2020

D&L TrailPennsylvania

Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous; please referto the interactive maps on the websites in the Related Content

Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous;please refer to the interactive maps on the websites in theRelated Content section. 

The D&L Trail runs for more than 140 miles throughEastern Pennsylvania, from Philadelphia’s northernmetro area to Mountain Top in the Appalachians. Itfollows historical canal and railroad routes at the core ofthe Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, wherenatural resources and human ingenuity combined topower the nation’s Industrial Revolution.

The trail follows the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers throughBucks, Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon, and LuzerneCounties. After several gaps are closed, it will be thelongest rail-trail in the state at more than 160 miles. This

national recreation trail is included in five regional trailsystem projects: the Circuit Trails, which will connect 800miles of trail in Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey; THELINK trail network in the Lehigh Valley, working to connectmore than 500 miles of trails; the Northeastern PennsylvaniaTrails Forum; the September 11th National Memorial Trail;and the East Coast Greenway, which will run from Maine toFlorida.

It’s a good idea to visit the official trail website(delawareandlehigh.org) before heading out to check on localconditions. You’ll find valuable information on detours,lodging, dining, shuttles, and other services. While directionsto and from on-road sections of the trail are marked in manycases, it’s best to refer to the website’s detailed collection ofmaps and detour information for each trail gap before makinga long-distance trip. A portable GPS device is alsorecommended.

Delaware Canal State Park Segment: 58 miles

The southern section of the D&L Trail from Bristol to Eastonpasses through the linear Delaware Canal State Park fornearly 60 miles. This is the longest section of trail, with onlyminor interruptions. The crushed-gravel surface follows thetowpath that dates to the early 1800s, when Bristol was chosenas the terminus of the canal that carried huge shipments ofanthracite coal to drive regional industries.

Travelers through here will find canal locks, aqueducts, andother historical structures and homes. Between Bristol andMorrisville the trail passes near Levittown, an early exampleof the modern American suburb. Dining and lodging areavailable in many towns along this route. The tree-linedwaterway supports bald eagles, herons, and ospreys, as well assmaller bird species and other wildlife. Walleye, bass, andshad thrive in the Delaware River.

Technically, the starting point for the trail begins at Bristol

D&L TrailPennsylvania

TrailLink.com

Parking & Trail Access

To reach the southern trailhead in Bristol from I-95, take Exit42 to merge onto US 13 S/Bristol Pike toward Bristol. Go 1.4miles, and turn left onto Beaver St./Beaver Dam Road. Go 0.2mile, and turn left onto Jefferson Ave. Go 0.2 mile, and turnright onto Prospect St. Make an immediate right into theparking lot.

To reach the Canal Street trailhead in Northampton from I-78E, take Exit 59, and turn left onto W. Rock Road. In 0.2 mileturn left onto PA 145, and go 2 miles. Continue straightanother 2.1 miles, as the road changes names from S. FourthSt., Basin St., S. Third St., and finally American Pkwy. Turn leftonto Sumner Ave., and go 0.8 mile. Turn right onto N. Sixth St.,which merges into MacArthur Road in 0.2 mile. Continue onMacArthur, which rejoins PA 145, for 2.7 miles. Turn rightonto Lehigh St., go 1.2 miles, and then continue onto EugeneSt., which turns into Cypress St. Turn left onto Fourth St., andgo 1.3 miles (note that Fourth St. turns right and becomesMain St.). Turn left onto W. 10th St., which turns right andbecomes Canal St. Look for the small parking lot at theendpoint, immediately to your left. Another larger parking lotis available just 0.3 mile farther along Canal St., to your left.

To reach the Northampton trailhead from I-78 W, take Exit60B to merge onto PA 145 N. In 2.8 miles, continue straightonto S. Fourth St., and follow the directions above from there.

To reach the northern trailhead in Mountain Top from I-81 N,take Exit 165A to merge onto PA 309 S. (From I-81 S, take Exit165, and turn left onto PA 309. Go 1 mile to start the followingdirections.) Go 3 miles, and turn left onto Woodlawn Ave. Go0.1 mile, and turn left onto Lehigh St. Look for parking on theright.

 

States: Pennsylvania

Counties: Bucks, Carbon, Lehigh, Luzerne,

Northampton

Length: 142.2miles

Trail end points: Jefferson Ave. between

Prospect St. and Canal St. (Bristol) to Lehigh St.

at Woodlawn Ave. (Mountain Top)

Trail surfaces: Asphalt, Ballast, Crushed Stone,

Dirt, Gravel

Trail category: Rail-Trail

Trail activities: Bike, Fishing, Wheelchair

D&L TrailPennsylvania

TrailLink.com

D&L TrailPennsylvania

TrailLink.com