THE LINK: Trail Network launches website

If you live in the Lehigh Valley or have visited here in recent years, you likely know we have one of the most extensive trail networks in the northeast. If not, there’s a new website to help you start exploring. Even if you’re an experienced area rider, there’s still much to be learned here as well.

THE LINK describes themselves as “an interconnected network of safe, beautiful multi-use trails offering Lehigh Valley residents and visitors the opportunity for year-round outdoor recreation, transportation, and healthy living.” The site is run by a coalition of local partners committed to providing a valuable resource to area residents and visitors.

With over 300 miles of trails already in the Lehigh Valley and more on the way, THE LINK aims to be your primary source of information. You can sign up for their newsletter, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with trail news as it is announced.

Their coverage of local trails is extensive, and they plan to add information to trails that link the Lehigh Valley to New Jersey and Philadelphia. Each local trail page features a wealth of information, including a history and description, trail length, trail width, map, access point addresses, available activities, photo galleries, and plans for future trail extensions.

The only information you won’t find is each trail’s suitability for Me-Movers. What I can tell you from having ridden most of the trails is that the Me-Mover is great on most of them. Areas I would avoid with it are:

• D&L Trail from Weissport to the north
• D&L Trail from the southern end of Canal Park in Northampton to the boat launch just east of Route 33 in Easton
• Most of the Nor-Bath Trail, though the paved portions in Wayne A. Grube Memorial Park and Bicentennial Park are okay.
• Slate Heritage Trail from the PA Turnpike bridge to the western end
• Plainfield Township Trail

You’ll have to use your own judgement on all the trails of course, but overall the Me-Mover handles the packed gravel trails very well. Also, I have not ridden the Saucon Rail Trail or the Liberty-Water Gap Trail yet, so I cannot offer advice on them. I know they are gravel, but I don’t know the quality of it. I’ll continue to offer reviews of my own on this site when I can.

A while ago, I had envisioned developing a summary of trail information like this for Me-Mover Around the World, but it proved to be more work than I have had time for in recent years. I’m grateful to THE LINK for gathering all of this information in one place, and it’s something I can link my own writing to as needed. I hope you’ll enjoy their site and find it as useful as I have.