Overview

Tucked away on South Mountain in Emmaus, the 34-acre B. Leroy and Elizabeth Burkhart Preserve offers a peaceful and natural hiking experience unlike any other Wildlands Conservancy property in the Lehigh Valley. Maintained in a more rustic condition than nearby preserves such as the Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary or South Mountain Preserve, this woodland gem invites visitors to explore its gently rolling terrain and thriving wildlife habitat.

Activities and amenities: Hiking, Parking Lot, Trail Running, Birdwatching, Dog Walking (Dogs must be leashed at all times)

Access Points:
4950 South Mountain Drive Emmaus, PA 18049

The preserve’s well-connected trail network provides opportunities for both brief walks and extended exploration:

Blue Trail (0.2 mi.) – Begins at the parking area, skirting the mountaintop and linking to the White and Yellow Trails.

Red Trail (0.4 mi.) – The central trail and main route through the preserve, connecting to all other paths.

White Trail (0.2 mi.) – Runs from the mountain’s crest down to the Orange and Yellow Trails.

Yellow Trail (0.1 mi.) – Traverses the slope, intersecting several other trails.

Purple Trail (0.1 mi.) – A short mid-mountain connector between the Orange and Red Trails.

Orange Trail (0.6 mi.) – The longest loop, winding across the mountainside with moderate elevation changes.

Green Trail (0.1 mi.) – Two steep spurs linking the Orange and Red Trails along the mountain face.

Conservation Legacy

The preserve was established in 1998 through a generous land donation by Elizabeth Burkhart, and later expanded in 2015 with a gift from Judith Diehl. Together, these contributions safeguard a critical portion of the forested South Mountain corridor, providing enduring protection for native plants, wildlife, and water resources.

Know Before You Go

Size: ~34 acres

Terrain: Gently sloping wooded hills

Features: Diverse birdlife, wildflowers, deciduous forest

Trail Length: Approximately 1.7 miles total

Access: Parking area available at trailhead

Immerse yourself in the quiet beauty of South Mountain and discover how the Burkhart Preserve’s natural character offers both tranquility and a glimpse into the Lehigh Valley’s ecological heart.