Delaware and Lehigh (D&L) Trail

Managed by: Multiple property managers
Mileage:

Map: http://www.delawareandlehigh.org/index.php/trail/
Bristol to Easton: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd1/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_004752.pdf

Trail:

Section one; Delaware Canal

0.00 The southern terminus of the Delaware Canal at tidewater was in Basin Park. From the edge of the Delaware River, follow the path along Canal's End Road to the left.

0.22 Reach Nichols Memorial Drive. Directly ahead is a parking lot. Look across the parking lot, and the former canal underpass beneath Old Rt 13 is there, but the canal is filled in. Continue.

0.30 Old Rt 13 underpass. It will be necessary to turn right on the road. Cross Mill Street and a path begins along the left side. This is the Bristol Spur Line Trail, a rail trail. Parallel with the road in this section were the former sites of Locks #1, 2, and 3.

0.40 The path turns left away from Old Rt 13.

0.46 Another path turns right onto the former canal route. Follow it into a line of trees northeast.

0.58 A school parking area appears to have been constructed at least partly over the canal. Continue to cross Beaver Street where the trail should be more apparent ahead.

0.97 Reach Washington Street. Buildings on the right read "Canal Works". Ahead, the canal has water in it, and there are trails on both sides.

1.12 Cross Jefferson Ave. The canal opens up to a huge pond with a fountain in it and manicured lawns around the outside.

1.32 The trail passes beneath a railroad underpass. The trail becomes surprisingly wooded, a dramatic change.

2.15 Cross Green Lane. There is a convenience store to the left. Ahead, the canal is lined with Osage Oranges that litter the trail in Autumn.

2.38 After passing under Rt 276, reach Rt 13, a very busy highway. There is no good crossing. The only way is to dash across. Use extreme caution. Ahead is the site of Lock #4.

2.60 Cross Airport Road

3.12 Cross Edgely Road

3.47 Cross Haines Road. The trail closely parallels Rt 13.

4.07 Cross the entrance to a giant shopping center. It is amazing the canal was left relatively intact with such development.

4.20 Cross another shopping center entrance

4.30 Levittown. Cross Levittown Parkway ahead.

4.63 It is necessary here to cross both north and southbound lanes of Rt 13 at grade. Use extreme caution.

5.64 Cross Mill Creek Road

6.22 Cross Wheatsheaf Road

6.40 Cross Old Bristol Pike

7.68 Cross the entrance road to a junk yard which is on the right. The trail angles right here on a woods road becuase Tyburn Road has severed a section of it.

7.80 A confusing spot. The roadway reaches the very active northeast extension railroad tracks, four tracks wide! Some may be inclined to cross, thinking it is the correct way, but hikers should turn left under the bridge for Tyburn Road, then cut to the left to return to the towpath.

7.92 Regain the towpath trail

8.87 Railroad tracks have been built over the canal. It is necessary to climb over and down the other side.

8.96 Pass under more railroad tracks.

9.54 Pass under Rt 1

9.75 Cross Rt 32

9.93 Cross Pennsylvania Ave near the coner of Union Street.

10.45 Cross Maple Ave

10.55 Cross Calhoun Street, to the right, Calhoun Street Bridge is the route of the East Coast Greenway Trail, as will be sections of the Delaware Canal Towpath. A turn right will lead to a scenic berm walkway along the Delaware here in Morrisville, and across the bridge, it is only a half mile to the Delaware and Raritan Feeder Canal Trail. Loop trips can be made using this.

10.94 Cross East Ferry Road

12.50 Cross Black Rock Road

13.62 Pass under former Pennsylvania Railroad tracks, then a a bridge leads across the canal to the left, to a small park. This is Lock #5.

13.75 Cross Letchworth Ave

14.02 Cross College Ave

14.25 Cross Rt 332, Afton Ave. Edgewater Ave follows the towpath. Brock Creek Aqueduct.

14.55 Edgewater Ave ends, only the towpath continues.

14.65 Access to Fould Road. Mary Yardley Foot bridge.

14.90 Lock #6, also known as Lear's Lock.

15.40 Pass beneath interstate 95.

15.50 Cross Woodside Road

15.70 Lock #7, also known as Borden's Lock

16.37 Mt. Eyre Road crossing.

16.52 Cross Hough's Creek Aqueduct in Taylorsville

16.83 Bridge over the canal to the left.

16.97 Bridge over the canal to left

17.30 Cross Stony Run/Jericho Creek Aqueduct

17.62 Cross Bunker Hill Road

18.15 Cross Rt 532, Washington's Crossing. To the right is Washington's Crossing Park. The bridge over the Delaware can be used to reach Washington's Crossing State Park and the Delaware and Raritan Canal trail on the other side.

18.30 The trail parallels a lovely pond on the right side in Washington's Crossing Park.

18.80 Pedestrian bridge over the canal to the left makes access from Canal Run.

19.02 Access to Overlook Ave. Ahead the canal skirts wide open farm land to the right.

19.45 Cross Collingswood Ave

19.60 Canal and towpath in the woods after being exposed for a bit

20.35 Cross under Rt 32. Ahead, the canal runs much closer to the Delaware River again.

22.30 After turning in land slightly, the canal passes a section of Washington's Crossing Park far from the main park, below Bowman's Hill.

22.50 Pidcock Creek flows into the canal. There is a waste gate here.

22.56 A bridge over the canal makes a connection to Bowmans Hill Wildlflower Preserve, where there are more trails. Fee charged. After a short distance, a fill has been made across the canal for another roadway. After a section of woods, the canal comes close to the Delaware again.

24.00 Pass apartment complex, which looks to be former industry, probably paper mill, on the right. Three bridges crosses the canal to access ahead.

24.10 Another bridge across the canal. There was once a lock in this vicinity, but it was not one of the numbered later ones.

24.20 A third bridge over the canal. The towpath is very close to the edge of the buildings.

24.36 Ahead, there is a spur canal out to the Delaware. This was probably the route boats could have taken to connect between the D&R Canal in NJ to the Delaware Canal here. Cross a bridge over the canal to the left, and follow the main canal north through Lock #8. Two bridges cross the canal.

Towpath street follows the canal towpath.

24.55 The canal is filled in

24.60 Cross Rt 32 and keep to the road a short distance. The trail turns off and ascends to the canal. There are some strange sculptures of animals at this site which cannot be identified.

24.67 Lock #9 was probably about where Rt 32 is now. The canal resumes watered. Continue on the canal through the town of New Hope. Lock # 10 and 11 are between here and Mechanic Street.

24.86 Cross under Mechanic Street. Soon cross Aquetong Creek Aqueduct.

24.96 Cross West Ferry Street

25.03 Pass under York Road. This road to the right leads across the Lambertville-New Hope Free Bridge and can be used to make loop hikes. A very popular one is between here and Bull's Island north.

25.80 Reach new bridge over the canal for Rt 32, near overhead wires. Cross 32.

26.05 Pass beneath high Rt 202 bridge

26.12 Pass under high tension wires

26.55 Bridge over the canal to the left.

27.22 Cross roadway, the access to Virginia Forrest Recreation Area on the right.

27.64 Private bridge over the canal

28.10 Pass under the Stockton-Centre Bridge Free Bridge in Centre Bridge. This bridge can be used to make loops with the D&R Canal also.

28.46 Cross a private drive over the canal

28.90 Giant Hendrick Island in the Delaware within view makes the Delaware look like a small river at this point.

29.40 Bridge over the canal and parking area. Rt 32 and the canal ahead are close together in narrows.

30.40 Quarry access in Lumberville

31.35 Bulls Island Foot Bridge, placed on the historic piers of the Raven Rock-Lumberville Bridge. This bridge leads to Bulls Island Recreation Area of Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. Loop hikes can be made using the D&R Canal and Bel Del Rail Trail from here. White Oak Trail also leads up hill from Raven Rock to the Lockatong trail system.

31.45 Lock 12.

31.55 Paunnacussing Creek Aqueduct

31.86 Wing dams cross the Delaware, leaving a small open area at the center. The original purpose for dams here was to provide water for the Delaware and Raritan Feeder Canal which begins across the river just above these dams.

32.51 Some sort of spillway under the canal

32.80 Point Pleasant, Lock 13. Lock 14 also is not far ahead.

33.20 Just after another bridge over the canal, cross the Tohickon Creek Aqueduct. This fine looking structure is not original, but is aesthetically pleasing yet structurally practical.

33.28 Cross Byram Road. A short walk to the right will reveal the former site of the Byram-Point Pleasant Bridge that was never replaced after it washed away. A left turn on Byram Road leads to River Road. Following it right to a left turn on Cafferty Road will lead in 1.2 miles to Tohickon Valley Park. Trails lead from there along the creek to Ralph Stover State Park. This was originally proposed as the route of the Highlands Trail system, and many scouting hikes were done. In the end, those with power to decided did not want the Highlands Trail utilizing this system.

33.83 Cross a farm access bridge

35.63 Cross Bridge Lane

35.87 Locks 15 and 16

36.00 Cross Bridge Lane again

36.35 Bridge over the canal

36.65 Lock 17

37.67 Cross Tinicum Aqueduct

37.97 Cross Rt 32 again. From this point the trail moves much farther inland from the Delaware River once more.

38.70 Cross Headquarters Road in Erwinna. Ahead, the trail skirts Tinicum Park on the right. There is a road access and other places to get off of the trail along this section, if need be.

40.43 The canal passes under the beautiful  Uhlerstown Hill Road Covered Bridge. Then pass Lock 18.

40.70 A trail to the right leads around the Giving Pond, proposed future headquarters area for Delaware Canal State Park.

41.30 Pass under Jugtown Hill Road. Next pass lock 19. In this section a bridge crosses the canal near the end of Quarry Lane.

42.34 Cross Lodi Hill Road. Current park headquarters is here.

42.87 Bridge over canal. The canal skirts very large back yards.

43.20 Cross Berm Lane

43.50 Cross Canal lane. The canal passes through the town of Upper Black Eddy. Although a free bridge crosses here, there is no trail with which to make a loop from this point, although extending the rail trail has been proposed.

43.80 Cross Bridgeton Hill Road

44.36 Cross Rt 32 again

44.50 Bridge over the canal leads to public meadows on the right along the Delaware

46.12 Pass beneath overhead wire cut

46.40 The canal and Rt 32 are close together once again in a narrow area. Much of the canal has been badly washed out in these areas.

47.05 Top Rock is directly overhead. These are the Nockamixon Cliffs to the south, popular with ice climbing and part of Delaware Canal State Park. Once accessible via a trail, the land through which Top Rock was once accessed is now private, and a home has been built on it.

47.40 Lock 20

46.67 Foot bridge over the canal and Gallows Run Aqueduct just past. Turn away from Rt 32.

48.02 parallel a road briefly

48.25 Cross Island Road

48.40 Cross Sunday Road and skirt fields on the right.

48.77 Bridge over the canal to a farmstead

49.12 Pass a few buildings

49.75 Reach Lock 21, and immediately after the Durham Aqueduct. To the left, the old road bridge still exists next ot the current Rt 32 bridge. Durham Boats are named for Durham PA, where they were invented. It was Durham Boats that carried Washington's army over the Delaware on Christmas 1776. The canal was actually at Durham Furnace. The village of Durham is a short distance west.

49.93 Bridge over the canal and parking area. A view back across Rt 32 reveals a massieve rock cut. This was the near eastern terminus of the Quakertown and Eastern Railroad, a short lived and nearly forgotten line which travelled from the Reading Railroad in Quakertown to Durham Furnace. Plans to extend it north to Easton never came to fruition.

50.00 Entering the town of Rieglesville PA

50.82 Foot bridge over the canal carries the Highlands Trail, which begins far north into NY state. The proposed Highlands Trail route will follow the towpath north from here to Easton, then follow Lehigh Canal to Bethlehem. See Highlands Trail.

50.88 Cross under Delaware Road.

51.35 Municipal park across the canal to the left, but there is not yet a foot bridge.

52.08 Rt 611 and the canal come close together in another narrows.

53.55 Raub's Island to the right of the trail nearly attatches to the main land with a sand bar. The water is so shallow it can be waded to.

53.64 Locks 23 and 24 in Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area. The entire state park was once named Theodore Roosevelt State Park.

54.25 Bridge over the canal in Raubsville.

54.50 Spillway over the canal towpath

54.70 Foot bridge over the canal

54.90 Repaired section of towpath following floods of 2006

55.28 Foot bridge over the canal

56.75 A foot bridge to the left leads into a park

57.10 Another footbridge on the left leads into the park

57.45 Pass beneath Rt 78 on a high bridge

58.57 Foot bridge over the canal to the left

59.40 Pass under the first of three old railroad bridges. This one was the former Lehigh Valley Railroad. The second bridge was the Central Railroad of NJ; it is still actively used by Norfolk Southern.

59.45 Pass beneath the former Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad bridge. It too is still actively used by Norfolk Southern.

Here is Lock 24, the last lock on the Delaware Canal. From this point, boats could connect from the Lehigh Canal, which used slack water on the Lehigh to the west, or cross the Delaware using a cable system. A wooden dam was in place which provided enough slack water for boats to cross. They would then be ushered onto Inclined Plane #11 West on the way to Jersey City. This area provides an excellent view of the forks of the Delaware and Lehigh, as well as the Northampton Street Free Bridge. Turn left across the Delaware Canal locks into a portion of Hugh Moore Park.

There is a fish ladder here which is meant to allow the Shad to swim back up stream to spawn, bypassing the dam.

This is the end of the Delaware Canal section.

Section 2, Lehigh Canal/D&L Trail

The first section of the D&L Trail is easy to figure out. It simply follows the Delaware Canal from Bristol north to Easton. The Lehigh section is much different. First, the canal does not always provide a route along the Lehigh, therefore alternative railroad beds must be used for the main trail. In many cases, trails exist on both sides of the Lehigh making possible loop hikes or alternative routes to the D&L Trail.

At Metrotrails, we strive to present all alternatives, but for the Long Distance Trails section, we will continue the mileage on the most obvious through route. Also, many different  property managers oversee sections of the Lehigh Canal, whereas the Delaware Canal is entirely part of DCNR. The lack of continuity in the Lehigh section also adds to the diversity and overall interest of the trail.

59.48 After crossing the bridge from the Delaware Canal, turn right on a paved path along the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. The path descends to the edge of the Lehigh to follow the towpath.

59.65 There is access to Rt 611 to the trail here. This may become the route to connect the Warren Highlands Trail with the main Highlands Trail, which is proposed to follow this route.

59.70 After under the former CNJ Railroad bridge, pass under Rt 611 on the shelf walkway for the old towpath. This is a very interesting section directly along the water of the Lehigh River. The South Easton Bridge, another old rail bridge, can be seen looming over the Lehigh in the distance.

60.30 The trail passes under the South Easton Bridge. It is proposed that this old Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge be decked and converted to a pedestrian bridge. It would be quite an undertaking, but the trail would be outstanding.

The Lehigh Canal ceases to be a slack water route, and appears on the right with an old lock site.

60.40 Cross the canal on a small bridge over the lock site and follow the canal west. The paved trail continues straight and rejoins the towpath ahead, but passes a few abandoned building ruins along the way.

The Lehigh Canal follows a narrow area, and passes by some interesting old coal chutes across the canal, along the Lehigh Valley Railroad tracks.

61.56 The trail splits. The D&L Trail turns right on the paved path as it leaves the canal and reaches a parking area and bridge across the Lehigh at 61.75. Ahead, the canal towpath passes under an old bridge, under the new Glendon Bridge, and reaches the Hugh Moore Park boat ride area in less than a mile. It reaches the next guard lock where the Lehigh Canal used slack water at Chain Dam, then turns left to cross the locks on a bridge, and continues along the Lehigh upstream to the site of the former mule bridge. The cables that held the mule bridge are still in place. Across is an island where there was once an amusement park. The Lehigh Canal then remains on the other side of the Lehigh until reaching Lehigh Gorge in the Upper Division. The distance out to the end of this trail is about a mile and a half. Near the lock, there is an alternative return route via a paved path through Hugh Moore Park that leads back to the same bridge D&L Trail will cross.

61.75 Cross the old Glendon Bridge on Hill Road. Once on the other side, turn left on Lehigh Drive.

62.10 Pass under the new Glendon Bridge for 25th Street.

62.20 Reach Lehigh River Park. The trail continues along the river from here, on the south side of the park.On the other side of the park, the abandoned Central Railroad of NJ is also a trail running parallel. It leads in the opposite direction off of the rail bed to a housing development, but otherwise remains parallel.

62.31 Parking lot on the right near ball fields, and a cross path which leads to the right to a platform along the river.

62.73 Reach Chain Dam. There is a fish ladder here similar to the one at the forks of the Delaware and Lehigh. The Lehigh Canal originally crossed the river via some sort of cable just above Chain Dam, and followed a towpath along slack water north of here, however it was changed in later years, and the mule bridge was built to the Island park. The lower of the two trails passes below the CNJ right of way through a stone culvert, then climbs steeply to Chain Dam Road. D&L Trail will continue along the former CNJ right of way, now a similarly paved path west.

From the Chain Dam, a rustic unmarked foot path follows on or close to the route that the original towpath would have taken, and is quite beautiful. It can become very overgrown in the Summer, but most of the  year it is easily clear enough to walk. It eventually makes it's way to the railroad bed as well.

64.06 Another paved path turns off to the right here. This is the Palmer Bike Path, which leads gradually up hill to connect with the Wilson Bike Path. See Palmer Bike Path.

64.40 Parking area. The former CNJ right of way ahead is part of the access road, but it turns away and the CNJ becomes quite overgrown and difficult to follow. D&L Trail turns left down hill to a fishing pier, then continues along the river as it has regained the Lehigh Canal towpath recognizably. The canal prism soon appears from the river, apparently where the slack water section ended. There are many rope swings into the Lehigh in this area.

64.82 Pass beneath the high Rt 33 bridge.

65.12 Reach an access road to a private boat club. It comes from under a lovely stone arch bridge beneath the old CNJ line to the right. The D&L Trail turns left crossing a fill over the old canal, then turns right, the towpath now on the south side. There is a former lock site hidden in the weeds to the right of the trail. This is an incredible, secluded section of towpath that is beautiful to walk. Ahead there are ruins of a stone lock tender's house near another lock site. The canal remains mostly dry throughout this section, and overgrown.

66.54 Access to Wilson Ave

68.00 Reach Freemansburg Lock. This is a beautiful little park along the canal with restored canal era buildings including lock tender's house.

68.10 Reach second of two accesses across the canal prism. A watered canal passes through Freemansburg.

68.53 Foot bridge over the canal to Monroe Street, Freemansburg

68.80 Pass under Freemansburg Bridge, which crosses the Lehigh. There are stairs which lead walkers onto the bridge. Continue on the towpath into another secluded but watered section. The water in the canal begins to flow and is  very silted in.

70.12 Pass under a wide overhead wire clearing across from former Bethlehem Steel. The site is under redevelopment as Sands Casino and other things. Still, the amazing steel stacks define the skyline.

70.20 Pass under the Minsi Trail Bridge. Steps lead to the top for those wishing to cross. A loop hike can be made using the South Bethlehem Greenway by crossing here.

70.65 Directly across from the steel stacks

70.95 A foot bridge crosses Monocacy Creek on the right before it enters the Lehigh. It crosses into Island Park. Paved paths continue there and rejoin the canal ahead. There is also a set of stairs to the top of the Fahy Bridge via this route, making possible other loop hikes.

71.25 Pass beneath the modern looking Fahy Bridge (no access at this point)

71.36 A bridge crosses the canal to the right and the CNJ tracks, which resume from being overgrown here. The canal ahead crosses an aqueduct over Monocacy Creek and continues well watered on the other side.

70.50 Cross Main Street in Bethlehem. Many events take place year round in this area including Musikfest, Celtic Fest, and a Christmas festival. Turning right here allows for a crossing of the Lehigh on the Hill to Hill Bridge for other loop hikes. The Highlands Trail will probably one day use either the Minsi Trail, Fahy, or Hill to Hill bridge to reach South Bethlehem Greenway, the next step in it's route.

71.57 Pass beneath the Hill to Hill Bridge, an interesting concrete arch structure.

71.66 Pass beneath an old railraod bridge, still active. Soon after, pass an open area where many Musikfest acts have performed over the years.

72.50 The canal grows narrow in this area because of the extension of the railroad yard on the other side. This is one of the only remaining gravity yards on any railroad in the eastern US.

74.50 A clearing on the river side of the trail

75.50 The trail comes to a Lehigh Canal Park, with picnic areas and pavilions. Continue along the towpath.

75.67 A road crosses the canal on a bridge. Just after, pass beneath an active railroad trestle

75.80 After a clearing, the towpath enters a wooded area. It can become quite overgrown, and the most obvious path sometimes can be difficult to find. Cyclists will most certainly want to cross the previous bridge and keep to the other side of the canal for a bit.

76.25 Pass beneath the Hamilton Street Bridge at a lock site. Ahead is a large dam, possibly the largest spill dam remaining on the Lehigh. The canal followed a slack water section to the north of here.

76.30 At the dam, cross a bridge over the old locks, and follow stairs up to a parking area above the dam, next to the railroad tracks.

As of now, the route to the north has not yet been constructed. The canal would have been along the railroad tracks, using slack water of the Lehigh. Much of it ahead is obliterated. We can only recommend a route that eliminates some road walking, and was not posted private when last scouted.

Follow the access road to the right, then cross the railroad tracks on the road's grade crossing.

76.43 Turn left on Albert Street and pass back beneath the Hamilton Street Bridge gradually heading up hill.

76.60 Turn left on a gravel roadway to the left of Albert Street at the corner

76.80 Reach an open area with a retention pond parallel with a development. Continue on a narrow track to the left, parallel with the homes atop the hillside.

77.00 Come to a clearing behind some buildings. Keep to the left and head north out toward the road.

77.06 Reach North Bradford Street and turn left, parallel with the railroad tracks.

77.17 A grade crossing to the left would lead to the former canal, but there is nothing to walk. Continue on Bradford.

77.40 Pass beneath Union Blvd Bridge.

77.75 Reach intersection, state rt 1007. Turn left.

77.77 There is a wide clearing to the left of the road.

77.85 Cross a creek on the road bridge, then turn off of the road into a parking area on the left hand side. There is a view of an abandoned railroad trestle to the left. In the summer time, local youths jump off of this bridge. Many have been injured doing so.

77.98 Reach the north end of the parking area. The trail continues as a grassy path from here, parallel with the tracks.

78.10 An open area affords a view of the Lehigh

78.18 Cross an access road leading to a large private lot across the tracks to the left. The trail can be rather overgrown in this area. It continues to the north parallel with the road.

78.50 Pass beneath Rt 22

78.75 The trail passes through Catasaqua Lake Park. There is a large tree along the former canal route here.

78.82 The canal, now recognizable compared to before, though dry, skirts Catasaqua Lake on the right.

79.10 The canal resumes full of water.

79.50 Parking area to the right of the towpath trail. Canal remains watered.

79.65 The canal reaches a creek in Catasaqua. Turn left and cross a small informal foot bridge, then out toward the main street to the Lehigh bridge

79.70 Cross Bridge Street.Switch sides of the canal and continue north.

79.80 A foot bridge crosses the canal to the right

80.08 An old bridge passes beneath the tracks parallel to the left.

80.27 Pass beneath Pine Street. The tow path starts to become rather overgrown ahead.

80.72 The former Central Railroad of NJ crosses a creek, which is inpassable without trespassing. It is unclear which route the trail will take. We would guess the proposed route might be under the previously mentioned underpass, or by keeping to the other side of the canal for a time. Regardless, exercise caution, respect private property, and use good judgement on how to reach the next section of trail.

80.88 Pass beneath Eugene Street. Just north of here is a former dam site which provided slack water. Some paths exist along the Lehigh, but can be rather overgrown. It is difficult to continue through here.

81.70 A creek underpass below the tracks is to the right. A good path along the Lehigh, following on or close to the former Lehigh Canal towpath is easy to follow north of here.

81.85 Former guard lock site at the end of a slack water section of Lehigh Canal. The trail crosses the old lock site and continues on the towpath along the other side.

81.97 Pass beneath the old Ironton Railroad Trestle. This trestle is not a trail.

82.07 Pass beneath 9th Street.

82.14 Cross a foot bridge over a creek. Ahead, the canal is filled in, and there is a parking area on the left. A pathway follows on or close to where the canal used to be. Continue upstream parallel with the Lehigh on the trail.

82.46 Baseball fields on the right

83.03 More parking on the right. The trail continues through a park, with a wide, manicured lawn to the right.

83.34 The trail comes to a parking area. A dam is in the river to the left. In order to continue on D&L Trail, it is necessary to climb to Rt 329 on the road, and cross the bridge. The towpath however, does continue on as a trail for some time. In 0.3 mile to the north, the trail passes an authentic Lehigh Canal boat. During the abandonment of the canal, boats were intentionally sank in an adjacent quarry and forgotten. In recent years, attempts were made to retrieve one. This fine speciment sits along the shore of the canal to give visitors an idea of what the boats looked like that used the canal.

A path follows the canal towpath for over two miles to the north of this site, but it becomes more and more overgrown to the north until all signs of the canal disappear.

83.40 After turning right off the towpath onto Canal Street, reach Rt 329 at the bridge and turn left, to cross.

83.60 To the right, reach the abandoned right of way of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Follow it north, to the right. The rail bed first passes behind homes in an open area, then enters a wooded area parallel with state rt 1027.

84.57 There is an access road to the left, under power lines. Utility buildings along the trail here.

85.02 Pass under power lines

85.42 Another power line clearing, this one quite wide

85.60 Homes on the right on a side road

85.90 Cross River Road parallel with Rt 145. Pass ruins on the right.

86.68 The trail passes near to a home on the left

87.02 Skirt a field on the left

87.45 The trail crosses Gypsy Lane next to Cove Road intersection

87.54 Turn right onto Cove Road

87.60 Pass beneath Rt 145 bridge over the Lehigh. Continue through a clearing and follow the rail bed upstream parallel with the river

88.20 The ruins of the Treichler Dam are in the Lehigh River to the right.

89.12 The trail passes near a house on the left

90.09 Cross an access road. Soon parallel another road

90.38 Cross a driveway. The trail continues on along the Lehigh and closely parallels Riverview Road. The next section has dramatic cliffs and cuts.

92.07 Former Lehigh and New England Railroad trestle site

92.25 Some sort of warehouse clearing to the left

92.37 The trail begins to parallel Railroad Street

92.73 Cross a creek near the middle of Slatington PA. The Slate Heritage Trail, which follows both a spur of the Lehigh and New England Railroad and the Schuykill and Lehigh Branch of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad intersects here (see Lehigh County)

92.80 Cross Main Street in Slatington. Crossing the bridge to the right leads to Walnutport, where a section of the Lehigh Canal can be hiked, although it is not a through route. From main street south in Walnutport, the canal towpath can be followed 2.1 miles to the ghost town of Lockport. A few buildings remain in the woods, but it is nearly forgotten, and the buildings have badly deteriorated. There is no parking or access from the south end. Beyond this point the canal entered a slack water section on a pool in the Lehigh.

To the north, the towpath trail can be followed 1.8 miles to another former slack water section, and a former dam site. It too is very secluded and beautiful, and offers a nice perspective of Lehigh Gap from the guard lock site. A ladder leads up from the canal to the right to the railroad tracks, but it is not an official trail. Further to the north, the canal is clear through Lehigh Gap, but cannot be followed for long due to private property.

92.92 Former quarried area to the right. It offers a view of the Lehigh.

93.10 Sewage treatment facility on the left

93.30 The rail bed parallels the Slatington Airport on the right. This section of trail is very well graded, but also offers a glimpse of the past, as one set of the rails is left in to the left ahead.

93.68 Cross airport access road

94.60 Cross an access road to a building on the right; the rail bed and trail begin to closely parallel Paint Mill Road. The surface changes a bit just ahead.

94.80 Pass beneath the Rt 873 bridge nearing Lehigh Gap. This bridge carries the Appalachian Trail overhead, across the Lehigh.

95.00 The trail passes by the Osprey House in Lehigh Gap Nature Center, the center headquarters. Access is available to the Lehigh and New England Rail bed, another trail here, as well as the AT and other trails. Woodpecker Trail leads to the AT. See Lehigh Gap Nature Center.

95.08 Access to the LNE trail to the left.

95.32 The former LNE trestle across Lehigh Gap was to the left and over head. The mountains are denuded of trees in areas due to past zinc smelting in Palmerton PA.

96.05 Bobolink Trail to the left leads up  hill to the LNE rail bed trail, and directly across to Charcoal Trail which ascends to North Trail and the AT.

97.43 Intersection with one branch of Three Ponds Trail.

97.55 Another section of Three Ponds Trail intersects

97.85 The rail bed becomes a road. Continue ahead on the road, to the right. If heading south, ignore "no trespassing" signs, the rail bed is part of Lehigh Gap Nature Center, and is public land.

98.15 Access road to parking area and boat launch on the right

98.37 Open yard with vehicles to the left. This was once a junction site, where a westbound branch of the Lehigh Valley Railroad continued on the north side of Blue Mountain.

98.55 Cross Lizard Creek on a road bridge, former rail bridge

98.68 Private drive on left

98.94 Reach Lizard Creek Road. This section is still undeveloped, but clear. It may not be open, so be prepared to follow a parallel road walk if necessary. Head across to Bowman Road. An access to a boat launch on the Lehigh is next to the bridge. The rail bed continues north from here. Repairs to the PA Turnpike to the north may make this section inaccessible for a time.

99.40 The remains of a dam is in the Lehigh River to the right, once a slack water pool for the Lehigh Canal on the opposite side continued from here.

99.60 Reach a clearing, where the PA Turnpike's Northeast Extension/Rt 476 towers above to the left

99.86 An access road from the highway descends from the left. Do not follow it.

100.15 Pass beneath Rt 476

101.10 Clearing and buildings on the left. Private

101.42 Access road to the buildings joins the rail bed.

101.70 Cross a creek on the road

101.93 Pass beneath Rt 209 bridge over the Lehigh, entering the town of Lehighton.

102.04 Pass beneath Forge Street. Ahead, at earliest convenience, leave the road and turn left to Rt 209, and turn left to cross the Forge Street bridge over the Lehigh.

102.25 East side of Forge Street Bridge. A clear path follows the top of a flood berm along the Lehigh. It is a common mistake that this is the Lehigh Canal towpath. It is not, although it does lead to the towpath, but should not be followed to make the short cut, as it would require an illegal crossing of the railroad tracks.

102.30 Pass Railroad Street on the left.

102.40 Pass Allen Street on the left

102.43 Cross Allen Street and continue

102.50 After crossing the railroad tracks, reach the Lehigh Canal. The Lehigh Canal towpath can be hiked to the south as far as Parryville, but beyond that much of it is obliterated because Rt 248 was constructed on top of it. Some of it may be inaccessible due to recent work on the PA Turnpike. It is usually possible to follow the towpath south from here another 1.8 miles. To continue north, turn left and follow the canal north. Very nice scenery in town with a well cared for waterfront here.

102.60 The canal and towpath remain clear, and enter a more wooded area.

102.80 A side trail to the left leaves the canal and follows the berm back out to Forge Street. Another path to the right crosses the canal and leads to parking. Strange, parallel mountain bike trails will be seen deviating from the canal from here to Jim Thorpe area. They are quite impressive, with intense bridges made of sticks and more!

103.43 Former canal lock site and "bridge to nowhere". A side trail leads to a community garden, then a religious property from here.

103.60 Pass beneath overhead wires

104.27 Pass beneath overhead wires

105.00 Reach another former lock site. A foot bridge crosses the canal to an observation platform with fantastic views up and down the Lehigh. The trail continues ahead through narrows, with a high wall to the left dropping off to the Lehigh.

105.37 Pass beneath former Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge, now active Norfolk Southern.

105.60 The canal, no longer watered, becomes more silted in. The trail continues on rather clear, and one of the parallel mountain bike paths continues into the canal prism.

105.68 Foot bridge over the canal at another former lock site

106.09 The trail appears to end abruptly at a waste water facility. It is possible to get around this to the left, by skirting the fence. It appears to be used as a trail.

106.28 Another apparent lock site just north of the waste water facility. Path on former canal route continues along the river. The former tow path along the Lehigh may become very overgrown in this area. People do walk through this section, though it may be with some difficulty. Many opt to walk the railroad tracks, though we do not endorse this. It is illegal. Continue to a grade crossing of the tracks.

106.73 Grade crossing of the railroad tracks at Jim Thorpe Market. Cross the tracks and the parking lot, then turn left up hill on Laurel Lane.

106.84 Reach Rt 903 after passing the former Lehigh bridge site on the left. Turn left and cross the bridge on Rt 903. Excellent views from the bridge.

106.96 At the end of the bridge, turn left on Rt 209 with old historic rail cars below on the left.

107.20 Turn left across the former CNJ railroad tracks at a grade crossing into a parking lot and turn left, heading north on the D&L Trail toward Lehigh Gorge. It is worth the side trip to continue south to the old Jim Thorpe Railroad Station, where maps and local interest pamphlets may be acquired. Jim Thorpe, formerly known as Mauch Chunk is an incredible town. Very short road walks connect the trail with the Switchback Railroad trail.

107.50 Pass beneath the Rt 903 bridge just crossed. The trail formally begins along the parking area and continues north.

107.70 End of the parking lot. Continue.

107.80 Access road joins from active tracks. The trail closely parallels the railroad through here.

108.17 Private residence on the right. Private residents use the trail as a driveway legally. No unauthorized motor vehicles allowed.

108.60 Nesquehoning Junction. The tracks split. Trail continues right.

108.68 Abandoned building on the left

108.70 Reach the south end of the Nesquehoning Trestle, which carries the former Central Railroad of NJ across the Lehigh. The D&L Trail follows the abandoned former northbound track right of way across the bridge.

108.86 A path descends to the right to the Lehigh Canal towpath trail south. The trail can be followed 0.9 mile south past beautiful masonry lock sites, the last in use from the Lehigh Canal's Upper Division to Coalport. This section of towpath is a very pleasant grassy foot path which eventually disappears. It is an excellent out and back hike and worth the time if it is available.

108.88 Cross a through style truss bridge over the active former Lehigh Valley Railroad.

108.90 The trail turns left and closely parallels the park access road to Lehigh Gorge State Park. Parking just ahead on the right.

109.30 Parking on the right

109.45 Last parking area on the right; behind a mound of dirt at the last parking spot is the Glen Onoko Tunnel. This short railroad tunnel carried CNJ Trains through a finger of the Lehigh Gorge slope, and exited immediately onto a trestle across the Lehigh. The tunnel can be hiked through, to the former trestle site where fences protect visitors from falling. It is well worth the side trip.

109.55 Cross the Lehigh on a shared road/trail bridge.

109.60 Glen Onoko trail access is on the right at a parking lot. The trail is not well marked to any standard and can sometimes be difficult.

109.70 More parking below on the right.

109.75 The trail closely parallels the former Lehigh Valley Railroad.

111.25 Pass beneath overhead wires.

112.05 Wire thing across the Lehigh?

114.25 The tracks to the left split to a siding. The trail turns slightly away from the river.

115.40 After a couple small structures, an access road has a grade crossing over the tracks to the left. The trail crosses the tracks ahead at grade.

115.50 Cross the tracks. To the right, they cross the Lehigh. The trail then crosses a creek on a decked former rail bridge. The trail follows sometimes narrow banks through Lehigh Gorge ahead.

121.42 The Lehigh Valley Railroad passes through Rockport Tunnel across the river from here.

123.22 Rockport Road parking access.

122.55 Cross bridge over small creek

123.20 The former Lehigh Valley Railroad emerges from Rockport Tunnel across the river.

124.60 Creek crossing

124.75 Pass beneath overhead wires

125.10 The rail bed follows near to the long abandoned upper division of the Lehigh Canal. Remnants can be see from the rail bed or by short walks from it. The upper division was destroyed by flooding early on and never repaired, but it's lock system was among the biggest the world has ever seen.

126.50 More canal remnants to the right

126.85 County line

127.65 Creek crossing

128.70 Former rail bridge site across the Lehigh

129.94 Tannery Road crossing and parking

131.10 Pass beneath the active former LV Railroad, then enter an open area.

131.25 Pass beneath Interstate 80

131.50 Arrive at a shopping center off of Main Street in White Haven. Continue with the shopping center to the right. The parking lot is built on the rail bed.

131.65 Cross Rt 940

131.87 Pass beneath overhead wires. Soon parallel the active tracks again, though not as close.

132.78 The trail continues north where the Lehigh River turns more to the east, parting ways for the last time on the trail.

133.40 Reach state rt 4021.

Metrotrails has not explored the D&L trail continuously north of this point. Please keep checking back as we continue to update our guides!