Nor-Bath Trail:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
For 77 years, the tiny Northampton & Bath Railroad traveled the 7 miles between the two Pennsylvania towns that gave the line its name. Then, like its larger cousins, the Northampton & Bath Railroad fell victim to the changing face of transportation and the rise of the trucking industry. After it fell into disuse in 1979, the corridor was purchased by Northampton County, thus allowing the "little train that could" to continue to serve its namesake towns by connecting their parks, schools and historic centers. Today you'll find a pretty, tree-lined, crushed stone trail that is perfect for a walk or ride.

Starting in a residential area of Northampton, the trail soon emerges into rural terrain that features open fields, bubbling streams and pretty little bridges. At mile 2.5 you reach the perimeter of Bicentennial Park. Here you'll find 64 acres of county parks with restrooms, pavilions, playgrounds, tennis courts and a wide variety of ball fields. You can enter the park via a short access trail between miles 2.5 and 3.

Along the way several street crossings, well-designed for safety, require you to maneuver through a fenced turnstile and dismount from your bike. Wildlife is abundant along the way: from chipmunks dodging in and out of your path to the occasional rabbits that also claim the trail as home.

The trail winds down with beautiful views of farmland before crossing Jacksonville Road. Currently, the trail goes only a short distance farther to end at State Route 987 near a cement factory. Eventually the trail will extend another mile into Bath. Note: Pets are prohibited on this trail.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Northampton trailhead, take State Route 987 North out of Allentown to 329 West. Turn left on Howarton Road (you'll see Howarton ballpark at the intersection). Bear right onto Atlas Street then left on Savage Road. You'll find a small parking lot on the left at the signed trailhead.

The trail is also accessible from Bicentennial Park in Northampton, which has ample parking.

The trailhead outside of Bath ends on State Route 987 near the intersection with Jacksonville Road. There is no parking.

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Reviews: [2 trail ratings]
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nice
By vntlabar in November, 2011
We have travels this trail many times. The surface is somewhat spongy which makes harder than you would think for the distance traveled. What we like the most about it is most of the time there are raised sides to the trail and there are lots of bycyclist. It makes it seem like a road for bikes more so than some of the other trails we have ridden on. There are some nice places along the way. The end near Copley is a hill down.
Not bad - wouldn't go out of the way to ride this trail
By dkuche in October, 2010
The trail is decent. I'm an intermediate rider and tried it with my mountain bike today because it was probably the last nice day of the year. The trail was recommended by a friend. The medium is crushed stone that has been weathered a bit - there are a couple spots of bare soil, prone to mud and tire tracks. The interruptions as previously mentioned, are a big nuisance. There are 3 total crossings that they instruct you to de-bike and walk across. The last one isn't bad, but the first two of the roads are fairly busy 45mph, 2-lane roads, Weaversville Rd. and 987 (Airport Rd.) You can wait up to a couple minutes before it's safe to cross. In my opinion it would be better to just stay on bike - stop and cross that way as that is faster than walking (unless you run across). The trail is about 4.5mi from 10th St (Savage Rd) in Northamton to a 'dead end' in bath. It just abruptly ends with a wooden fence and the Keystone Cement Plant in the background. There is one 1/4 mile segment that is very uneven and bumpy that with the shade, you cannot prepare or see the bumps coming. I think it's between Weaversville Rd and the park.

A good point is that there is that 'Bicentennial Park' about 1/3 of the way, that you can turn in right off the trail and ride around on paved path for another mile or so. It is a nice very well maintained park that has tennis courts, ball fields and pavilions for picnics. There were a few people flying RC planes while I was there, so it's a good park with a lot of land, if your into that. I'd recommend starting in Northampton due to the ample parking and better access there. There are mile markers and a few benches along the way.

I usually ride the Ironton Rail trail, sometimes the DL Canal trail North and South, but decided to try this trail. I really didn't notice any grades, to me it seemed fairly flat. It is a good trail for just walkers or people out for a casual ride. There are trees around and the trail space is wide and clear, the actual stone path is about the width of a large car for the most part. I live about 5 miles away, but I wouldn't recommend travelling far just to ride this trail. Fairly short for me - probably could have went twice back and forth. I think that's about it. Good luck.
Decent trail
By wcook in March, 2009
Be aware this trail is more difficult if your coming from Northhampton. If you like to get the work done first as I do, come up into Bath because all the grade is in that direction. So when you turn around, the trip back is a breeze. not a whole lot of scenery, but it is nice. There is a nice park along the way (Bicentenial) so if you have kids, you can stop and let them play, while you rest up. Most of the trail is recessed, so the views are limited. Some farm country and a few bridges, but that's about it.
End of the line
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Clear Springs Dr. (Northampton) to Nor-Bath Blvd. nr. the quarry (Bath)
Counties: Northampton
Trail Length: 5.1 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Crushed Stone
Trail Activities: Inline Skating, Wheelchair Accessible, Mountain Biking, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6016900

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