The D&L Trail is one of those rare things that sounds too good to be true but actually delivers. A hundred and sixty five miles of flat, smooth trail running from Wilkes Barre to Bristol along the route of the old Lehigh Valley Railroad and the historic canal system. The forty eight mile section that crosses through the Lehigh Valley is the sweet spot: well maintained, beautifully scenic, and accessible from a dozen trailheads.
The Route
The Lehigh Valley section of the D&L Trail follows the west bank of the Lehigh River on a crushed stone surface that was once the railroad bed. The grade is gentle, rarely exceeding two percent, which makes it ideal for casual riders, families with kids, and anyone who prefers their cycling without lung burning climbs.
The trail passes through a landscape that tells the story of the region's industrial past. Old canal locks, railroad bridges, and remnants of the coal transport system that built the Lehigh Valley appear at regular intervals. You're riding through history, even if you're mostly focused on not hitting the jogger ahead of you.
Key Sections
The stretch from Bethlehem to Easton is the most popular for casual riders. It's about fifteen miles each way, mostly flat, and ends in a downtown area with plenty of restaurants and cafes for refueling. The trail hugs the river for much of this section, offering views of the water and the wooded bluffs on the opposite bank.
North of Bethlehem, the trail heads toward Slatington and Walnutport, where the scenery becomes more rural and the crowds thin out. This is a good section for riders who want a longer, quieter ride without driving to the Lehigh Gorge area.
The Lehigh Gorge Extension
For the ambitious cyclist, the D&L Trail connects seamlessly to the Lehigh Gorge Trail, which runs twenty six miles from White Haven to Jim Thorpe. The Gorge trail is a downhill ride through some of the most dramatic scenery in the state, with waterfalls, rock formations, and dense forest on both sides. Shuttle services in Jim Thorpe will drive you and your bike to the top so you can ride the full twenty six miles downhill. It is one of the best cycling experiences in Pennsylvania.
Connecting Trails
The D&L Trail is the spine of a growing network of connecting trails across the Lehigh Valley. The Ironton Rail Trail, Saucon Rail Trail, Nor Bath Trail, and Palmer Township Bike Path all link to the D&L, creating a web of car free riding options that continues to expand. You can spend an entire day exploring different trails without ever riding the same section twice.
Practical Tips
The trail is open year round, dawn to dusk. There are no fees. Parking is available at numerous trailheads along the route. Bike rentals are available in Jim Thorpe and several other towns along the trail.
Bring water. The trail is shaded in many sections, but summer rides can get hot. A flat repair kit is smart since the crushed stone surface occasionally produces a slow leak. And keep your speed reasonable, especially on weekends when the trail is shared with walkers, runners, and families with young kids on training wheels.
The D&L Trail is one of the best things about living in the Lehigh Valley. Flat, scenic, free, and right in your backyard. If you own a bicycle and you haven't ridden it yet, what are you waiting for?
