Issues → March/April 2008 → Travel → Family Biking, Kayaking, Canoeing →
Mountain Biking: Vermont
by Stephen Jermanok
We make an annual pilgrimage to the Northeast Kingdom to bike the 100-plus-mile web known as the Kingdom Trails. We pedal across fertile green pastures, past immense red barns still standing from the early 1900s, and sweep up and down on soft forest trails dusted with pine needles, all within arm's length of fragrant spruce and fir trees.
The exhilaration of biking these trails has never dulled, especially now that Jake and Melanie can lead me on the gently rolling terrain, swiftly cruising by dilapidated sugar shacks that seem lost on the land. The routes vary from narrow, challenging single tracks to wide dirt roads, created by loggers decades ago.
Grab a trail guide at East Burke Sports on Route 114, head up the slope to any of the trails that lead from Mountain View Farm on Darling Hill, and you'll quickly understand the attraction.
When You Go
East Burke Sports, 439 Rte. 114, East Burke. 802-626-3215; eastburkesports.com
Special Family Treat -- Wildflower Inn
Jim and Mary O'Reilly, parents of eight children, know how to keep kids entertained at The Wildflower Inn in Lyndonville, with bike rides, hayrides, a petting zoo, a playground, a pool, tennis courts, a batting cage, basketball courts, and an exquisite view. Rates: from $119, including full breakfast. 2059 Darling Hill Rd., Lyndonville. 800-627-8310, 802-626-8310; wildflowerinn.com
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