in Luciana Park.
The last few miles of the D&H parallel the mighty North Branch of the Susquehanna River before the trail ends at the New York border. Here the trail is overgrown, but the trail section from Stevens Point to the state line is scheduled for major improvements in 2020.
CONTACT: neparailtrails.org
DIRECTIONS
To reach the southern trailhead in Simpson from US 6, head north onto US 6 Bus. W (Roosevelt Hwy.)—if heading east on US 6, turn left, if heading west on US 6, turn right—and go 0.9 mile. Turn right onto Canaan St., go 0.2 mile, and then turn left onto Morse Ave. Go 0.1 mile, and take a slight left to stay on Morse Ave. for 0.5 mile. Look for a small trailhead parking lot to your right just after you cross the Lackawanna River. Additional parking is available about 400 feet southwest at the intersection of Morse Ave. and Enterprise Dr.
To reach the trailhead in Lanesboro from I-81, take Exit 230 for PA 171 toward Great Bend and Susquehanna. (If heading south on I-81, turn left onto PA 171; if heading north, turn right onto PA 171.) Go 8.1 miles on PA 171 S/PA 92 S, and turn right onto Exchange St. Go 0.2 mile, and turn left onto W. Main St. Go 1.8 miles, take a slight left onto S. Main St., and go 0.1 mile. After crossing Starrucca Creek, take the second right onto Depot St., and then go about 480 feet to pass under the Starrucca Viaduct. Veer left and then immediately right to reach the parking area at Luciana Park.
13 D&L Trail
Counties
Bucks, Carbon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Northampton
Endpoints
Jefferson Ave. between Prospect St. and Canal St. (Bristol) to Lehigh St. at Woodlawn Ave. (Mountain Top)
Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous; please refer to the interactive maps on the websites listed on page 59 to bridge the gaps.
Mileage
143.8
Type
Rail-Trail/Canal Towpath
Roughness Index
2
Surface
Asphalt, Ballast, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
The D&L Trail runs for more than 140 miles through Eastern Pennsylvania, from Philadelphia’s northern metro area to Mountain Top in the Appalachians. It follows historic canal and railroad routes at the core of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, where natural resources and human ingenuity combined to power the nation’s Industrial Revolution.
The trail follows the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers through Bucks, Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon, and Luzerne Counties. After several gaps are closed, it will be the longest rail-trail in the state at more than 160 miles. This national recreation trail is included in five regional trail system projects: the Circuit Trails, which will connect 800 miles of trail in Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey; THE LINK trail network in the Lehigh Valley, working to connect more than 500 miles of trails; the Northeastern Pennsylvania Trails Forum; the September 11th National Memorial Trail; and the East Coast Greenway, which will run from Maine to Florida.
It’s a good idea to visit the official trail website (delawareandlehigh.org) before heading out to check on local conditions. You’ll find valuable information on detours, lodging, dining, shuttles, and other services. While directions to and from on-road sections of the trail are marked in many cases, it’s best to refer to the website’s detailed collection of maps and detour information for each trail gap before making a long-distance trip. A portable GPS device is also recommended.
Delaware Canal State Park Segment: 59.0 miles
The southern section of the D&L Trail from Bristol to Easton passes through the linear Delaware Canal State Park for nearly 60 miles. This is the longest section of trail, with only minor interruptions. The crushed-gravel surface follows the towpath that dates to the early 1800s, when Bristol was chosen as the terminus of the canal that carried huge shipments of anthracite coal to drive regional industries.
Travelers through here will find canal locks, aqueducts, and other historical structures and homes. Between Bristol and Morrisville the trail passes near Levittown, an early example of the modern American suburb. Dining and lodging are available in many towns along this route. The tree-lined waterway supports bald eagles, herons, and ospreys, as well as smaller bird species and other wildlife. Walleye, bass, and shad thrive in the Delaware River.
Technically, the starting point for the trail begins at Bristol Lions Park (100 Basin Park, Bristol, Pennsylvania); however, a gap currently exists between the park and the trailhead at Jefferson Avenue (near Prospect Street), making the Jefferson Avenue trailhead the best place to begin your journey.
One short gap, requiring some general route finding and road crossings, occurs in the first 3 miles. At Lincoln Highway/Bridge Street in Morrisville, about 9 miles along the route, a blockage on the trail requires a detour. Three former gaps—at Tullytown by the Levittown Town Center, at Tyburn Road in Morrisville, and at the CSX rail corridor just farther north of Tyburn Road—were resolved and formally opened in 2019 through efforts by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and partners.
Washington Crossing Historic Park marks the site where George Washington gathered troops before embarking on the famous crossing of the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War.
A side trip across the Calhoun Street Bridge in Morrisville leads to New Jersey and the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail, which runs along the Delaware River for almost 73 miles. Back on the D&L Trail, Washington Crossing Historic Park, a major attraction, lies 8 miles up from Morrisville. It marks the spot where General George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware on Christmas night in 1776 for a successful surprise attack on British forces.
As you arrive in New Hope, cross PA 32/River Road/Main Street, and take a sidewalk for about 300 feet to a short flight of steps back up to the canal path. The trail goes through downtown, which features dining and specialty shops. A popular stop here for exploring local history is the Locktender’s House (which serves as an interpretive center) and Lock 11.
From downtown New Hope, the trail follows the canal 35 miles to Easton, where it turns to
