Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
Like so many trails in this area, the Great Hazleton Rails to Trails occupies the former corridor of a railroad line that supported the local coal mining industry. After a half century of disuse, the local community has turned the corridor into a source of community pride. Today the trail runs 4 miles, but eventually it will be 16.4 miles and serve as a critical connection in the Delaware Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Trail system (see the trail names beginning with "D&L" under Pennsylvania in the TrailLink.com database).

This trail is well maintained and flat throughout, with a crushed limestone surface perfect for walking and biking. It has nice amenities, including good signs, mile markers and parking facilities with trail maps. Keep in mind, however, that the trail dead-ends onto Beryllium Road, a decaying, old paved road that you can't find on any map. So, although the route is 4 miles, it's best to consider it an 8-mile ride out and back until the planned trail extensions are complete.

The trail is well maintained, with frequent residential access points during the first mile. You'll find locals strolling, walking their dogs or getting in a quick jog. This trail is a popular place for geocaching, a game of hiding and seeking treasures with your GPS unit. Geocaching here is best done when leaves are off the trees, given that the trail is predominately tree-lined, with most sections covered in tree canopy. If you are looking to get a little more exercise, check out the five permanent exercise stations along the first mile.

There is only one major road crossing before the 1-mile mark, and it is well signed. At about mile 2.5, the trail briefly loses its tree cover and picks up water views, as it runs alongside Drake's Creek Reservoir. At the end of the reservoir, enjoy a scenic overlook and picnic table. From here the trail winds back into the woods and is less populated than the first half. You'll see an occasional path leading into a few neighboring communities as the trail winds down and dead-ends on Beryllium Road.

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Parking & Trail Access:
From Interstate 81 on the south side of Hazleton, take Exit 141, turning right onto 4242 Arthur Gardner Parkway. Travel east about 4 miles until it dead-ends at State Route 93. Turn left at the 93 intersection. The trail entrance and parking lots are immediately on your right and well marked by a large sign.

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Review part 2
By dirtrider in October, 2009
I just wanted to add, that out of the trails I have been riding, this was by far the most used, and popular trail.
There were people walking, jogging, biking, walking their dogs, I felt really safe riding this trail.
Great Scenic trail
By dirtrider in October, 2009
Today I rode the Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails, what a great scenic trail.

The first mile is hard packed with tiny rocks on the surface, making for a fast trail, after the road crossing it turns to a crushed red limestone surface, some of the rock is larger and definitely more bumpy, but not bad, then I ran into the Hazleton water shed, what a nice view, it was there that I met SCOOTER a very cute Jack Russell who has overcome a lot of adversity in her short life.
The trail turns back into the aforementioned hard pack for the remainder of the trail, where I almost ran over a snake sunning on the trail
It deadheads onto Beryllium road, a decaying old paved road, I rode that to the left for a few miles, then headed back.
All in all a 10.58 mile ride

Check out my videos on U-Tube (search Dirtrider 6) of the Rails to trails that I have been riding, I hope to hit up as many trails as I can before Winter.
Awsome
By gaydoscik in August, 2008
My whole family been walking on this trail daily,and my wife daughter ride our bikes on it as well. My daughter goes on the back of my bike,some parts of the trail are smooth and others are bumpy,but your outdoors you expect it. Its also nice because you don't have to walk of ride in the streets of Hazleton,its quiet and everyone on it is friendly.
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Beryllium road
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: SR 93 & SR 424 to Beryllium Rd
Counties: Luzerne
Trail Length: 4 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Crushed Stone
Trail Activities: Bike, Wheelchair Accessible, Mountain Biking, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6123113

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