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Enjoy these stories from the Kingdom along with area updates and fun ways to stay connected.
Eastern Trek
Our Eastern Trek will meander you along the eastern side of the Kingdom where recreation, arts, food, and history are thriving.
Explore the communities in and around St. Johnsbury, Lyndon, Burke, and Island Pond. Depending how far you follow the Eastern Trek, you may end up reaching some of Vermont’s most remote destinations including Canaan.
St. Johnsbury
In the southeastern corner of the Northeast Kingdom lies St. Johnsbury, a bustling community of creatives, adventure-seekers, and foodies alike. There is no other city like St. Johnsbury in the world – in fact, there’s no other town, village or city called St. Johnsbury; it is truly one of a kind!
Outdoor recreation is part of the fabric of St. Johnsbury and there is no shortage of ways to explore all throughout the year. Enjoy hiking at Dog Mountain or a walk through the Town Forest. Catch the beginning of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, which upon completion, will be New England’s longest rail trail at 93 miles. There are currently 34 miles of recreation trails!
Walk around downtown shopping and exploring the history and architecture of the late 1800s. On a rainy day, stop into the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium or catch a show at Catamount Arts and there are plenty of breweries and restaurants to refuel as needed.
St. Johnsbury also claims the title of “Maple Center of the World,” as its the headquarters of Maple Grove Farms of Vermont, the largest packer of pure maple syrup in the US. St. Johnsbury hosts an annual World Maple Festival each spring.
Visit Discover St. Johnsbury’s website for more information on how to spend your time in St. Johnsbury. Their website offers itineraries, scavenger hunts, and an ongoing calendar of events.
Lyndon
As you make your way up the Eastern Trek, you’ll arrive in Lyndon. Often a gateway for visitors traveling to Burke Mountain or Kingdom Trails, Lyndon offers a quaint and relaxing experience for visitors.
Located along the Passumpsic River, Lyndon is known as the covered bridge capital of the Northeast Kingdom and is home to five covered bridges. These bridges are visited year-round offering photo opportunities and history lessons alike!
The Lyndon Farmer’s Market, held on Friday afternoons from June – October, is the go-to spot in town for fresh produce, VT-made goods, and live performances from area musicians. It’s also a great opportunity to mingle with the locals and hear suggestion on how to spend your time!
The Vermont Children’s Theatre performs three shows each summer in conjunction with Catamount Arts, showcasing the best and brightest actors of the next generation!
Get outdoors and explore the Lyndon State Forest or cool off on a hot summer day at Powers Park. Lyndon is also home to the Lyndon Outing Club, a four-season recreation hub for winter skiing and riding and summer hiking and biking trails. The Outing Club is one of the only remaining ski areas with a functioning rope tow!
The Lyndon Area Chamber of Commerce is a great resource to help plan your visit to Lyndon.
Burke
Rolling hills, expansive vistas, and miles of backroads and trails are waiting for you in Burke. Comprised of three villages, East Burke, Burke Hollow, and West Burke, each section of this community has something to offer: outdoor recreating, hospitality and dining, arts & culture, and plenty of seasonal events.
Life moves at its own pace in Burke, meaning you can find adventure or leisure during every season. Thrill seekers find their place at Burke Mountain or Kingdom Trails, while others may prefer to relax along the shores of Lake Willoughby.
In the winter, skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers alike flock to the area. In the summer, cyclists, water bugs, and naturalists make the trek to soak up the sun. Panoramic foliage views can be seen throughout country lanes and backroads, offering stunning backdrops around every turn.
Locally owned restaurants, cafes and a craft brewery are here to feed your appetite, and don’t be surprised if you pass by a farm stand or two as you meander through town.
The Burke Area Chamber of Commerce is ready to help you plan your trip to Burke, offering vacation packages, trip ideas, and a directory of local businesses and organizations.
Island Pond
Island Pond is a village in the town of Brighton, Vermont, offering year-round recreation, clear waters, and one of the best 4th of July celebrations in the Northeast!
Water and nature are a way of life here. Summers are filled with boating, fishing and exploring wildlife, while winters are spent gassing up the snowmobile, drilling holes for ice fishing, and strapping on snowshoes. Many say some of Vermont’s best hunting happens in the woods of Island Pond due to its remote location and undisturbed wilderness.
Brighton State Park is a popular destination offering hiking, swimming, boating, paddle-boarding and fishing with camping sites and cabins available for rental. The village of Island Pond also features small stores and shops, restaurants, and a few lodging offerings, perfect for stocking up or refueling after a long day.
Island Pond is famous for being one of the first international railroad junctions in the United States, acting as a crossroads for travelers from Montreal, Canada to Portland, Maine. Today, visitors often stop by “Grand Trunk Railway” to take photographs and learn about its history.
For more on this history and recreational opportunities in Island Pond, visit Discover Island Pond.
As you travel further along the Eastern Trek, beyond the community of Island Pond, you will find some of Vermont’s most remote destinations including Canaan and Averill. Be on the lookout for moose and maple syrup!