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D & L Trail - Lehigh Gorge State Park Trail:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
This trail cuts through 4,500 acres of dramatic river gorge parkland along the Lehigh River on a former canal and railroad route. Board a shuttle in Jim Thorpe to cycle from the northern point in White Haven back to Jim Thorpe. For a shorter, 15-mile experience, pick up the trail in Rockport. The entire route features river views on one side and waterfalls scattered on the steep rock face on the other. Although there is no obvious grade, cyclists have to pedal the entire way. During the last five miles, an active railroad line runs above the trail. The trail officially ends in a parking lot about 1.5 miles north of Jim Thorpe. The town of Jim Thorpe is full of charming shops, and has outdoor outfitters that offer bike rentals and shuttles to the surrounding trails. Two other area rail-trails are the Lehigh Canal North and the Switchback Railroad Trail. Lehigh Gorge State Park offers whitewater rafting, fishing, hunting, and cross country skiing.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To northern trailhead in White Haven: Take exit 273 from I-80 into White Haven Borough. Follow 940 east to the White Haven Shopping Center. Go through the shopping center parking lot and bear left to the state park access area. To the southern trailhead just outside Jim Thorpe: from I-476 Take Exit 74 to 209 South. Follow 209 out of Jim Thorpe to 903 north and cross over the Lehigh River to Coalport road. Turn off of Colaport to Glen Onoko. Interestingly, 209 South actually runs north into Jim Thorpe, so don't be confused by that. To the Rockport trailhead: This is an access point 15 miles north of Jim Thorpe. From Jim Thorpe, take 209 S to PA 93 north. Continue to Lehigh Gorge Drive into the village or Rockport. Turn on SR4014 to access the parking lot for this trailhead. This entire 26 mile trail is wheelchair accessible.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
A wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs are offered April to November. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and campfire programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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A very scenic ride
By dirtrider on November 06, 2009
The week before we rode from Rockport to White haven and back, a 19 mile ride, the following week we rode fro Jim Thorpe to Rockport and back, a 26.7 mile ride, both rides are very scenic you have the River on one side, and numerous waterfalls on the other, the "uphill" grade is very minor, you can hardly notice it, though the trip back is easier!
This trail is greatly used, there are plenty of places to stop and take pictures, or rest at the picnic tables placed all along the trail.
This is by far my favorite trail so far out of the ones I have rode.
Check out my videos of the trail on Utube, search under Dirtrider6.
A great ride in the Fall
By edelfam on October 08, 2009
We last rode this trail 15 years ago and decided to go again. This time we decided not to use the shuttle, so we started by Jim Thorpe and rode north for 20 of the 25 miles. Then we turned around and headed back "downhill". Trail in great shape for our hybrid bikes, little grade, and picnic tables with views of the river every few miles. Enjoyed the fall leaves and the rafters/kayakers going down the Lehigh river.
It's all downhill
By ckran on September 12, 2009
It's a truism that whenever someone says it's all downhill from here that they're lying, but not on the Lehigh Gorge Trail. Two outfitters in Jim Thorpe will shuttle you (for a fee) to the White Haven trailhead and from there while you do have to pedal it is pretty much all downhill. Once you leave town there's no drinking water so make sure your bottles are full.

You really can't get lost, if the river is to your left you are heading South towards Jim Thorpe. While there are leaves on the trees you generally can't see the river from the trail, but there a picnic tables placed where you can stop for a view. There are new signposts on the North end of the trail at least with directions and distances.

The first mile or so, where the path widens to double as parking lot for cyclists and whitewater rafters, is gravel. But once you get past that, except for short stretches at Rockport and Penn Haven, the surface is hard packed crushed limestone. We were able to easily ride this trail on road bikes. Even the last few miles of rail-with-trail where we saw an old passenger train hauled by a steam locomotive.

If you look at the interactive map on this site you might think that the trail extends all the way to Jim Thorpe, but it doesn't, at least not yet. As the notes say it ends in a parking lot near Glen Onoko. There's a bridge over the active rail line but the trail ends with a fence on the other side. Apparently at this point a fence is needed to separate the trail from the railroad. That's supposed to be done by the Spring and then you should be able to ride all the way to Jim Thorpe. For now, another mile or so down the road the outfitters will pick you up for a shuttle back into town.