Come to Burke for foliage fest and mountain of fun
Don't tell anyone, but our friends in Burke, Vt., are having a party this fall, and we're invited. There will be music and food, parades and raffles. Folks will gather on the picturesque town green and celebrate. The crowning touch: the splendid beauty of the Burke region in autumn.
Just tell others that it's just too far away. If we hide the fact that Burke is a lovely and easy drive from Greater Boston, they might all come, too.
Oh, OK: Let everyone in on the news, because Burke has enough space, activity, beauty and now even lodging to accommodate us all. Known worldwide for mountain biking, Burke is also a haven for hiking, watersports, mountain- and leaf-peeping and more.
This year, the sweet spot for a fall foliage visit comes Sept. 30, when the town puts on its 30th annual Fall Foliage Festival.
Set in the center of East Burke Village, the weekend features everything from a children's area with games, face painting, a jump house and more; horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, delicious food — what beats a burger or sausage fresh off the grill on a crisp autumn day? — cow plop bingo (if you've never experienced it, now is the time), live music, raffles and a silent auction, and a perfectly Vermont town parade at 10 a.m. There's even a “Wildlife Encounters” program that will bring some rare and fascinating wildlife up close for you to learn about and even touch.
The event is free (with fees for food and raffles). Over a thousand folks attend each year. You can learn more at www.burkevermont.com/fall-foliagefestival.php.
Burke is a festival in itself all foliage season long. And while a lovely drive up its winding roads is wonderful enough, Burke is a region folks need to get out of their cars to explore.
Centering all the outdoor activity there is Burke Mountain Resort and Kingdom Trails.
The Kingdom Trails network is made up of over 100 miles of non-motorized recreational trails for all ability levels. Famous worldwide for mountain biking, the beautiful trails are also a testament to — and proof of — what makes the Burke region and its people great. You see, the trail system is on private land, and all 75 landowners have given the Kingdom Trails Association access to their land. The fee the KTA charges for use of the trail goes to sustain the building and management of the trail network.
In other words, 75 really awesome local folks have invited you to play on their property — for a minimal charge that simply helps maintain the trails. The trails are so pristine, varied and amazing that one assumes they're under the aegis of a large corporate enterprise. The Kingdom
Trails Association is a notfor-profit association run by a nine-member board of directors. It was established in 1994 by a group of visionary community members and was one of the earliest examples of purpose-built bike trails.
Burke Mountain Resort has a trail crew and manages the trails on Burke Mountain, while Kingdom Trails manages all trails off the mountain. The town of Burke is unique in that its businesses are centered around the interconnected 100-mile trail network and the healthy and active outdoor lifestyle that the trails promote. Learn more at www.kingdomtrails.org.
At Burke Mountain Resort, where the trails connect to that system as well, you also can find bike rentals and get lessons from local pros. The hiking is fabulous on Burke as well, with trails and hikes for all ability levels. On bike or foot, the views of Willoughby Gap from Burke Mountain are a foliageseason must. Get up there and take it in.
Burke Mountain Resort has other fun offerings and events during the season. There's a brunch every Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon in the hotel, with a spread that will fuel you up for a day of mountain biking. And while you are up there, it's OK to look at those trails and think winter: Burke's great seasonpass deal runs though early October. Learn more at www.skiburke.com.
There is more to do, too — kayaking on Lake Willoughby is still an option in the fall, and Clyde River Recreation offers fun,
too. And then there are the Kingdom Games.
This series of outdoor events (running, biking, swimming, kayaking, speed skating, nordic skating and winter swim events) is held in the Northeast Kingdom region of Vermont and in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. What with all those pristine lakes and paved and dirt roads with little traffic, these regions are perfect spots to host the games. For the active type, the Kingdom Games are a magnet for competing — against yourself and with others. For those newer to racing of all forms, it's a great goal to train toward.
Kingdom Games now offers over 30 days of outdoor sporting events in the heart of the Northeast Kingdom from January through December. It's challenging for the best endurance athletes, with options accessible to all levels and all ages. In the fall, with cooler air and spectacular scenery, it's a great time to join in. Learn more and get event dates at http://kingdomgames.co.
Where to stay
Staying in the Burke region is as varied and welcoming as the people themselves. Up on Burke Mountain, the Burke Mountain Lodge, nestled into the resort midmountain, is a perfect spot for great accommodations, luxurious and well-appointed rooms, top service, restaurants onsite and a priceless view. There are fall-visit packages available. Learn more at www.skiburke.com.
For an “in the village”type stay, nestled in the heart of East Burke Village, WilloBurke Boutique Inn + Lodge offers the comforts of home away from home. Cozy, wellappointed rooms, all with private baths and hand-
crafted furniture, overlook five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, woodlands and a babbling mountain brook.
While there, you will wake up to a European farm-to-table breakfast featuring local home-baked goods. Return after your adventures to savor afternoon goodies and cocktails at WilloBurke Nordic Pub. Snuggle spots are many: tuck into the overstuffed leather couches and delight in the romantic and comfortable ambience of the fireplace. WilloBurke features a Nordic Spa with traditional outdoor Scandinavian wood-fired saunas and hot tubs. Outdoor gathering places including a Vermont Stone fire pit and patios. Securely store and maintain bikes and skis in the gear room — and you can even borrow a GoPro to video your experiences. Learn more at willoburke.com.
For a “this should be my mountain home” experience, consider Mountain Lake Cottages. The idyllic lakefront cottages are located directly on the shores of majestic Lake Willoughby, commonly referred to as the “Lucerne of America.” Owner Renee Levielle bakes muffins every Sunday for her guests, and delivers them to the guests' cottages.
Those cottages sit on 4.3 acres embellished with 330 feet of magnificent lakefront, with all you need for recreation. Relax in rocking chairs on the porch, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the opalescent dawns and the saffron sunsets. Or, you can get active and enjoy nature by kayaking/canoeing, hiking or mountain biking. Appreciate the clear, tranquil lake by launching a boat or doing whatever water sport your heart desires. Learn more at http:// vermontmountainlakecottages.com.
And what if you want to stay forever? Century 21 Farm & Forest, a quality real estate firm based in Burke, is ready to help you. The top-producing real estate agency in the Northeast Kingdom, it is a fullservice firm offering seller and buyer representation, and can also show visitors more short- and long-term rental properties in the area. Broker/owner Nick Maclure says the Burke area offers great value for real estate investments, and potential buyers can choose from both condos and country homes. Century 21 Farm & Forest also offer winter rentals for Bostonians planning to ski Burke Mountain. Learn more at www.farmandforest.com.
Fall Foliage Festival is a peak moment for Burke in autumn. Cow plop, mountain biking, lakes and trees, that's a true Vermont elixir. Learn more at www. burkevermont.com.