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Print Friendly MapThe pleasant Monocacy Way takes walkers and cyclists on an adventure through the fascinating history of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The trail kicks off at Monocacy Creek Park, where you can see the a 19th century grist mill once run by the waters of Monocacy Creek. Today the creek is a popular fishing spot, prized for trout especially. The trail traces the park’s eastern perimeter as it follows the waterway. The Burnside Plantation is a bit past the halfway point. The colonial-era farm is well preserved, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. Here stop for a moment to experience “living history”, from the verdant gardens, to the interactive tours and workshops.
The last leg of the trail takes one across picturesque shaded bridges down to downtown Bethlehem. The Colonial Industrial Quarter is round the corner from the trail’s end on W. Union Boulevard. Here as well, history comes alive with demonstrations of the various trades once carried out here by the founders of Bethlehem, members of the Moravian Church.
The trail is canopied for the most part. Be aware that there are a number of road crossings at grade
The pleasant Monocacy Way takes walkers and cyclists on an adventure through the fascinating history of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The trail kicks off at Monocacy Creek Park, where you can see the a 19th century grist mill once run by the waters of Monocacy Creek. Today the creek is a popular fishing spot, prized for trout especially. The trail traces the park’s eastern perimeter as it follows the waterway. The Burnside Plantation is a bit past the halfway point. The colonial-era farm is well preserved, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. Here stop for a moment to experience “living history”, from the verdant gardens, to the interactive tours and workshops.
The last leg of the trail takes one across picturesque shaded bridges down to downtown Bethlehem. The Colonial Industrial Quarter is round the corner from the trail’s end on W. Union Boulevard. Here as well, history comes alive with demonstrations of the various trades once carried out here by the founders of Bethlehem, members of the Moravian Church.
The trail is canopied for the most part. Be aware that there are a number of road crossings at grade. Pets are permitted, just clean up after them.
There is parking available at the Monocacy Creek Park (Illick's Mill Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18017).
Just short of 3 miles in length (counting the southern segment not included on RTC's map extending from Union St. south to the intersection of Main and Spring streets), the Monocacy Way is one of the Lehigh Valley's shorter greenways. However, it more than makes up for this short length by connecting several major historical sights, spanning from the 18th century to the 1930's.
Notable sights along the pathway include the Bethlehem Waterworks, Moravian Tannery and the buildings comprising the Colonial Industrial Quarter. Located just north of the trail's southern terminus, these preserved buildings all date from Bethlehem's earliest days as a Moravian settlement and show what life was like in the Colonial era. Interpretive signage provides a detailed history of the town's early industries as well as the beginnings of its public waterworks.
Heading north of Union Street, trail users learn about the agricultural side of life in early Bethlehem at the Burnside Plantation. Comprised of the original farmhouse, several barns and a garden, the plantation was leased by the Moravians to numerous farmers well into the 19th century. Now owned by Lehigh County, it's a great example of an early American farm and is also used for a variety of events, volunteer projects, historic tours and venue rentals.
After crossing Schoenersville Road, the trail heads further north, passing between an active RR line to the left and a sheer rock wall to the right. This cliff is a remnant of the John T. Dyer Quarry, which was abandoned in the 1920's. The crumbling, concrete tarmac located nearby was once the base of the crusher building.
The trail splits into three separate branches immediately north of the quarry. The smooth, asphalt bikeway veers west, heading up Monocacy Hill and linking with Illick's Mill Road at the Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink, while a crushed stone trail crosses the RR tracks and follows the foot of the hill to the trailhead at Illick's Mill. The third route consists of a dirt footpath that follows the west bank of Monocacy Creek through the woods, also coming out at the trailhead.
Sitting across Illick's Mill Road from this trailhead is the 19th century stone grist mill for which the road is named for. Situated immediately off the trail, the mill has been restored and currently houses the Appalachian Mountain Club's Mid-Atlantic Conservation Office.
Also bearing the name of the mill is an adjacent park built in the 1930's by the Depression-era Works Progress Administration. Stone benches in this park still bear the stamp of the WPA, a New Deal program, and the original pavilions and even a couple brick fireplaces remain in use nearly a century later.
However, the most notable features of Illick's Mill Park are the dam at its north end and the ornate suspension bridge that serves as the trail's northern terminus. Originally built so a section of the Monocacy Creek immediately upstream could be used as a natural swimming pool, the dam is now noted for the Asian-style pavilions located on either side and is a popular place to observe waterfowl. The bridge, meanwhile, is noted for both its stone piers and the locks placed on the railings by couples pledging their love to one another.
The trail is also noteworthy for its beauty and serenity, especially north of Union Blvd, though even the urban southern segment offers cool shade and steers clear of major roads and other noisy areas. Nature lovers will appreciate the segments in Illick's Mill and Monocacy parks as well as the boardwalk that passes over the banks of the creek south of Burnside Plantation.
Although I disagree with other reviewers who claim the trail is "outdated" and is inferior to other greenways, it could use some improvements. The trail is little more than a mud and grass track in the vicinity of Burnside Park, while the asphalt surface in Illick's Mill Park has badly deteriorated. The section from Union Blvd. south to the Broad Street Bridge is also little more than a gravel and dirt sidepath and it's actually easier for cyclists to use adjacent Old York Road, a lightly traveled side street. Finally, the lower trail and footpath through Monocacy Park are both poorly marked and cross the RR tracks at steep grades that are also unmarked. Trail users should stop, look and listen at these crossings since the line is still in use.
Nonetheless, these shortcomings are greatly overshadowed by the beauty and history of this splendid trail.
The section that is north of Elizabeth Ave is really nice. It’s well paved and shaded by trees. The path south of Elizabeth Ave is poor. The path has so many different substrates in little area that make no sense and can be hazardous for footing. There is also no pedestrian crossing markings across Elizabeth Ave which is a very busy road. The path is from 2000 and really needs some design changes. The D&L trail is only a few miles away. Take that. Its much nicer.
A previous review mentioned a homeless camp but I didn’t see any. You can walk along the creek on a dirt trail from Illick’s mill parking lot and eventually you have to cross the train tracks to pick up the paved trail. On return trip, if you miss the cross-over, just follow paved path to the end and take sidewalk back to car. It’s mostly shaded, passes thru burnside plantation. I’ll enjoy this in the hot summer because of the shade.
Checked out this trail for the first time recently. We enjoyed the sights and sounds of the trail and the creek was beautiful. We had a limited amount of time before dark, so we only went a little over a mile before turning back. We were surprised to see a sizable, established homeless encampment along the trail. Some unhoused folks can be considered high-risk in regards to safety, but we did not have any issues. We were in a group, so it wasn’t greatly intimidating, however I felt less safe on this trail due to the presence of the encampment.
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