Recreation in the Northeast Kingdom

Kingdom Trails  ~  Hiking  ~  Biking  ~  Running

Golfing  ~  Swimming  ~  Fishing  ~  Canoe/Kayak/Boat Rentals  ~ Outdoor Guides  ~  Downhill Skiing/Snow Boarding ~ Cross Country Skiing  ~  Snowmobiling  ~  Snowshoeing

Click to request complete Winter or Spring/Summer vacation information.

Vermont's largest recreation trail system: 100-mile trail network for mountain biking, trail running, hiking, walking, nature study, cross-country skiing, back-country skiing, and snowshoeing. In the rolling hills of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom lies what, until now, has been a well-kept secret. Those in the know are aware of an extensive network of quiet, scenic recreational trails. Mile after mile of winding single track, long-forgotten logging roads, broad fire roads and scenic country roads all beg to be explored on foot, a bicycle, skis, or snowshoes. These are what we call the Kingdom Trails.

Adult Day Pass - 16 years or older. $10.00

Kid Day Pass - ages of 8-15 years old. $5.00

Child Day Pass - 7 years old or younger. No Charge

Where to purchase a Pass.
Locally, purchase your pass at our tent in East Burke village (we setup on the weekends during the summer months). Everyday, visit East Burke Sports in East Burke village, or Village Sport Shop on Route 5 in Lyndonville

See our Mountain Biking Webpage

Hiking

•  Of course, there is the Kingdom Trail Network for hiking along with the inn's own hiking trails (which is part of the 100 mile Kingdom Trail Network). A map is available at the front desk.

•  If a more vigorous workout is more your style, then take a hike up Burke Mountain. The view from the top is well worth it!

•  Another great hike we recommend is hiking Mt. Pisgah at Lake Willoughby. You can start at the south end of the lake. The hike will take you way above the lake giving you an aerial view of the lake and surrounding area. Be sure to bring a camera with you!

A list of more great hikes is available at the front desk.

Mountain Biking/Road Biking

See our Mountain Biking Webpage

Kingdom Trail Network

Includes the inn's trails, trails at Burke Mountain and around East Burke. Trail maps can be purchased at the front desk.

Road Biking

   Enjoy biking on any of the scenic roads in the Northeast Kingdom. A list of great loops is available at the front desk.

Mountain bike rentals available at:

  East Burke Sports in Downtown East Burke       626-3215

  The Village Sport Shop in Lyndonville       626-8448

Running

Enjoy going for a morning run? Scenic Darling Hill is a great place to take a peaceful jog. With the sun rising and birds chirping, you will return, eagerly waiting for the sun to rise again to light your way for your morning jog.

Burke Hollow Loop - From the inn, go up the road on Darling Hill, continue straight until you reach the 4-way intersection, take a left onto Burke Hollow Rd down to the hollow. Keep left at the intersection onto Bugsby Crossing Road. At the intersection of East Darling Hill go left up the hill and continue on to Darling Hill Road.

East Burke Loop - From the inn, go up the road on Darling Hill, go right at the first intersection on to East Darling Hill Road. At the bottom of the hill go left onto Burke Hollow Rd. Continue until you reach the top of the hill at the 4-way intersection, go left onto Darling Hill Road and continue straight on that road.

Golfing

If you're a golfer the NEK has some of the best golf opportunities in New England. Great golf courses that offer Great Value will challenge the skilled, and offer spectacular memories to all. The scenery and the friendly atmosphere in the NEK guarantees enjoyable golf experiences for all.

St. Johnsbury Country Club - 18 holes, Championship (Intermediate to advanced) Route 5    748-9894

Orleans - 18 holes, Championship (Intermediate to advanced.

Route 58 East 1 mile out of Orleans, road on Right up hill, not marked well      754-2333

Newport - 18 holes, Championship (Intermediate to advanced)

  Newport exit off I-91, bear right, second right at 4-way intersection      334-2391

Barton - 9 holes (beginner to advanced) Rt 5 to Barton to Rt . 1 mile on right    525-1126

Newark - 9 holes (beginner) Newark Village at 4-way intersection.

Swimming, Vermont Style

Crystal Lake

  Route 5 in Barton, 15 minutes northwest of West Burke

Willoughby Lake

  Route 5A, 15 minutes north of West Burke

Fishing

Lake Willoughby

  Located 15 minutes north of West Burke on Route 5A

  Beautiful lake below Mount Pisgah and Mount Hoar

  Fish from shore or rent a boat. Trophy fish to be found in this lake because of its great depth.

Crystal Lake

  On Route 5 northwest of West Burke about 15 minutes

  Beautiful large lake for fishing and swimming, good fishing from shore or boat.

  Catch rainbows, pickerel, steelhead, perch, and bass

Lake Memphremagog

  Enormous Lake running from Newport to beyond the Canadian border.

  Boat rentals at Marina Pier in Newport. 1-800-974-5911.

  Great fishing, boating, water skiing, swimming, etc.

Fishing Hole in river next to River Garden Cafe in East Burke

Passumpsic River

  Any place on East branch of Passumpsic from East Haven to Lyndonville or on West Branch of Passumpsic from West Burke to the town garages on Route 114, Lyndonville.

All of the following are in the Newark area, 10 - 20 minutes north of Burke, and are stocked with trout. All have good fishing both from the shore or a boat, and public boat access:

  Newark Pond, Center Pond, Jobs Pond, Bald Mountain Pond

Canoe/Kayak/Boat Rentals

East Burke Sports     Canoes, Kayaks         626-3215

Village Sport Shop     Canoes, Kayaks, paddle boats     626-8448

Outdoor Guides

East Burke Sports; Hiking, Biking, Boating         626-3215

Downhill Skiing/Snow Boarding

Enjoy downhill skiing or riding at Burke Mountain Ski Resort in East Burke, just 5 minutes away, or at Jay Peak Resort in Jay, 50 minutes away. Both have excellent skiing and riding.

Burke Mountain

Elevation:  3,267 ft,   Vertical:  2,000 ft,  Average snowfall 250 inches

Total trails: 43 and glades 180 skiable acres 25% novice 45% intermediate 30% advanced Longest trail East Bowl 2.25 miles

Jay Peak

VT Route 242, Jay, VT

Base elevation: 1,815 feet,  Vertical: 2,153 feet,  Average snowfall 351 inches

Enjoy downhill skiing or riding at Burke Mountain Ski Resort in East Burke, just 5 minutes away, or at Jay Peak Resort in Jay, 50 minutes away. Both have excellent skiing and riding. View the Wildflower Inn's ski vacation packages .

Cross Country Skiing

Wildflower Inn Cross Country Trails

You can practically step out your door onto the network for cross-country skiing. Groomed for skating. Trail difficulty ranges from beginner to advanced skier. A map of the inn's trails is available at the front desk.

Burke Cross-Country Skiing

Over 60 Kilometers of skiing in the snow rich Northeast Kingdom. Evenly split between easiest, more difficult and most difficult, all trails are at least twelve feet wide and groomed for classic as well as skating. The loops range from roughly 1 to 12 km. The Center where rentals, trail tickets, maps, and repairs are always available with bits of information about history, nature or the weather. Located on the Mountain Road in East Burke.

Snowmobiling

There's no better place to snowmobile than Vermont, and the best of the best is right here in the Northeast Kingdom! With direct access to VAST trail 52, discover the pristine beauty of snow-laden boughs, rolling white-blanketed hills and scenic wintry overlooks accessible only by snowmobile. Come to Vermont to enjoy the over 4500 miles of trails we have to offer. To ride on the more than 4,500 mile trail system in Vermont, your machine(s) must be legally registered in Vermont or any other state or province. A TMA (Trail Maintenance Assessment/Trail Pass) must be purchased and displayed according to Vermont law.  For more information on snowmobiling and packages, go to our SNOWMOBILE PAGE or the VAST website.

Snowshoeing