Best Adventures Vermont 2011

BEST MOUNTAIN BIKING
Kingdom Trails, East Burke
Pull into the parking lot next to Mountain View Creamery and you’ll find cars with license plates from all over the Northeast and Canada. They’ve made the long drive to East Burke to ride atop rolling countryside, past hundred-year-old barns, along streams, and under tall pines, all on sweeping single-track trails that leave your body coated with Vermont’s finest souvenir, mud. Grab a day pass at the Kingdom Trails Welcome Center. 478 Route 114. 802-626-0737; kingdomtrails.com

BEST ROAD BIKING
Addison County, West Central Vermont
Take a fertile valley, rich with dairy farms and cornfields, and place it alongside Lake Champlain, bordered by the spine of the Adirondack Mountains to the west and the Green Mountains to the east. Then add backcountry roads with little or no traffic, except for that farmer pulling his tractor, and you understand why bikers are attracted to Addison County like bees to a hive. 800-733-8376, 802-388-7591; addisoncounty.com

BEST EPIC CLIMB
Camel’s Hump, Waterbury
The distinctive mass of rock atop this 4,083-foot peak can be seen in the distance across northern Vermont. To stand atop that mighty summit, you’ll need two strong legs, an ample amount of water, and plenty of gorp. There are several trails to the summit, so check the Web site for your most convenient direction. One of the most popular trailheads is off Camel’s Hump Road. 802-879-5682; www.vtstateparks.com/htm/camelshump.htm

BEST PLACE TO SWIM
Lowell Lake STATE PARK, Londonderry
Backed by the Green Mountains, Lowell Lake is a hidden body of water where paddling will bring you within sight of turtles catching some sun on floating branches. Afterwards, jump into the fresh water for your own version of a Vermont baptism. From Route 11, turn onto Lowell Lake Road. In a half mile, turn right at the T intersection; the park entrance is up the hill. 260 Ice House Road. 802-824-4035; www.vtstateparks.com/htm/lowell.htm

BEST PLACE TO SADDLE UP
Kedron Valley Stables, South Woodstock
Horseback riding in Vermont is no pony ride around a barn. Head to Kedron and you could be spending half the day galloping though secluded woods and meadows, or riding into the historic villages of South Woodstock and Weathersfield. Route 106. 800-225-6301, 802-457-1480; kedron.com