The Summer Season is Approaching!

April 13, 2023

Trail Network Updates

The sun is out, temps are in the seventies, and the snow is melting! We couldn’t be happier or busier prepping trails for the upcoming season! As of now, there is still a good amount of snow and moisture on the trail corridors so we can not yet set an opening date. In the meantime, we hope that you're tuning up your bike, dusting off your helmet, and purchasing your Annual Membership to be ready to rock when the network opens!

Unfortunately, it can’t all be sun and seventies as we do have some disappointing news to share. This week we received a letter from the landowner who withdrew their land from KT along Darling Ridge in 2019. They have decided to now withdraw their additional land parcels from the network. This will impact the three mile Flower Brook trail and a half mile end section of the White School trail. While we are disappointed with this decision we have open communication with the landowner and respect that they do not wish to allow public recreational access on their property. With 121 trails and 96.5 miles of riding, the connection to Moose Haven is still strong (even without Flower Brook) and as we write, the crew is busy looking for alternative connections, and planning new trails and features.

Here at KT we’ve learned that with the change of season often comes change to the trail network and we look forward to another beautiful summer in the Kingdom! The KT Kids Ride is back for another year and we are excited to host the local school district’s summer camp and after schools programs, participate in the Ride For Mo gathering, co-host the Elevate Women’s MTB Summit with VMBA and NEMBA, partner with Northwood Stewardship Center’s All Women Trail Crew, award KT Mini Grants to the NEK again, and offer outdoor recreation opportunities for ALL to enjoy!

Please Remember to Ride With Gratitude. Accessing trails on private lands is a gift, not a right. With every ride, remember to be grateful for the landowners and others who make it possible.

We invite you to reach out with any questions to info@kingdomtrails.org, give us a call at (802)626-0737, or drop in at the KT Welcome Center to chat. We look forward to hearing from you!

We appreciate you!

The KT Team & Board of Directors

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Bear Den Partners, Owners of Burke Mountain, Make Unprecedented $100,000 Gift to Kingdom Trails, Securing Northeast Kingdom’s Recreational Future

By Jodi Flanagan • October 27, 2025

EAST BURKE, VT – October 27, 2025 – Kingdom Trails, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of recreational trails in the Northeast Kingdom, today announced it has received a monumental gift of $100,000 from Bear Den Partners, the owners of Burke Mountain, and Kingdom Trails’ single largest private landowner. This unprecedented corporate donation is the largest in Kingdom Trails’ history and signifies a powerful commitment to the economic vitality and future of recreation in the Northeast Kingdom. The $100,000 investment comes as both organizations continue to expand their collaborative efforts to enhance outdoor tourism and provide world-class experiences for visitors and local community members alike. This funding will be immediately directed toward critical trail maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable trail development projects across the network, allowing Kingdom Trails to build important new connections and keep the trails in top shape. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity and vision demonstrated by the leadership at Burke Mountain,” said Georgia Gould, Interim Executive Director of Kingdom Trails. “This is more than just a donation; it’s an unprecedented investment in the future health of our trails, our organization, and the entire Northeast Kingdom community. This investment ensures we can not only maintain the current quality of the Kingdom Trails experience but also pursue long-term sustainability and innovative projects.” The gift came during an evening of music and celebration of Kingdom Trails’ Landowners hosted by Bear Den Partners at the Burke Mountain Hotel. The event brought together the landowners, community members, and friends who make Kingdom Trails possible. The evening featured a powerful joint performance by national touring artists Adam Gardner of Guster and Stephen Kellogg, whose music captured the warmth, connection, and spirit that define the Northeast Kingdom. The relationship between Burke Mountain and Kingdom Trails has been instrumental in positioning the region as a premier mountain biking and outdoor destination. Burke Mountain’s contribution emphasizes a shared goal of drawing visitors to the region while ensuring responsible stewardship of the natural resources. “Burke Mountain is a proud neighbor and partner to Kingdom Trails,” said Jon Schaefer, CEO of Bear Den Partners. “We understand that the trails are a critical driver of our local economy and an important amenity for our guests. Making this $100,000 commitment was a clear decision—it ensures the longevity of this incredible network and helps secure the Northeast Kingdom’s reputation as a top-tier outdoor destination for generations to come.” The organizations encourage the public and corporate partners to view this as an inspiration for collective responsibility in protecting and preserving the trails that define Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom experience. Kingdom Trails extends its sincere gratitude to Bear Den Partners for their integral support of this investment and their dedication to the future of the trails. About Kingdom Trails Kingdom Trails is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of a 100+ mile network of non-motorized multi-use trails in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Utilizing a land-use agreement model with 106 private landowners, Kingdom Trails provides recreational access that promotes healthy lifestyles, economic vitality, and sustainable use of resources. About Burke Mountain Located in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Burke Mountain Resort is an independent, four-season destination owned by Bear Den Partners. Burke delivers 178 acres of world-class skiing and riding in the winter, and lift-served mountain biking and hiking in the summer. Burke’s bike park is adjacent to the world-renowned Kingdom Trails network, a mecca for mountain bikers. Year-round, Burke and the Burke Mountain Hotel host events and activities that reflect the culture and community of Vermont: down-to-earth, uncorporate and driven by the spirit of the mountain and the people who ride it. For more information, visit SkiBurke.com or follow on all major social platforms including Instagram , Facebook and YouTube .