More WILD Places
Are you ready for a change of scenery, along with a fresh breath of mountain air? Then into nature in the Lehigh Valley you go!
Wildlands Conservancy boasts 14 nature preserves, including the beloved South Mountain Preserve in Emmaus, Black River Sanctuary in Bethlehem, and Brenner-Penfield Macungie Mountain Preserve. But sometimes, too much of a good and green thing is never enough.
Are you looking to broaden your horizons? Whether you’re HIKING the hills, sending the descents, TRAIL RUNNING to keep you on your toes, or switching gears to MOUNTAIN BIKING, between all the Lehigh Valley has to offer, there are many, many wild places. And nature is calling you to EXPLORE.
HIKING
If you’re looking for a HIKE with a view and a streamside stroll, check out Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center. This Pennsylvania State Park has a variety of leisurely hiking trails, but for those looking to step it up a notch, put your treads on for Henry’s Woods Trail with parking along Belfast Road. The two opposing sides of the loop are separated by a scenic, 100-foot slope overlooking the Bushkill Creek. Hikers who cross the bridge heading off to the left from the parking lot will traverse uphill to a rewarding view, while starting to the right starts out higher up with a descent to follow.
Not all those who wander are lost, especially those hikers who have the AllTrails mobile app on their phones. Be sure to start real-time GPS navigation and directions at the trailhead. AllTrails is a leading digital platform with curated guides, trail maps, photos, and reviews for over 500,000 trails.
TRAIL RUNNING
The Lehigh Valley’s unique rails-to-trails are former railroad corridors that have been converted into multi-use trails. And here are some of the longest rail trails in the mid-Atlantic. The D&L Trail, which runs along the Delaware & Lehigh Rivers and spans from Wilkes-Barre to the port of Bristol, is 165 miles long. There are many trailheads throughout the nature in the Lehigh Valley, so you can tailor your TRAIL RUNNING trek to be as short or as long as your training requires (or you desire).
Don’t just take it from us! Aimee Kohler, the founder of The Running Kind, a climate-neutral running company and community, ranked her top 7 spots for trail running. Among the top 7 are South Mountain Preserve, where the annual nighttime Blackout Race is held, as well as Mt. Minsi for a mountain excursion sure to keep trail runners on their toes.
Lace up your sneakers with the help of Emmaus Run Inn or Aardvark Sports Shop in Bethlehem.
BIKING & CYCLING
Whether you’re looking to catch your breath on easy, flat terrain like a rail-trail or a bumpy ride on a MOUNTAIN BIKING trail, the Lehigh Valley has the path to a cyclist’s heart. For those looking to ride with others, the Lehigh Valley has a host of mountain biking clubs, including Valley Mountain Bikers, who helped build the Bloodroot Trail at Wildlands Conservancy’s South Mountain Preserve.
Gotta grab gear? Stop by South Mountain Cycle in Emmaus or Action Wheels Bike Shop in Bethlehem.
BIRDING
Nature is pretty TWEET! You never know what species of birds and raptors you’ll see out here, either through your binoculars atop a vast vista or on a gentle stroll. At Jordan Creek Parkway in Allentown, lifer birds are just waiting to be counted.
Did you know? You can make meaningful contributions to science with your bird count. Birding is an accessible form of community science: public participation in scientific research. Population data from apps like iNaturalist, eBird, and Merlin Bird ID are used in scholarly publications for conservation biology. To boot, iNaturalist helps firm up your findings by allowing you to get a second opinion from experts in your community.
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