Ironton Rail-Trail:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
This corridor was originally home to the Ironton Railroad, which began operating in 1860 transporting first iron ore, and later cement from local mills. The railroad was abandoned in 1984.
The trail is a six-mile loop with a three-mile spur. Picking up a paved section of the loop at Hokendauqua Park, you will pass through woods and along a creek before turning north. The trail runs past the Thomas Iron Works Property, then changes to a dirt surface. At Saylor Park in Coplay, the paved surface resumes. With its two rows of old cement kilns, the last standing in the United States, Saylor Park is a must-see.
About two miles past the park the loop intersects with the crushed stone spur, which passes scenic Whitehall Parkway and its ruins of old cement industry buildings. The rest of the loop goes through woods and neighborhoods.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To access the trail from Hokendaqua Park: Take 22 East to 145 North (Macarthur Rd). Turn right on Lehigh Street and left onto Coplay Court. Immediately after going under the overpass, turn right into Hokendaqua Parking Lot.
To access the trail from Saylor Park: Take 22 East to 145 North (Macarthur Rd) but stay on 145 North - pass Lehigh Street, turn right onto Main Street. Turn right onto Coplay Road (bear right to stay on Coplay at the intersection with N. Coplay) to Saylor Park.
To access the spur: Take 22 East to 145 North (Macarthur Rd). Turn left on Mechanicsville Road. Turn right on Mauch Chunck Road and then turn right onto Quarry Street. You'll find the trail head and the parking lot on your left at the intersection of Quarry and Portland Streets.
This trail is wheelchair accessible
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Seasonal Restrictions:
None
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Reviews: [3 trail ratings]
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What a nice day, spending it on the Ironton
By dhoerl on July 06, 2010
My wife and I arrived around noon at the trailhead. There is a huge gas station/convenience store just before, stock up on food and water. We did the loop first, then the "tail", then the loop one more time. It was a real pleasure - easy going, lots to see. and just a nice way to spend a day. For the more adventurous, you can cross the 9th street bridge, then go left to get down to the river below. Just below the park there is a dirt bike track that tracks the river (park does not permit bikes) - we went down say 0.5 miles then turned around (too narrow for wife). Posted a bunch of photos.
Follow-up
By trunorth401 on March 23, 2010
This trail brings back a lot of childhood memories of visiting my mum's family in Hokendauqua and Coplay.
Historical Hikes on the Ironton Rail-Trail
By irt2008 on February 22, 2010
You are invited to attend the IRT Historical Hike on Sat. March 13, 2010, and / or October 9, 2010 at 10 am. The hike is 7 miles. Allow 3 hours to view no less than 23 historical sites and landmarks. The IRT traverses the sites of the first anthracite fired iron co. and the first portland cement co., contributing to the Industrial Revolution. Take Rt145 MacArthur Rd in Whitehall to Chestnut St. Turn West onto Chestnut St across Rt145 from the Scheetz Gas Station. Go 1/4 mile and turn left at the one way sign before the Red Barn to the parking lot. Visit www.irontonrailtrail.org for all 2010 events plus many pictures. Check out the IRT 9th Annual 10K Run / Walk scheduled for May 16, 2010 and the Trolley Tour scheduled for October 16, 2010.
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An unpaved trail segment near Saylor Park in the Borough of Coplay. The historical Cement Towers are in the background.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Quarry Street, North Whitehall to Saylor Park in Coplay
Counties: Lehigh
Trail Length: 9.2 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Wheelchair Accessible, Mountain Biking, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6016982

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