Explore the best rated trails in Stanhope, NJ, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Timp-Torne Trail and Heritage Trail (NY) . With more than 134 trails covering 1020 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Constructed along the route of an old rail line that once served several slate quarries, the 3.3-mile Slate Heritage Trail celebrates one of the resources that once played a prominent role in the economy of the Lehigh Valley.
Much like the nearby Ironton Trail is an outdoor, linear museum devoted to the iron and cement industries, the Slate Heritage Trail treats users to ruins of the local quarries, most notably the NY Tunnel Quarry, so named because the tunnels mined into cliffside reminded the owner of the NY subway system. Slate heaps left from other quarrying operations can be seen off the trail further west and the towns that the trail connects, Slatington, Emerald and Slatedale, all attest to the role that the grey rock played in the development of the region.
The trail's route through a wooded greenbelt provides serenity and welcome shade in the warmer months of the year and people can often be seen fishing in the aptly named Trout Creek. The trail has a smooth, asphalt surface through Slatington, the largest and easternmost town, but turns to crushed stone at the quarry east of Emerald. Although the western segment of the trail has been repaired since the floods a couple years back, the surface is pretty loose, so cyclists should be careful. The section from Emerald to Slate Dale is also notable for the lush forests it passes through, giving the feeling of being in rural NE PA to the north rather than the suburban Lehigh Valley.
Other highlights mentioned in earlier reviews include the slate benches, several of which double as memorials devoted to the deceased, the covered bridge situated halfway between Slatington and Emerald and the remains of a demolished RR bridge in the latter town.
Although the trail itself is only a little over 3 miles in length, it links to the much longer D&L Trail on its eastern end and could possibly be extended west toward Jacksonville and Kempton in the future.
The trail is ~ 20 miles in each direction. A good mix of paved, gravel, dirt — with minor sections that are “single track”’ish.
Perfect for my elderly dog since we have not been on long walks for the past year. Beautiful scenery of the river, geese flying close to the water, a place to let your loved dog get close to and into the water, and places to sit and just enjoy nature!! Great for MAHA 15 minute walks!
While all are grateful that bike and pedestrian access were built into the new TZ Bridge, the rough bumpy surface is completely awful. Neither easy on the feet nor pleasant for bikes. I don’t know if it was like this a few years ago or was planned this way, but it’s disappointing.
Beautiful ride through woodlands and farmland. The crushed stone can be a little tricky in spots where it is slightly piled up and a couple of gravelly spots. There are a few small hills and a short ride alongside busy Forked River Road. I would like to go again during peak foliage.
The trail was really nice if you went towards Wurtsboro, butttt we originally made the mistake of going the other way and wound up at the Texas Chain Saw House. I thought we were going to be killed by a rapid dog. The trail was very confusing, maybe we weren't going the right way??? It did look like the trail indicated to go straight, but there was a car parked in the middle of the trail and crazy dogs not fenced and only on a rope. I thought it would get loose and tear myself and my dog apart. There's got to be better markings. Or someone needs to figure out a way to make this homeowner happy, because clearly he is disgruntled.
What a wonderful ride , we did a total of 30 miles from Middletown to Chester and back ! Awesome trail wonderful maintenance of the trail!! Would recommend to anyone that wants to ride Loved the many Jonny on the spots and benches along the trail! As well as eating and drinks along the way to buy ! Even a bike repair station on the trail!!!! ¿¿¿¿ Kevin & Pat Bennett
I started in bristol and made it to point pleasant so far. I've seen stuff I have never seen. I love riding this trail.
One of my favorite trails in the area. Lots of parking at the High Bridge trail head
Sunny and warm July Sunday. Started from the handy parking spaces across from the Wurtsboro firehouse (corner of Pine St. and Canal St.) The informational signs in the little park back toward Sullivan St. are worth checking out before heading north on the trail.
The trail is really nice in that beginning stretch: some gravel, mown grass, hard dirt. Easy on a hybrid or mountain bike ... probably too rough for a road bike. Riding along the long-forgotten, but still totally visible, D&H canal is very pleasant. Some lengths of the canal itself are totally dry and filled with mature trees; other lengths have water. (We didn't stop to read them, but there is fun signage along the way that tells a narrative story about the area.) Mixture of shady tree coverage and open skies. Very, very nice!
BUT THEN! Big surprise. As the towpath crosses McDonald Rd and continues north, which is maybe only 1 mile from the start, the bike path is fully flooded by water and completely unpassable. This is due to a total blockage of water in the canal by a massive beaver dam. (This is right where a home, yard, and outbuildings are visible on the satellite view. And, yes, there are some scary dogs on long ropes ... that come lunging.) The beaver dam is interesting to see, but there is no way to continue on the towpath at that point.
It turns out that the Mamakating O&W rail trail also has an entrance right on McDonald Rd. We chose to ride that back to Wurtsboro. There is a supposed continuation of Mamakating that heads northeast (the satellite view shows it), and it might be possible to jump back onto the D&H trail on the other side of the beaver dam blockage. But the official listing for Mamakating shows that this length is not developed ... so we decided not to chance it.
The Mamakating trail back to Wurtsboro is a straight shot ... no problems. That unintended shorter loop was maybe 3 miles total. But worth it!!
The trail is in great condition. Coming from the D&L is a little tricky to find. It runs along Trout creek and starts out paved. It's beautiful scenery and wildlife tucked. Well maintained. Signs along the route. Ends in Slate Park
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
