-
Slatington Trailhead -
Bathrooms and Concession Stand -
Sal's Pizza -
Trail North
We rode north across Main St.(rt 873) and passed Sal's Pizza. - About a mile up the trail you will pass a small airport and a mile beyond that you will reach the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. There is a portable potty along the trail here and a picnic area. If the building is open do stop in and check out the books and information about the area. They also have nice bathrooms. The trail passes behind the Centers main building but there is a path from the trail that leads up to the entrance.
-
Kayakers Playing In The Rapids -
Aprroaching The Nature Center -
Lehigh Gap Nature Center -
Portable Potty Along The Trail -
Nature Center Picnic Area Along The Trail -
Rock Strata at Lehigh Gap
Industrial pollution once killed the vegetation in this area, but, it is coming back to life and a number of animal species are now calling this area home. -
Bird House Along The Trail -
Trail West Of The Nature Center
You can find out more about the area at The Lehigh Gap Nature Center's web site and the restoration of habitat at under A New Five-year Plan: 2012-2016 -
Tree Skeleton -
Exposed Rock -
Trail View
Trail Between The Nature Center and Riverview Parking Lot -
Trail View
Trail Between The Nature Center and Riverview Parking Lot -
Portable Potty
Portable Potty At The South End Of Riverview Parking Lot Accessible From Trail -
Picnic Area Riverview Parking Lot -
Riverview Parking
The parking lot off of Riverview road is large with a covered picnic area at the northern end and portable pottys accessible from the trail at the southern end. -
Trail Distances -
At the Riverview parking access you are 3.4 miles from the Lehigh Gap and Nature Center and 3.9 miles from Weissport. At this point the trail continues on the paved road which is wide enough to accomodate both cars and bicycles comfortably and continues to Route 895
In the past the intersection of Riverview Rd and Rt 895 was the end of the ride for us, but last year we found out that the trail continued north, to Lehighton. To access the trail you need to turn left onto Rt 895 and peddle a short distance uphill on the busier road. Turn right at the first opportunity. In the photo to the right, the right turn off of Rt 895 is where the cyclist is in the picture.
-
Intersection With Rt. 895 -
Turn Right Off Of Rt 895 -
Proceed Downhill
After turning right off of Rt 895, proceed downhill. At the bottom of the hill turn left up a short hill and you will find yourself once again on a packed gravel path. -
Looking Back Uphill
This photo is taken from the cul de sac at the bottom of the hill. The road on the right of this picture is the continuation of the trail. -
Turnpike Sign
The trail runs alongside the Northest Extension of the Pennsylvania turnpike for a short distance. In this photo you can see the exit sign for Jim Thorpe. -
Under the Turnpike
Here the trail runs under the turnpike and this part of the trail was completed in 2012. The packed gravel surface of the trail turns to macadam when you reach Lehighton. -
Castle Grill Turn Off
After riding under the second bridge there is an alleyway to your left that borders the Castle Grill's parking lot. The restaurant is the red roofed building and the alley can be seen in the right side of this photo. -
Looking Back Down The Alleyway -
Wood Carvings & Menu Specials -
Hamburger and Fries -
The Castle Grill Menu - The Castle Grill is cyclist friendly and the server at the counter told us that if you are passing by and do not want to purchase anything, but need a water refill, stop in. While we were there a number of cycling groups stopped in to eat. The food was good and we will definitely be stopping in again. We just got burgers and fries which were delicious, but next time I plan on trying one of the Polish items.
Bridge To Weissport
On this day this was the turn around point for us, but, if you wish to add a few more miles to your ride, cross the bridge to Weissport and turn left. The trail runs between the canal and the river for another four miles until it ends at Jim Thorpe. There are plans to someday build a bike and pedestrian bridge to join the section of trail that runs between Jim Thorpe and White Haven.
