke Vermont, you probably envision a mountain biking mecca with endless flow. And it is. But there is a massive difference between "riding the Kingdom" and actually understanding how this place ticks.
Most people show up, park at the first dirt lot they see, and follow a crowd. They miss the soul of the place.
Honestly, the "Kingdom" isn’t just a trail network; it’s a fragile, beautiful handshake between a non-profit and over 100 private landowners. That’s the first thing you need to realize. When you’re pinning it down a berm on Darling Hill, you’re literally in someone’s backyard. In 2026, that relationship is more vital than ever. Recently, Bear Den Partners (the folks who own Burke Mountain) dropped a massive $100,000 investment into the Kingdom Trail Association. That kind of cash doesn't just go to "making trails pretty." It’s about sustainability. It’s about keeping the "East Burke" vibe alive when the world feels like it's moving too fast.
The Darling Hill vs. Burke Mountain Divide
You have to choose your adventure. Usually, riders split their brain into two halves: the "flowy fields" of Darling Hill and the "rugged technicality" of Burke Mountain.
Darling Hill is the postcard. It’s where you find Heaven's Bench. If you haven't taken a photo there, did you even go to Vermont? It's a 360-degree view of rolling hills and cows that looks like a Windows screensaver. But the riding here is mellow—sorta. You’ve got Sidewinder, which is basically a natural halfpipe that makes grown adults giggle like kids. It’s fast. It’s smooth. It’s the reason people drive six hours from Jersey.
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Then there’s the mountain side.
Burke Mountain is a different animal. While some trails like Moose Alley are technically part of the Kingdom Trails network (meaning your standard pass works), the vibe is darker, rootier, and way more "Old School Vermont." We’re talking rocks that want to eat your derailleur. If Darling Hill is a summer pop song, Burke Mountain is heavy metal played through a tube amp.
What to ride if you’re actually an intermediate
Don't just wing it. If you’re a solid rider but not looking to break a collarbone, try this loop:
- Start at the Village.
- Take Uptown to get your legs moving.
- Hit Pasture Loop and Emma’s Sanctuary.
- Work your way to River Run.
- Finish with Poundcake or Harp.
It’s about 8 miles of pure, concentrated joy. You get the views, you get the flow, and you don’t end up hiking your bike over a boulder field.
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The "Secret" Winter Season
Everyone talks about the summer, but Kingdom Trails East Burke Vermont in the winter is arguably more magical. The fat biking scene here is legitimate. They have a dedicated grooming fleet—think mini snowmobiles with specialized rollers—that turns the singletrack into white ribbons of concrete-hard snow.
Just a heads up: winter riding is fickle. As of mid-January 2026, some of the lower-elevation fat bike trails had to temporarily close because Mother Nature decided to throw a warm spell at us. You have to check the KT Trail Conditions page religiously. If the ground isn't frozen, you don't ride. Period. Riding on soft snow ruins the grooming for everyone else and makes the landowners (understandably) grumpy.
If the trails are closed, don't pout. Go to Mike’s Tiki Bar. It’s the unofficial headquarters of East Burke. Even in the shoulder season, there’s usually something happening near the fire pits.
Real Talk: The Logistics of East Burke
Let’s get the "boring" stuff out of the way because it'll ruin your trip if you mess it up.
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- The Pass: An adult day pass is $20. If you’re staying for a long weekend, just buy the annual membership for $125. It supports the landowners and makes you feel like less of a "tourist."
- Parking: Do not park on the side of the road in the village. Use the Sherburne Base Lodge or the designated lots on Darling Hill. The locals are incredibly patient, but blocking a tractor path is a quick way to lose trail access for everyone.
- E-Bikes: Yes, they are allowed, but keep it Class 1. Don't be the person roosting past a family on a climb. It’s bad form.
Where do you stay? If you want luxury, The Inn at Burklyn is a restored 1904 mansion that is frankly too nice for people covered in chain grease, but they welcome you anyway. For the classic experience, The Wildflower Inn is right on the ridge. You can literally roll out of your room and onto the trail.
Why This Place Actually Matters
There’s a lot of talk in the mountain bike world about "destination trails." You’ve got Bentonville, you’ve got Moab, you’ve got Whistler. But East Burke is different because it isn't a government-funded park. It’s a community.
When you ride here, you’re riding on land that has been in families for generations. You’re passing through maple groves that produce the syrup on your pancakes at Northeast Kingdom Country Store. There’s a weight to that. It’s why the $100k donation from Bear Den Partners was such a big deal—it signaled that the big players and the non-profit are finally in total sync.
The biggest misconception? That you need a $10,000 carbon fiber bike to have fun here. Honestly, I’ve seen kids on 20-inch BMX bikes and old-timers on rigid steel frames from the 90s having the time of their lives on Coronary. The dirt here—that famous Vermont "loam"—is a great equalizer.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Trip
- Download Trailforks: The physical maps are cool souvenirs, but the digital ones are updated in real-time by the KTA staff.
- Ride Mid-Week: If you can swing a Tuesday or Wednesday, you’ll have Heaven's Bench all to yourself. Saturday at noon is basically a traffic jam of Lycra.
- Eat the Burger: Go to Burke Publick House. Get the burger. Don't ask questions.
- Respect the "Closed" Sign: If a trail is closed for maintenance or mud, it’s not a suggestion. The soil here is sensitive, and "just one ride" can cause weeks of repair work.
Kingdom Trails isn't just about the miles. It’s about the fact that a tiny town in Vermont managed to build one of the best trail networks in the world by simply being good neighbors. Pack your bike, bring some spare tubes, and remember to wave to the farmers. They’re the ones letting you play in their yard.
Before you head out, check the Kingdom Trail Association website for the "Live Trail Status" to ensure the specific loops you want are open for the day. If you're planning a multi-day trip, consider booking your lodging at least three months in advance, as East Burke's limited capacity fills up rapidly during peak foliage and mid-summer.