Review Date
October 17, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: Blue Sugar ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I spent two days here in mid-October, and had a great time. The trails are well designed and , with a few exceptions, in good condition (few rutted or washed out sections). There is hardly any mud to be found anywhere. As has been said before, the trails are not technically challenging in the sense of being rocky and rooty, but they challenge your braking and high speed cornering skills. The ground up here is very clean, free of rocks and roots, and would be great for farming if you don't mind freezing your ass off from November to May. The map is excellent and the trails pretty well marked, but you can get lost if you're careless or can't read a map.

Recommended Route:
In two six hour days I was able to cover just about every trail in the place. I spent the first day on the trails just outside of town, between the east and west branches of the Passumpsic river. It's best to ride this section in a big counter clockwise loop, going in at the Mountain View Farm parking lot. There's really no prolonged climbing if you go this way, but a lot of up-and-down. And it's not a backcountry experience, since you're never out of earshot of the traffic on rts. 5 and 114. I concentrated on the expert trails, which are smooth and twisty. Great trails for a hardtail, or better yet a 29er hardtail. You'll want to hit Pound Cake, Fence Line, Pastore Point, Tody's Tour, West branch, Hog Back, and Knob. Avoid Jaw, which is a rutted-out mess. Definitely descend Widowmaker from the top at Connector all the way down to East Branch, and hit Pines, Leatherwood, and Peat Bog. Finish off by descending Herb's or Kitchel. The trails along the river are a little bit rockier and rootier than the ones up on the ridge, but still smooth. The trails are fast but you'll be stopping a lot to consult the map, and that will keep your average down.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Kingdom trails on Burke Mountain (see my other review).

Review Date
September 21, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: johncandie ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Kingdown Trails is an annual ritual. Trails are very well maintained. Plenty of elevation. Not as technical as some places, but fantastic cross country riding!

Recommended Route:
My favorite trails are Camptown, Dead Moose Alley, Moose Alley, Pines, Kitchel, Tody's Tour, Pastore Point, Leatherwood, Pines. Go to the East Burke Sports- they'll set you up and get you on trails that meet your needs.

Review Date
October 5, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: currier1 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
First, let me say that I am NOT a hard core MTB'r. I'm just a guy who loves my MTB and the places I can go with it. Sure, I admire those that can crank uphill for miles without ever getting tired, but lets face it...some of us have other interests that don't allow us to eat, drink & sleep MTBing. I do manage to ride 2-3 times a week on the local hills/mountains. I love a good climb that makes me give in to walking some of it. The reward? A flat out fast (sometimes out of control) downhill flight back home. So, why am I telling you all this? Because for a review to be meaningful, a little perspective is in order to allow the reader to understand my skill level. With that out of the way, I want to tell you what I think of Kingdom Trails. Lets put it this way...I rode there on Sunday; it is now Wednesday and I have not stopped thinking about how much fun I had in my 4 hour/18 mile tour.

As everyone recommended, I stopped in at East Burke Sports (great guys) to get my orientation. Well worth the stop. Given what I'd read here, I bought a membership (they now cost $25). Why? Because without even knowing what to expect, it was obvious that these guys/gals put a lot of sweat equity into something that is virtually unheard of. Anyway, I got a recommendation of what I could achieve in my available time and off I went. Poundcake, Fenceline, Tody's, River Run, West Branch, Webs, Pines, Widow Maker, Worth It, Mansion, Kitchel (there were others)...FUN, FUN, FUN!!! I was by myself and I must have sounded like a nut hooting and hollering my way along. What an unbelievable day.

Now for the honesty portion of my show...Despite my feelings of being ready for a four hour ride, by the time I was 90% done with my loop, I cramped up. Like I said before, some of you hardcores may not think anything of an 18 mile loop, but it got the better of me. I managed to regain my composure long enough to finish out my oh-so-sweet finale on Kitchel. Everything I rode was very manageable and not scary at all.

This weekend? I’m headed for other side of the street to check out the Mountain trails! I’ll let you know how they are.

Bottom line? Make sure you try this place at least ONCE!

Recommended Route:
Explain your skills and available time to the folks at EBS. They'll set you up with the perfect combo of trails to match, especially if this is your first time.

Review Date
September 9, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: xfimpg ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Correction on my previous review/recommendation! Coaticook is not for intermediates,as advertised. The trails do not flow well and there are too many large obstacles for an intermediate rider to develop any sense of confidence. Knee pads and a second set of lungs are a must.

Recommended Route:
Keep driving and go to Kingdom Trails!

Review Date
August 27, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: xfimpg ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Absolute, absolute paradise, something for everybody, well maintained, the grassy fields are great to go through. I biked for 4 hours and didnt even cover 10% of the trails available there.
Charming little village as well, people are great.

Recommended Route:
All paths are great and true to their rating. Head towards Heaven's Gate and work your way East to Elms, the "pine needle sanctuary" is really nice. From Montreal, go to Magog via Hwy 10 and work your way down Hwy 55 until Vermont Hwy 91, go through West Burke to get to East Burke.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Coaticook!!