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Print Friendly MapThe 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.
Nice trail, mostly shaded, which is nice. The south end trail starts at the veteran park which is really nice. There aren’t a lot of benches along the trail, except in veterans park. The north end starts at living memorial park which has shaded parking.
Despite its relative short length, at 3.2 miles, the Upper Bucks Rail Trail forms a crucial link in ongoing efforts to create a long-distance greenway that will eventually connect the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton conurbation to Philadelphia and its suburbs.
The stone aggregate trail begins at E. Landis Street in Coopersburg, immediately across from the southern terminus of the Saucon Rail Trail. It passes a couple of concrete plants and quarries as it gently slopes upward through rock cuts hewn for the RR. Check out the interpretive signage to learn about the region's geological history.
Trail users may be surprised to find a small wetland beneath the Springfield Street overpass at the south end of Coopersburg. The trail passes over this wetland on a wooden boardwalk before reverting to stone aggregate as it crosses into the countryside of northern Bucks County.
The trail passes primarily through forests south of Coopersburg. Despite noise of traffic on nearby Route 309, which it parallels, this segment is scenic and teeming with nature. Even the powerline corridors that disrupt the forest are notable for their meadow-like landscapes, with colorful wildflowers blooming during the spring and summer months. The only residential communities of any size along this segment are the quaint hamlet of Shelly and the Melody Lakes Manufactured Home Park.
The southernmost segment of the trail is in Veteran's Park, north of Quakertown. The stone aggregate surface gives way to asphalt and the trail slopes through a woodland before ending at a circular trail that links to the park's playground, athletic fields, parking lot and veterans' memorial.
Current plans call for the trail to be extended further south, into Quakertown. In the meantime, trail users can take the Walnut Bank Farm Trail, a mix of offroad, asphalt trail and sidewalks along Heller and Walnut Bank Farm roads, into the borough. Further south, the Liberty Bell Trail, which currently exists in disjointed segments in Hatfield and Lansdale, will eventually form the southern segment of the greenway, linking Quakertown to Norristown when completed.
No information on local ordance for Ebike use on this trail.
State law states Ebikes can go anywhere bikes can be used.
We started our ride in Hellertown on the Saucon trail that joins the Upper Bucks trail and also the Walnut Bank Farm trail. It is obvious that this is a newly finished trail and they did a great job! Due to a recent lack of rain the crushed stone trails were quite dusty. If you don't mind a couple of road sections you can ride from the Hunters Crossing and Brayton Gardens trails all of the way to Bethlehem, where you can pick up the D&L Trail to Easton or even as far as Washington's Crossing.
I am a beginner and ride this trail twice this weekend. Well maintained good ride for a beginner and as you grow. Easy access and great access to the Saucon trail. Will definitely be riding again and would recommend to any type of rider.
This Trail is nice and clean and level through a wooded area with Rippling Brooks and lots of wildflowers. Great space for grandparents and active grandkids! Needless to say the grandma was lagging behind a bit.
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