Plainfield Township Trail:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
From 1880 until well into the 20th century, Bangor and Portland Railway steam locomotives plied this corridor and others in the region, providing essential transportation services for the nearby quarries. Conrail bought the Plainfield Township Trail line in 1976, only to close it five years later. The township then bought the corridor and built the rail-trail.

A fine recreation destination for a variety of visitors, from walkers to mountain bikers, cross-country skiers and wheelchair users, the trail is well maintained and signed. Most of the pathway is surfaced with an unusual crushed red stone. Large trees line the trail on both sides, framing pretty views of Bushkill Creek as it meanders in and out of view.

The trail crosses the creek five times on charming wooden bridges. One on the southern end offers a particularly dramatic view of the creek far below. You can enter the trail at midpoint, or stop there for a rest; there is a parking area, picnic facilities and a trailhead.

This trail is actively used by equestrians. Even if you don't see a horse on the trail, you will pass pretty farms and see horses grazing in the fields. Be alert, as the trail crosses several roads.

On the northern end the trail crosses State Route 641. After this crossing, the trail surface changes to heavy ballast and is more difficult for cyclists. One mile farther up, the trail branches. Go right onto a narrow dirt pathway to Pen Argyl Road, or left up a steep grade that will level off quickly and wind around a working quarry. The quarry is fenced off for security, but you get a nice view all the same.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the southern trailhead in Stockertown, take the Stockertown exit off of Route 33 and turn right at the first stop sign. At the next light, turn left onto Sullivan Trail Road. Continue about 0.75 mile and pass a power station on the right. Park in the lot past the power station.

To reach the midpoint trailhead, travel south out of Wind Gap on 115 (South Broadway). Turn left on East 3rd Street. Make a right onto Church Road then left on 633 Knitters Hill Road. The parking lot will be on your left.

There is no parking at the northern trailhead. This trail is wheelchair-accessible with the exception of the section north of State Route 641.

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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Pretty but short
By dhoerl in June, 2011
I usually prefer long bike rides, but my trip last month was well worth it (I was in the area so took a ride). I parked at the south end and proceeded to the quarry. The trail is in excellent condition until you get to the unmarked road at about mile 5.75. From there its about 0.75 miles to the quarry - you can see the trail narrow and proceed to the right - but I didn't follow it as I was running out of time.

There had been a heavy rain a few days before, and the creeks were all babbling and very pretty!
Plainfield Township Trail
By youker in August, 2010
This is an excelent trail and the reviews are useful. The surface is paved, some new and some old. The description of the start of the north end on Buss Road off Rt 512 in Pen Argyl is incomplete. There is parking available on Buss Rd at a spot labeled Recreation Trail. The trail is down in the valley so there is a quarter mile connection or link trail down to the rail trail from the parking lot. At the parking lot past the barrier posts take the crushed stone covered path to the right around the old quarry and waste mgt site down to the rail trail. Youker 8/27/2010
They Paved Paradise...
By sinkapore in December, 2008
This was my absolute favorite trail in my years that I lived in the Lehigh Valley. I ran hundreds of miles here. It was a great alternative to running on harder surfaces. I moved away a couple of years ago but get back on occasion. Anytime I've been in the area, I always made a point to run on this trail. I went back about a year and a half ago and found my worst fear- they paved the 2 mile (approximate) grass section of the trail. For those who liked the softer surface for running, this ruined the trail. If you like an easy bike, it's fine. Blacktopping the trail turned it into a scenic road with no cars. If I wanted to run on blacktop, there is plenty of road. Shame on Plainfield Twp- you destroyed what made this trail great!
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