Top Running Trails in Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley is one of Pennsylvania's best regions for running, with a network that stretches across cities and through open countryside. Paved rail-trails follow historic canal corridors, creekside paths wind through nature preserves, and single-track routes cut through woodland and farmland.
Check out this guide and plan your run through Lehigh Valley.
Before heading out, it's worth taking a few minutes to study a map. Many trails in this guide have multiple access points, and knowing your entry and exit points ahead of time will help you plan a smarter route and feel confident once you're on the trail.
Allentown
Little Lehigh Parkway Trail
Location: 2850 Fish Hatchery Rd, Allentown (additional parking at 1628 Park Dr)
Trail Length: 6.2-mile loop
The Little Lehigh Parkway Trail is an easy, gravel-and-asphalt trail that starts at Bogart’s Bridge. It is mostly flat with a few steeper sections, but overall, a great option for a nice, flat run. Enjoy the views of wildlife and old buildings along the creek. There are multiple trail access points and plenty of parking at the 629-acre park.
Sherwood Forest, Bones, and North Side Path Trail Loop
Location: 1325 Oxford Drive, Allentown
Trail Length: 2.8-mile loop
The Sherwood Forest and Bones Trail offers a charming single-track experience, weaving through a mix of dense woodland and open fields. These trails connect to the North Side Path, a wider route that follows the gentle flow of Little Lehigh Creek. From there, enjoy mostly open, scenic views as the path leads the way to the trailhead at Lehigh Parkway East.
Nor-Bath Trail
Location: D&L Trail at Canal St. and W. 10th St. (Northampton) and SR 987/Race St., 0.6 mile northeast of Jacksonville Road (Bath)
Trail Length: 5.9 miles
As the name suggests, this trail connects Northampton to Bath and consists of a mix of asphalt and crushed stone. This mostly flat trail links directly to the D&L Trail at its southern end.
Ironton Rail Trail
Location: 3200-3218 Levans Rd. (Coplay) and Hokendauqua St. (Hokendauqua)
Trail Length: 8.9 miles
Built on a former iron ore railroad, this route passes through small communities and open countryside, connecting to the D&L Trail. It’s a great standalone run or part of a longer multi-trail outing.
Jordan Creek Greenway Trail
Location: Sumner Ave. (Allentown) to Mauch Chunk Rd (Whitehall) and Lapp Rd. (Wennersville) to US 309 (Wennersville)
Trail Length: 5.4 miles
The Jordan Creek Greenway Trail is a paved asphalt, boardwalk, and concrete running trail along Jordan Creek through the Allentown and Whitehall area.
Bethlehem
South Bethlehem Greenway
Location: Steel Avenue, between E. 3rd Street and Mechanic Street
Trail Length: 1.9 miles
The South Bethlehem Greenway is a paved rail-trail winding nearly 2 miles through the southern neighborhoods of Bethlehem, from just north of Lehigh University to the edge of Saucon Park. Along the way, enjoy views of the iconic steel stacks of the former Bethlehem Steel site.
Saucon Rail Trail
Location: Bachman Street (Hellertown) and Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Community Park and E. Landis St. (Coopersburg)
Trail Length: 7.5 miles
The Saucon Rail Trail is a crushed-stone rail-trail between Hellertown and Coopersburg, tracing a former rail corridor through a nice stretch of southern Lehigh County. It's a relatively flat route that connects directly with the South Bethlehem Greenway to the north, making it a great option for runners looking to extend their mileage.
Monocacy Way Trail
Location: Monocacy Creek Park and W. Union Boulevard
Trail Length: 2.5 miles
Follow Monocacy Creek through Bethlehem on a natural surface of crushed stone, gravel, and dirt on the Monocacy Way Trail. It's a peaceful, creekside route that is somewhat removed from the surrounding city.
Easton
D&L Trail
Location: Lehigh St at Woodlawn Ave (Mountain Top) and 603 Jefferson Ave. (Bristol)
Trail Length: 144.7 miles
One of the great long-distance rail trails in the area, the D&L Trail follows the historic Lehigh and Delaware Canal corridors through the heart of the Lehigh Valley, connecting Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton along the way. The section through the valley follows the path of the Lehigh Canal, where barges once hauled coal and iron from mines and foundries beginning as early as 1818. A good local starting point is the National Canal Museum at Hugh Moore Park in Easton, where runners can pick up the paved riverside trail heading west along the Lehigh River.
Love this trail? Consider signing up for a race during D&L Racefest weekend!
Tatamy Trail
Location: Main St. (Easton) and S. 25th St. (Easton)
Trail Length: 6.6 miles
The Tatamy Trail is a paved 6.6-mile rail-trail that runs through Easton, following a former rail corridor through a mix of residential neighborhoods and open stretches along Bushkill Creek. It's a smooth, accessible trail popular with both runners and cyclists, and connects to several other area trails for those looking to put together a longer route.
Karl Stirner Arts Trail
Location: N. 13th Street, 0.2 miles south of Bushkill Drive and Riverside Park (Easton)
Trail Length: 2.4 miles
The Karl Stirner Arts Trail is a paved 2.4-mile path along Bushkill Creek that doubles as an outdoor art gallery, featuring sculptures and installations scattered along the way. It runs from Riverside Park near downtown Easton to the north end of the city, with scenery that is fun to look at on a run or a leisurely walk.
Palmer Township Recreation Trail
Location: S. 27th St. (Easton) and 1391 Lehigh Dr. (Easton)
Trail Length: 7.8 miles
Also known as the Towpath Bike Trail, this route is a paved path running along the Lehigh River between two points in Easton. It follows the historic canal towpath and connects to the D&L Trail, making it one of the most enjoyable and accessible running routes in the Easton area.
