The Vermont Land Trust and Kingdom Trail Association announce Campaign to conserve land on Darling Ridge

October 7, 2020

Help conserve 269 acres for public access.


Today, the Kingdom Trail Association and Vermont Land Trust announce a campaign to conserve 269 acres of land on Darling Ridge. “We are thrilled to have an opportunity to secure this special site on the Darling Hill Ridge for permanent public trail access and protection of some of the most beautiful land in the Kingdom,” said Abby Long, KTA Executive Director. “We are now reaching out to all who enjoy Kingdom Trails and want to help us preserve this landscape for future generations.”

In September 2019, a key parcel in the heart of the trail system on Darling Hill Road in Lyndon, went on the market. The land, formerly owned by AOQ, LLC was at imminent risk of being purchased for subdivision and residential development that would have diminished the rural character of the ridge and placed the future of public access to the land at risk. Seeing this threat, the Kingdom Trail Association acted quickly to secure bridge financing to purchase the property and allow time to secure the funds needed for long-term ownership and conservation of the land. At the same time, KTA entered into a contract to purchase an adjoining 40 acre parcel and created a plan to work with the Vermont Land Trust to permanently protect the two properties from future development and ensure public access to the land in perpetuity.


Over seven miles of trails in the KT network and a one-mile segment of a VAST trail, traverse this property, extending through farm fields, descending down to the East Branch of the Passumpsic River. The property’s trails lead to "Heaven's Bench,” a grassy knoll and iconic destination offering panoramic views across the Northeast Kingdom. With streams, wetlands and forests, the land provides wildlife habitat and contributes to clean air and water, while contributing to the unique, rural character of Darling Hill Ridge. 


With a total funding need of $671,305 for the purchase and conservation of the two properties, Kingdom Trails is pleased to have secured a $150,000 grant from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. The project has already received $291,433 in pledges and donations, including $3,813 donated by Lawson’s Finest Liquids with its release of Kingdom Trails IPA. A second release of this limited edition beer was released last week. Now, KTA in concert with the Vermont Land Trust, is teaming up to raise the remaining $229,872 needed to complete the project.


“We never imagined that we would be launching a fundraising campaign during a global pandemic and recognize the uncertainty and financial hardship communities across the NEK, Vermont and beyond continue to face,” said Tabitha Bowling, Treasurer of the Board of Directors and member of the Campaign Committee. “We also see that public access to the outdoors and recreation are needed more now, than ever. The Kingdom Trails truly provide refuge: a way for people to disconnect from Zoom screens or frontline jobs, safely get outside, get “lost” on a ride or run, and take care of mind, body and spirit. It is hard to put a value on that and we will be grateful for any measure of support—large, small or symbolic—for this campaign.”


For more information, or to make a donation to help the Kingdom Trail Association and Vermont Land Trust ensure that these 269 acres on Darling Hill in Lyndon, Vermont remain undeveloped and open to the public, visit vlt.org/darlingridge.


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Recap of the 7/11/2026 KT Community Chat at Firefly Farm

By The KT Team • July 14, 2026
7/11/26 Community Chat

Canadian Community Month

By The KT Team • July 6, 2026
Canadian Community Month Offers Below Kingdom Trails Kingdom Trails is a world-renowned, community-supported trail network at the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, built through long-standing landowner partnerships and careful stewardship. It remains the central hub of the region’s mountain biking community. As part of Canadian Community Month, Canadian visitors are welcomed with special membership access and benefits designed to make visiting more accessible. Offers: Canadian dollars accepted at par for annual and day memberships purchased in-person at the Kingdom Trails Welcome Center New and current Canadian annual members will receive a complimentary guest day membership to share with a friend or family member, redeemable anytime during the 2026 riding season. Canadians who purchased day memberships earlier this season may upgrade to annual memberships at par, with the amount already paid in USD credited toward the upgrade Please note that the at-par rates will be applied at checkout in USD as a discount according to the current daily exchange rate; the KT Welcome Center is unable to accept Canadian currency at this time.

July E-Newsletter

By The KT Team • July 6, 2026
From the Executive Director: Hi Everyone! Well, July has certainly brought the heat, but luckily here at KT there are plenty of shady trails to choose from. Speaking of trails...we are opening a new one this weekend: "Cheddar Slice" connects the bottom of Butter Tubs to the bottom of the Dashney Loop, creating a roughly 4-mile family-friendly loop and adding another way to connect the Moose Alley and Dashney zones. Connectivity has been a big focus this year, and there is more to come later this season. Thank you to all our generous Landowners, members and supporters. Have a wonderful weekend and a very Happy Fourth of July!! -Georgia Celebrate the Fourth with Us! As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we invite you to celebrate with us throughout the month of July. If you're riding on Saturday, July 4, be sure to stop by our newly refreshed Welcome Center! We'll be serving complimentary cookies and lemonade throughout the day—a small way of celebrating the holiday and welcoming riders, families, and visitors to Kingdom Trails. Later in the month, join us at Lyndonville's Stars & Stripes Celebration on Saturday, July 18. The celebration begins with the 10:00 a.m. parade, followed by the festival, where you'll find the Kingdom Trails tent. Stop by to say hello, learn about our newest initiatives and chat with our staff about everything happening at Kingdom Trails this summer. The festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and features food trucks, vendors, children's activities, live music, a Rotary BBQ, axe throwing, and more—making it a fun day for the whole family. We hope you'll stop by, say hello, and celebrate with us! CLICK HERE to read the full newsletter.
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