Health and Heritage Walks 2024
Get Your Tail on the Trail is offering a free trail walking program this year. Vary up your exercise routine and meet new people, learn new things, and experience different areas of the D&L Trail.
Although these walks are free, we do ask that you sign up for them. Walking with a group is fun, energizing, and social; walking in a horde is not. We are limiting our walks to 35 people.
Cancellation policy: We will cancel if the heat index is above 92°, if it is expected to rain during the walk, or if there were heavy rains leading up to the walk that make the trail difficult to navigate.
Rescheduling: Not all walks have rain dates. Please check the description to see if there is a rain date. If it is cancelled it will be on the website.
For all updates, make sure to follow our Facebook page here.
CANCELLED: D&L History Hike: Jim Thorpe South :Update Now Headed North
Click Here to Sign Up for this Walk
Due to the Half Marathon through Jim Thorpe we will not be using the trail Saturday, April 27 at 10 AM . This walk is not rescheduled
Leader: Vince Hydro
Updated: Due to trail closures we can no longer head south on the trail. Vince will be updating what he talks about and points out along the way, but the walk will now head North, away from the closure. The walk will still leave from the same place at the same time and will still travel roughly 4 miles. However, the topics listed below will likely change as Vince adapts his walk to the new terrain.
This itinerary is changing due to the shift in walk – Join us for a 4-mile trek along the D&L Trail starting in Jim Thorpe and heading south. View locks 1-4 and the weigh lock at lock No. 2. Walk the same path that Louis Tiffany, a famous American artist and designer, photographed in the 1880s. Other ruins will be highlighted, including an old hydroelectric plant and the home where Robert Heysham Sayer once lived.
Terrain: flat and easy
165 Kick Off
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Sunday, May 5 at 1 PM (No Rain Date), D&L Sand Island Trailhead
Leader: GYTOT Team
Join us for our annual 165 Challenge Kick Off. Take part in a walk, run, or bike after a quick group warm up and welcome. Start your next challenge off on the right foot!
Terrain: flat and easy
Bike Into Geological History
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Sunday, May 29 at 10 AM (No Rain Date), Saucon Rail Trail
Leader: Jeff Mucklin
Bike, don’t walk, through geological history! Walkers will fall behind, so grab that bike and ride along. Join us on a 4-mile bike ride along the Saucon Rail Trail. From ancient oceans to primeval swamps to iron furnaces and cement factories we will trace our geologic past over hundreds of millions of years and learn how it impacts our present.
Terrain: flat and easy
HMP History Hike: Waterways Walk
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Sunday, June 2 at 1 PM (No Rain Date), Hugh Moore Park, Easton
Leader: Jeff Mucklin
Discover Hugh Moore Park’s fascinating past along the Lehigh River and Canal, highlighting how it helped spur America’s Industrial Revolution. Participants will learn about the park’s flora and fauna, the locktender’s house, and Island Park. While here, add a visit to the museum and a ride on our mule drawn canal boat to complete your visit.
Terrain: flat and easy
4 Miles for Health
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Saturday, June 22 at 9 AM (Rain or Shine), D&L Slatington Trailhead
Leader: Brit Kondravy
Are you looking for opportunities for group exercise without the added layer of education? The Miles for Health walks were created with you in mind. Join a group of like-minded individuals who want to get out on the trail, meet some new people, and get moving. This nearly 4-mile trek will be an out-and-back hike from Slatington to Lehigh Gap.
Terrain: flat and easy
D&L Trail Talk & Trek Full Day Hike
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Saturday, June 29 at 9 AM (No Rain Date), D&L Mountain Top Trailhead
Leader: Liz Rosencrans
Are you ready for a challenge? Have you been wanting to get a little off the beaten path? Join us! Walk 9.4 miles of open and unimproved D&L Trail with DLNHC’s Director of Trails & Conservation. This out-and-back hike will traverse a section of historic railbed that is set to undergo construction in the near future to develop an improved trail section. This is an all-day hike set at the pace of the slowest group member – please only consider this hike if you are comfortable walking 10 miles with a slight grade. Bring sturdy footwear, layered clothing, rain gear, lunch and snacks, and 1.5L of water. We will break for lunch along the trail and take minor breaks as needed. There is no seating along the trail, if you are uncomfortable sitting on the ground during breaks, bring a chair that you can easily carry for 10 miles.
Terrain: uphill, rocky, rural, long = challenging hike
HMP History Hike: Industry & Iron Walk
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Sunday, July 7 at 1 PM (No Rain Date), Hugh Moore Park, Easton
Leader: Jeff Mucklin
Discover Hugh Moore Park’s fascinating past while exploring its industrial ruins. Participants will learn about the Lucy Furnace and Glendon Iron Works, the Abbott Street industrial complex, and telegraph communications. While here, add a visit to the museum and a ride on our mule drawn canal boat to complete your visit.
Terrain: flat and easy
5 Miles for Health
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Saturday, July 20 at 9 AM (Rain or Shine), Ironton Rail Trail
Leader: Brit Kondravy
Are you looking for opportunities for group exercise without the added layer of education? The Miles for Health walks were created with you in mind. Join a group of like-minded individuals who want to get out on the trail, meet some new people, and get moving. The former Ironton Railroad, which serviced many Iron and Cement companies, has been transformed into a multi-use, historic, year – round recreational resource for local residents and visitors. Join us for a guided walk past historic sites on this paved 5.3-mile loop.
Terrain: flat and easy
D&L Trail Talk and Bike: Forks of the Delaware to Wy-Hit-Tuk
Click Here to Sign Up for this Bike Ride
Saturday, July 27 at 9 AM (Rain or Shine), D&L Forks of Delaware Trailhead
Leader: Liz Rosencrans
Bike a section of newly repaired D&L Trail in the Delaware Canal Region with the DLNHC’s Director of Trails & Conservation. Learn about the devastation major storms, like Tropical Storm Ida in 2021, can have on the trail and historic structures like the Delaware Canal. Wear appropriate footwear and bring water. 6.7 miles round trip.
Terrain: flat, but may be a little rough
HMP History Walk: Waterways Walk
Click Here to Sign Up for this Walk
Sunday, August 4 at 1 PM (No Rain Date), Hugh Moore Park, Easton
Leader: Jeff Mucklin
Discover Hugh Moore Park’s fascinating past along the Lehigh River and Canal, highlighting how it helped spur America’s Industrial Revolution. Participants will learn about the park’s flora and fauna, the locktender’s house, and Island Park. While here, add a visit to the museum and a ride on our mule drawn canal boat to complete your visit.
Terrain: flat and easy
The History of Bushkill Park
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Sunday, August 18 at 12 PM (Rain Date: Sunday, August 25), Bushkill Park
Leader: Jeff Mucklin
This walk is for those who enjoy the more unique side of historical places. Come join us for a walk around Bushkill Park and listen to a history lesson surrounding the building of the park, the flooding, the building, the flooding, and now the slow rebuild once again. The creek is not Bushkill Park’s friend, but people’s love of fun, local and different types of entertainment is. Admission to the park is not part of this walk.
Terrain: flat, off path through grass
HMP History Hike: Industry & Iron Walk
Click Here to Sign Up for this Walk
Sunday, September 1 at 1 PM (No Rain Date), Hugh Moore Park, Easton
Leader: Jeff Mucklin
Discover Hugh Moore Park’s fascinating past while exploring its industrial ruins. Participants will learn about the Lucy Furnace and Glendon Iron Works, the Abbott Street industrial complex, and telegraph communications. While here, add a visit to the museum and a ride on our mule drawn canal boat to complete your visit.
Terrain: flat and easy
Fall Migration in the Lehigh Gap: A Bird Walk with Terry Master
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Saturday, September 7 at 9 AM (Rain Date: Sunday, September 8), Lehigh Nature Gap Center
Leaders: Terry Master
Join Terry Master, retired professor of Biological Sciences from East Stroudsburg University, on a 2.5-mile loop hike along the D&L, Bobolink, and L&E trails. He taught courses in ornithology, ecology, and animal behavior. The hike will focus on birds and discussion of site history and ecology and behavior of local wildlife in general. It is suggested to bring a set of binoculars, although there will be some on hand for lending.
Terrain: mostly flat, rocky in places and with several small uphill inclines along the way
HMP History Walk: Waterways Walk
Click Here to Sign Up for this Walk
Sunday, October 6 at 1 PM (No Rain Date), Hugh Moore Park, Easton
Leader: Jeff Mucklin
Discover Hugh Moore Park’s fascinating past along the Lehigh River and Canal, highlighting how it helped spur America’s Industrial Revolution. Participants will learn about the park’s flora and fauna, the locktender’s house, and Island Park. While here, add a visit to the museum and a ride on our mule drawn canal boat to complete your visit.
Terrain: flat and easy
D&L History Hike: White Haven to Lehigh Tannery
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Saturday, October 12 at 10 AM (Rain Date: Sunday, October 13), D&L White Haven South Trailhead
Leader: Vince Hydro
Join us for a 3-mile out-and-back hike along the D&L Trail starting at the White Haven South Trailhead. We will hike south, stopping at lock 28 and then continue on to view the remains of the Lehigh Tannery. Along the way we will take a look at the Lehigh River from the road bridge. As we walk, you will certainly take in the beauty of the fall foliage all around us.
Terrain: flat and easy, crushed stone paving, wear bright clothing as there is some walking along the road
4 Miles for Health
Click Here to Sign Up for this Walk
Saturday, October 26 at 9 AM (Rain or Shine), South Bethlehem Greenway
Leader: Brit Kondravy
Are you looking for opportunities for group exercise without the added layer of education? The Miles for Health walks were created with you in mind. Join a group of like-minded individuals who want to get out on the trail, meet some new people, and get moving. The South Bethlehem Greenway follows an old railroad line from Saucon Park through much of historic South Bethlehem for nearly 2.5 miles. Join us on this art walk trail with a brisk out-and-back walk beginning at Saucon Park lasting about 4 miles.
Terrain: flat and easy
HMP History Hike: Industry & Iron Walk
Click Here to Sign Up for this Walk
Sunday, November 3 at 1 PM (No Rain Date), Hugh Moore Park, Easton
Leader: Jeff Mucklin
Discover Hugh Moore Park’s fascinating past while exploring its industrial ruins. Participants will learn about the Lucy Furnace and Glendon Iron Works, the Abbott Street industrial complex, and telegraph communications. While here, add a visit to the museum and a ride on our mule drawn canal boat to complete your visit.
Terrain: flat and easy
D&L History Hike: The Gorge
Click Here to Sign Up for this Walk
Saturday, November 16 at 10 AM (Rain Date: Sunday, November 17), D&L Jim Thorpe North Trailhead
Leader: Vince Hydro
Join us for a 4-mile out and back walk from the Jim Thorpe D&L Trailhead north to Glen Onoko. This walk affords you the opportunity to look at lock No. 2, which is still in excellent condition. Along the way you can view the site of the village of Lausanne, where the original coal arks on the Lehigh Navigation were constructed as well as the site of the Wahnetah Hotel at Glen Onoko and the CRRNJ Tunnel at the Turnhole.
Terrain: flat and easy
