Written by Silas Chamberlin

Our “Take a Hike!” series periodically features a favorite day hike or bike on the D&L Trail. The fifth installment is a trip on the very-popular Walnutport section of the Lehigh Canal.  Trail users can travel 1.9 miles south and 2 miles north from the Walnutport Trailhead but, because the towpath terminates on both ends of this section, you must backtrack to Walnutport.   At the towpath southern terminus, check out what remains of the Bertsch Creek aqueduct. On the northern end, you’ll get views of the Lehigh Gap’s rocky slopes from a new perspective.  For an alternate route, cross the bridge into Slatington, and use that section of the D&L Trail to access Lehigh Gap and the Appalachian Trail.  There are shops for necessities and good places to eat in both towns.  Be sure to check out Sal’s Pizza, located catty-corner to the Slatington Trailhead and just a short walk from Walnutport.

Remains of the Bertsch Creek aqueduct, visible at the southern end of this section.

Total Distance: 1.9 miles south; 2 miles north
Rating: Easy
Trail Surface: earthen towpath
Activities: hiking and biking
Trailhead amenities: parking, portable restrooms, local businesses for food and drink

Click here to download a .pdf map of the trail section.

Park at the Walnutport Trailhead, located off of Lehigh Street.  Travel north or south on the canal towpath, for approximately two miles in either direction.  Backtrack to Walnutport for a 4-mile trip.  Do both sections for an 8-mile hike or bike. Alternatively, cross the bridge into Slatington, and use this rolled-cinder rail trail to access Lehigh Gap or enjoy the Slate Heritage Trail, which follows Trout Creek.

Did you take this hike or bike? Have you been here in the past? Leave a comment and let us know about it! Send your photos to Silas@DelawareandLehigh.org.

Written by Silas Chamberlin

Our “Take a Hike!” series periodically features a favorite day hike or bike on the D&L Trail. The fourth installment is a loop hike or bike on the towpaths of the Delaware Canal and the Delaware & Raritan Canal, between Lambertville, NJ and Centre Bridge, PA.  This is an easy section of trail to walk or ride, as it follows the level, earthen or rolled cinder canal towpaths.  There is a .48-mile section of “share the road” riding or walking, just south of Centre Bridge, so please use caution.  On this trip, you will get an up-close look at the Delaware River, visit charming canal towns, and experience great trails in two states.  Be sure to make a day of it by stopping in at some of the many cafes, restaurants, and shops along the way!

Pass through several charming canal towns on this loop trip.

Lambertville to Centre Bridge

Total Distance: 7.1 miles
Rating: Easy
Trail Surface: earthen towpath, rolled cinder, and short street ride
Activities: hiking and biking
Trailhead amenities: parking, local businesses for food and drink

Click here to download a .pdf map of the trail section.

Park at the Delaware & Raritan Canal parking lot in Lambertville, NJ (N40 21.812 W74 56.744).  Access the towpath, where the canal intersects Bridge St., cattycorner to the Lambertville Station.  Travel north.

Mile (from Lambertville starting point)
0.88 – functioning aqueduct
1.04 – use bridge to cross canal and continue on towpath
3.38 – Turn left onto Bridge St. (Stockton, NJ) and continue across the bridge to Centre Bridge, PA.  Using caution, follow Route 32 (River Rd.) for .48 mile and cross canal bridge to  regain towpath of Delaware Canal.  Travel south 3.06 miles.
6.7 – turn left onto Bridge St. in New Hope, PA and cross the river to Lambertville starting point  (7.1 mile round trip)

Optional: Arrange for pick up or leave a car at any town or access point to customize your trip.

Did you take this hike or bike? Have you been here in the past? Leave a comment and let us know about it! Send your photos to Silas@DelawareandLehigh.org.

Written by Silas Chamberlin

Our “Take a Hike!” series periodically features a favorite day hike or bike on the D&L Trail. The third installment is a hike or bike on the Lehigh Canal towpath, between Allentown and Easton. This is an easy section of trail to walk or ride, as it follows the level, earthen or rolled cinder towpath. Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton combine to form the third most populous urban area in Pennsylvania, but you would never know it from this section of trail.  Enjoy continuous views of the Lehigh River, the watered canal, and various historic sites.  You can customize the length and direction of your trip by using any of the trailheads that provide access to this section.  Enjoy!

In Freemansburg, a biker passes the historic remains of a locktender's house and lock.

Allentown to Easton

Total Distance: 16.2 miles
Rating: easy
Trail Surface: earthen towpath and rolled cinder
Activities: hiking and biking
Trailhead amenities: parking at each trailhead; restrooms at Sand Island (Bethlehem), Riverview Park (Palmer Township), and Hugh Moore Park (Easton)
Click here to download a .pdf map of the trail section.

This section of the D&L Trail runs between the Lehigh Valley's three largest cities.

Park at the D&L Trailhead in Lehigh Canal Park, Allentown (off of E. Walnut Street). Travel east on the D&L Trail, which follows the canal towpath.

Mile
3.67 – enter Sand Island, Bethlehem, continue on canal towpath
4.03 – cross Main Street
4.19 – cross bridge on left to regain canal towpath -or- continue straight to reach restrooms in 500 feet
4.63 – D&L Trail Tenders’ Native Plant Garden and Path on right
7.5 – Freemansburg Trailhead (parking) and Historic Locktender’s House
10.4 – Bethlehem Boat Club; use access road to cross canal and follow canal towpath
11.2 – Rt. 33 Boat Launch (parking); regain trail at east end of parking lot
12.8 – Chain Dam; take path on right to follow river
13.33 – path ends; follow Lehigh Drive for short distance
13.66 – cross bridge over river to Hugh Moore Park; make first left and follow path to regain canal towpath
15.1 – Abbott Street Historic Site; use bridge to cross canal
16.2 – Easton / Forks of the Delaware Trailhead (parking)

Optional: Arrange for pick up or leave a car at any trailhead to customize your trip, or start from Easton and travel west to Allentown.

Did you take this hike or bike? Have you been here in the past? Leave a comment and let us know about it! Send your photos to Silas@DelawareandLehigh.org.

Written By Silas Chamberlin

Our “Take a Hike!” series will periodically feature a favorite day hike or bike on the D&L Trail.  The second installment is a hike on the trails within Lehigh Gap Nature Center.  The hike utilizes the D&L and Appalachian trails and the network of footpaths that link the two.  This is a difficult hike that gains elevation rapidly, as the trail ascends the side of the Kittatinny Ridge.  The effort is well worth it.  Expect to see lots of wildlife, especially a variety of birds, and spectacular views to the north.  For those of you on bikes or looking for a less daunting challenge, see the optional ride along the LNE and D&L trails.

A footpath ascends the Kittatinny Ridge.

Lehigh Gap Nature Center: D&L Trail to Appalachian Trail

Total Distance: 7 miles round trip
Rating: Difficult
Trail Surface: rolled ballast and footpath
Activities: hiking (for bikes, see optional route)
Trailhead amenities: parking; portable toilet at Nature Center
Click here to download a .pdf map of the trail section.

Park at the D&L Trailhead on Paint Mill Rd. in Slatington and travel north on D&L Trail.

Mile
0.31 – Lehigh Gap Nature Center
1.35 – left onto short “Bobolink Trail”
1.48 – take “Prairie Grass Trail” (footpath – no bikes) and begin rapid ascent
1.8 – left onto “Charcoal Trail”
2.58 – intersection with “North Trail” (blue blazes)
4.5 – left onto “Appalachian Trail” (white blazes) at second radio tower
6.4 – left onto “Woodpecker Trail”
6.6 – right onto D&L Trail at Lehigh Gap Nature Center
Continue south 0.3 mile to trailhead.

Optional (recommended for riders): At 1.48 make right onto “LNE Trail” (rail trail) and continue west.  Note that biking downhill on the Bobolink Trail may be hazardous, due to the rough surface. At 3.22, follow Pine Tree Lane for 700 feet. Make left onto Sunset Drive and then a quick right. Follow paved road for 350 feet towards river. Make a right onto the D&L Trail (rolled ballast). Continue 3.4 miles to trailhead. Round trip: 6.5 miles.

Did you take this hike? Have you been here in the past? Leave a comment and let us know about it! Send your photos to Silas@DelawareandLehigh.org.

Written By Silas Chamberlin

Our “Take a Hike!” series will periodically feature a favorite day hike or bike on the D&L Trail.  The first installment is a hike or bike on the section of trail between White Haven and Moosehead Lake, with an optional extension to Glen Summit for the adventurous.  For those of you familiar with the sections of the D&L Trail that follow the canal towpath, this section of relatively isolated rail trail will be a refreshing change.  Expect to see a series of marshes, pristine Moosehead Lake, and lots of wildlife.

Moosehead Lake

White Haven to Moosehead Lake

Total Distance: 11 miles round trip (optional 5.2 mile extension)
Rating: Moderate
Trail Surface: rolled cinder and ballast
Activities: hiking and biking
Trailhead amenities: parking
Click here to download a .pdf  map of the trail section.

Park at the White Haven North trailhead and travel north on D&L Trail.

Mile
1.6 – intersection with Middleburg Rd. Travel SW (left) on Middleburg Rd. for 400 ft. to regain trail on right.
3.06 – pass over the “Recycled Bridge”
3.96 – scenic overlook of lake with bench
5.02 – trail narrows; “Indian Cave” ahead on right
5.44 – Moosehead Lake
Turn around for 11 mile round trip

Optional: Continue north from Mooshead Lake for 5.2 miles to reach Glen Summit. The trail is unimproved, with large ballast, and is suitable only for experienced hikers and riders. Schedule pickup at intersection of Lake Road and Pine Lane in Glen Summit.

Click here to see Bill O’Hara’s photos from his ride on this section.

Did you take this hike?  Have you biked this section in the past?  Leave a comment and let us know about it!  Send your photos to Silas@DelawareandLehigh.org.