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The trail runs about 5 miles so you can get 10mi roundtrip easily. There are a decent amount of hills and descents. I was impressed with the maintenance of the entire trail.
I parked at the Luken’s Park & Powerline Trail trailhead lot which is the park’s smaller lot on Dresher Rd. The lot was gravel. Trail was paved although not completely smooth but not loose gravel either. There was a pump station entering the trail from the lot. There were frequent benches along the path. The trail had a good amount of walkers, joggers, and bikers (mid week) but no problems with having enough room. It runs along mostly private properties/nice homes and some fields. It was scenic. There were multiple quiet intersections that were well maintained, marked, and most with blinking lights to cross. Pretty much every car stopped for me to cross. I had zero issues at all of the intersections.
Part of the growing network of multi-use greenways connecting the various communities of the Lehigh Valley, the Tatamy Trail preserves parts of the region's industrial and agricultural past while offering valuable recreation and transportation opportunities.
The 6.6 mile asphalt north-south pathway links the communities of Tatamy, for which it is named, Wilson and West Easton, passing primarily through suburban and semi-rural environments. It also passes several area parks and links to the Penn's Grant/Penn Ridge Pathway, Palmer Twp. Rec, Trail and West Easton Bikeway. Together, these greenways form the Two Rivers Trail, a system that connects several municipalities in the eastern Lehigh Valley.
The northernmost and longest section extends from Main St. in Tatamy south to Edgewood Ave. on the north side of Easton. It follows the route of the former Easton & Northern RR through a mix of quiet, residential neighborhoods, wooded open space and local parks, never straying far from the gently flowing Bushkill Creek.
Since it follows the route of the former Easton & Northern RR, this section has almost no grades and is very user friendly. However, caution is advised when crossing four old repurposed RR bridges due to their narrow width and slick surface when wet.
Observant trail users will also note the three old stone mills along the route, the skeletal remains of an old trolley bridge and several rock walls that were blasted when the RR was built. The dam near Penn Pump Park and former Crayola plant off Edgewood Ave., which is now being redeveloped into the Water's Edge apartment complex, are other vestiges of the corridor's industrial heritage, while the sound of carnival music and rides emanate in the spring and summer from Bushkill Park, a small amusement park situated just west of the trail's crossing at Bushkill Park Drive.
The trail takes a hard turn right, veering away from the RR grade and Bushkill Creek at the parking lot/trailhead off Edgewood Ave. Although shorter than the northern section, the middle segment between Edgewood Ave. and Northampton St. ascends and descends steep slopes as it winds through Hackett and Meuser parks in the suburb of Wilson. Although this section provides some impressive vistas from the top of the ridges, trail users need to watch out for frisbees at the disc golf course on the north side of Hackett Park and use caution crossing Hackett Ave., Wood Ave. and Northampton St.
Two agriculture-themed sculptures located next to the community gardens just north of Wood Ave. are also noteworthy. Like the nearby Karl Stirner Arts Trail, which is basically a linear art museum, these pieces are contributions from the Easton art community.
The trail rejoins the old RR grade near Northampton St., following it south past Easton Area High School to the trail's southern terminus at S. 25th St. in West Easton. Although relatively flat, the southern segment of the trail lacks the shade of the northern section due to the fact that a powerline also utilizes the corridor. S. 25th St., which the trail crosses twice, William Penn Hwy. and Freemansburg Ave. are also among the busiest and most dangerous road crossings on the trail's route.
Highlights of the southern segment of the trail include the hulking old Dixie Cup factory, now getting new life as a mixed use apartment house and office complex, as well as two features on the grounds of Easton Area High School. These include a memorial dedicated to alumni of the school who served in the Vietnam War as well as "Freedom Road," an interpretive walking path lined with several trees representing various past US presidents.
Although the Tatamy Trail officially ends about a mile south of the school at the second S. 25th St. crossing, the aforementioned West Easton Bikeway continues another half mile east into West Easton and will eventually connect to the D&L Trail and Easton riverfront via the planned Easton High Line. In the meantime, greenway users can access the D&L Trail via the Palmer Twp. Recreation Trail, which branches off the Tatamy Trail about a half mile north of the southern terminus.
The trail also connects to the Forks Twp. greenway network via the Penn's Grant Pathway, which it crosses near its midway point, and plans are underway for a northern extension to the Stockertown Rail Trail and Plainfield Rec. Trail, forming a continuous greenway from Easton to the Kittantinny Ridge.
Amenities for the trail include numerous benches along the route, as well as parking at the trailheads in Tatamy and off Edgewood Ave. Parking is also available at Mill Race, Penn Pump, Bushkill, Hackett and Meuser parks, which also include picnic pavilions and public restrooms.
When I first walked this trail I had no clue of it’s true size, starting from a bridge opening over the canal near New Brunswick I was simply on a walk and wanted to wander, to my surprise the trail simply kept going and going though, I was walking for miles seeing plenty of wondrous nature, enjoying the sound of the water flowing by me, ducks and turtles and all manner of fauna around me. I felt like I had walked into another world sitting just at the edge of the highly populated busy cities, but they remained on the other side of the river, while I was out in nature. Quickly I knew I was up against a titan of a trail compared to the 10 mile long paths I had gotten good at overcoming, but only after I had moved off the path and gone home did I truly realize how little I had seen. I felt a sense of giddy wonder and accomplishment, as well as curiosity. I had seen so much that day, but in truth, I was only scratching the surface. If you live near an entrance to this trail I implore you to give it a try, it’s not ideal for biking, but to see how far you can walk? It may be the best option in the state.
Mostly paved and tree covered. Will try bikes next. Is there a way to track miles covered?
Reviewing for biking. No as long as it says…and you need to cross the streets a few times. Also lacking good signage.
It’s perfect for people who love nature—lots of forest and good trails. I really liked it.
I’ve gone a few times to ride my bike however I’ve almost got taken out by people on racing bikes and think they are in a triathlon..not cool
This is just a walking trail. Tried to bike here and was scolded by several people.
Started the ride at the Sharon Station parking lot. Headed south towards Cream Ridge. Loose gravel and sandy areas may challenge some riders. Road tires might be an issue. Shaded, mostly flat trail. May see some deer.
Was our first trail on our new e-bikes. We did the entire route from Barnegat to Tom’s River and back. We stopped at Caffreys Backyard Tavern which was trail side in Forked River. Really cool outdoor place for cocktails and lunch. Was a total of 31 miles. Great day.
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