Explore the best rated trails in Carbondale, PA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and Trolley Trail (Lehigh Valley) . With more than 25 trails covering 384 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Rode 10 miles north from Jim Thorpe parking lot today. Very nice ride along the Lehigh River. Parking lot was 2/3rds full so easy to off load bikes and pay the $8 at the kiosk. Trail is well marked and easy to navigate. The only issue is the compacted stone has turned into several inches of loose sand in some areas. Between miles posts 110-112 it was most noticeable. My wife and I have regular 2 inch mountain bike/cruiser tires, so the sand slowed us down but did not stop us. Roadbikers may have more trouble. All in all it is a great section and worth Another vists. And some really nice old trains to He k out.
Truly a magical and wonderful place.
The wide crushed stone trail is nestled on a shelf between the Lehigh River and the vertical gorge wall of red/purple/brown shale and sandstone. The rushing river alternates between white water and calmer sections. North of Rockport, there are a number of remnants of the locks that were built with the local rock during the industrial revolution. The vertical gorge wall is exposed rock in many parts and covered with mountain laurel in others. The wider sections of the valley are forested with hemlock and hardwoods. Throughout the entire trail waterfalls and rushing streams cascade down the gorge wall and into the river. Even during the this rainy spring, the trail was puddle and mud free and in great condition from Glen Onoko to White Haven.
Love this trail in the Bethlehem area. You can access downtown Bethlehem from the trail at Main Street. From there, it's about a 10 minute walk up where you can grab a bite to eat and some refreshments. Only downside last time we were there, saw dozens of people long-term "camping" along the trail east of Bethlehem. Probably not allowed but also does not seem to be disallowed. Just want to make people aware so they are not surprised by this while on the trail.
Trail heads were hard to find, parking areas hard to find or not safe looking.
There were a few good spots.. but most of it is overgrown
I can't believe I'm forced to give this trail two stars. It's not due to the location, the scenery or lack of variety. The trail gets five stars for these features. It's due to the condition of the trail. It's HORRIBLE!! Someone got the bright idea to put very large gravel down on the trail. which turned the trail into one that is only suitable for a mountain bike with suspension. Even then, it's not an easy ride. Yes, there are sections that are flat, but there are also sections that are so steep that you're forced to get off your bike to get up it. Though I'm not any sort of professional biker, I am someone who takes 70 mile road bike day trips on a regular basis. It took me five hours to go 36 miles - 18 miles out and 18 miles back. I had planned to do the entire trail out and back. If I'm having issues with a trail, there's good reason. I took my regular mountain bike (no suspension) and my body was shaken all over the place due to the trail condition. Until the trail condition is resolved, I sadly won't be returning to this trail again. It's a darn shame. On a positive note, I did see a bobcat!
* The trail description of the trail on the national park web page, the official Rails to Trails book for PA and other sources need to be updated to reflect the true condition(s) of the trail.
We had a beautiful Saturday for the ride, and surprised to encounter no other bikes! (Just a couple of walkers and 2 on horseback.) We started in Starrucca (at Little Ireland road), and went toward Lanesboro from there. Not clear where to park at the Starrucca trail entrance, but there's room off the road for a couple of cars.
It's always a good day on the trail when you can start with a historical marker! And there is a nice one there on an old railroad work shed that is still standing. The trail stretching north to Stevens Point is largely unimproved, but certainly ride-able with a decent off-road bike. There are stretches of grassy track that are smooth, some pretty rocky stretches that can be rough, and some muddy spots after a rain. But it's really no problem to keep moving, with a pretty steady, gentle downhill grade. Very pretty tree-lined experience, quite shady, with breaks that reveal the beautiful valley below. The stream down to the right, and occasional small waterfalls on the left, make things very pleasant.
When you get to Stevens Point, you do have to cross Starrucca Creek Road, but not a big deal, and you quickly come into the main trailhead parking area at Rockwell Memorial Park. (Thank you, kind Samaritans, for leaving some water bottles there for bikers!! Really saved us!) From there it's clear sailing all the way to Lanesboro. For this stretch, it's a broad, fine-gravel path that is very easy going, with the slight downhill grade continuing. Fantastic to ride along Starrucca Creek as it rushes to meet the Susquehanna. Outstanding dedicated bike bridges over the creek.
Before you know it, you're under the phenomenal Starrucca Viaduct, standing tall and true since the 1850's!! A testament to engineering!
We continued on to the NY border, just to say we did it! That last stretch occasionally puts you right alongside the Susquehanna, which is broad and calm. Trail surface is largely quick good along this stretch, except as you approach the border ... just gets a little rougher, but not bad.
From Starrucca to the NY border was 11.3 miles. We turned right around and went all the way back. Admittedly, the return was harder as you're going back up the gentle grade, especially the last 5 miles in the unimproved section. But it was an epic and fine journey that took us about 3+ hours of riding and a little over 4 hours elapsed time. (For what it's worth, I'll say that we are 60 and 66 years old ... and we weren't trying to set any speed records.)
If you want a less challenging and much shorter round trip, starting at Stevens Point and going down to Lanesboro and back is just the ticket!
Had a great time well maintained trail Had one spot that had washed some ruts in it but that’s to be expected with some of the rains we have been having Mostly shade good if it’s a hot and sunny day
Portions of the trail were super narrow to navigate and are almost more of a footpath. Signage isn’t the greatest, quite a few homeless camps along this section.
This trail could be one of the top 3 in the state, but with overgreen weeds sticking out, you have to duck not to get hit by branches. There are places where you need to get off the trail and use paved road to cross a route, but those "exits" are steep with thick tree roots and loose gravel on steep declines which makes it very scary, even if you walk the bike. Parts of the trail heads have overgrown vines which if they get caught on your pedal will send you flying. Many parts of the trail are very, very narrow, zero chance of 2 bikers being able to cross will riding, one has to stop and move over into the woods. This trail needs serious TLC.
A beautiful start of the trail beneath the Viaduct. It’s newly blacktop/ crushed stone trail heading south towards Starrucca. After about 3 miles it turns to jungle. It’s also all up hill which makes the ride back nicer.
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