The Winter Trail Network is OPEN to Bike & Foot Traffic

December 15, 2020

With COVID Restrictions and changes to winter operations.

Although the snow has not yet arrived, KTA has made the decision to open the winter trail network for bike and foot travel with COVID restrictions. Fresh air and recreational opportunities are more important than ever in the quest to nurture our bodies and minds, and we hope that each of you are able to find the opportunity to enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer.

Due to the current conditions of no snow, frozen bare ground, and the hunting season over, we are allowing bikes of all tire sizes and foot traffic only on the Darling Hill and White School sector trails. The soils in these areas are less prone than other terrain to long term damage with temperature fluctuations. However, please note that if temperatures rise and the ground softens, we will close the trails or revert to fat tire bikes only and restrict foot traffic. We ask that you keep an eye on KTA's communications and the weather and temps. If any damage is occurring to the trails during use, please make the responsible decisions to ensure the future health of the trails. Before accessing the trails, always check our website for the latest condition updates.

For your health and safety of our community, it is essential that trail users familiarize themselves with KTA COVID policies. Unfortunately, due to rising COVID cases across the Northeast, effective on November 10, 2020, the State of Vermont has suspended its leisure travel map and implemented a mandatory quarantine for anyone returning or traveling to Vermont. Please abide by VT Cross State Travel mandates and follow mandatory quarantine procedures before planning a trip from out of state.

KTA COVID-19 Policies

* Operational Changes *

It is important to share that there are changes to our operations this winter. KTA will not be operating out of the yurt on Darling Ridge this coming season. Due to COVID priorities and our desire to keep our staff, community, and members safe, we are not able to offer an indoor warming space, yet will still offer sales and information services at the KTA Welcome Center Service Window located at downtown East Burke 478 VT. Rte 114. (Same as our summer location). Please know as COVID may evolve, these operations could too. We thank you in advance for understanding any changes and we will absolutely communicate if this is the case.

Welcome Center

Along with this change in location, the KTA Board of Directors and staff have also made the decision to slightly increase our cost of memberships. As we are all too aware, the strain of COVID is a factor, plus Kingdom Trails has not raised their prices in over 10 years to keep up with inflation. We wish to continue supporting our staff and stay true to the commitments we made to our community and landowners to have a greater trail presence, managing trail users for the safety of all. The increase will only be to our daily and monthly memberships and it is just by $5. We will also be offering a new 2 consecutive-day or “weekend” membership designed to encourage an overnight stay. Yearly memberships will remain the same and of course, we will proudly continue to offer our NEK discount.

Membership

The three locations for parking to access the winter trail network are 2079 Darling Hill Rd. where the yurt was previously located. And in the village of East Burke at East Burke Sports, 439 VT Rte 114 and at Mike's Tiki Bar at 44 Belden Hill Rd.

Parking Locations

The updated winter map is online here. And hard copies are available at the KTA Welcome Center. You may navigate the trail system digitally by using the ONDAGO GPS app downloaded to your phone.

Trail Map

Trail conditions are available on our website or by downloading the Trailhub app to your phone. Set KTA as one of your favorites and you'll receive notifications with condition updates.

Trail Conditions

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions by email to info@kingdomtrails.org or during business hours at (802)626-0737.

Email Call

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Mail

Vermont State Treasurer, Mike Pieciak, speaks at the 2025 Outdoor Recreation Day at the Statehouse

KT is taking action—on the trails and in the Statehouse!

By Abby Long • February 13, 2025

KT is taking action—on the trails and in the Statehouse! This 2025 Legislative Session, KT is teaming up with other amazing trail organizations through the Vermont Trails & Greenway Council, to advocate for H.147 a bill to establish the Recreational Trails Compensation Study. Why does this matter? Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy generates $2.1B annually, nearly 5% of the state’s GDP, that's 2nd in the nation after Hawaii (Go VT!) KT alone drives $10M in economic impact annually. Therefore, the state must recognize and incentivize these generous private landowners, including the 106 who make KT possible and allow public access to trails.