The Upper Bucks Rail Trail opened in November of 2020, the culmination of more than a decade of work to turn the vision into a reality. The trail occupies the former Bethlehem branch of the SEPTA-owned line. Surfaced with a crushed stone aggregate, the trail also features an 800-foot boardwalk and is accessible for users on foot or on wheels (non-motorized, of course). The trail currently stretches from Veterans Park in Richland Township, Bucks County, and follows the old railroad right-of-way north to Coopersburg in neighboring Lehigh County, where it links up with the Saucon Rail Trail. A southern extension of two miles into Quakertown is planned, where it will connect to the developing Liberty Bell Trail.
The Upper Bucks Rail Trail is a part of the Circuit Trails network, a growing trail system across Greater Philadelphia with a goal of 800 miles of connected trails. It is also a part of the Highland Trail, which will stretch across 13 counties in Pennsylvania's Highland country.
There are two trailheads within Richland Township. One is Veteran's Park, at the current south endpoint of the trail (145 E Pumping Station Rd, Quakertown, PA). The other is the trailhead located on 64 Shelly Road across from the Fire and Rescue station.
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