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Print Friendly MapThe trail winds along the Bushkill Creek connects the old Simon Silk Mill on 13th Street to Third Street at the base of the stone stairs leading up to Lafayette College. The trail is paved and though not complete, will have signage and art installations along the walkway.
The trail is named for Easton sculptor Karl Stirner, who has spent 25 years as a mentor and unofficial real estate agent, ushering aspiring artists to Easton. German-born Stirner started his art career at age 23. He was a professional drafter who served in World War II. He has held teaching positions at Tyler School of Art at Temple University and at Moore and Swarthmore colleges.
There are benches spread along the trail which runs along the Bushkill Creek and Route 22. The trail features the city's first dog park, which is situated just north of Route 22's Cemetery Curve. The dog park has separate penned areas for bigger dogs and smaller dogs.
Parking is available between Route 22 and the Bushkill Creek on 13th Street.
While profiling the Lehigh Valley trails over the past year, I've noticed that several of them have a particular theme. The Ironton Rail Trail prominently highlights the cement and iron industries that were served by the old RR by taking users past the ruins of several mills and preserving numerous pieces of infrastructure and memorabilia from the RR itself. The D&L Trail, meanwhile, focuses on the role water transportation played in the region's economies as it winds its way past numerous locks and historic buildings that once served the Lehigh and Delaware canals.
Named in honor of a German immigrant who moved to Easton and became a renowned artist, the Karl Stirner Arts Trail celebrates the thriving community he established in the city. The 2.4 mile long trail follows the banks of Bushkill Creek from N. 13th Street to the south end of Lafayette College campus, where it extends into downtown Easton via a concurrency along 3rd Street. Cyclists will appreciate the trail's smooth, asphalt surface, though the shorter, woodchip and earthen nature trail that branches off at about midpoint and passes beneath an abandoned RR bridge is also worth checking out. Caution should also be used on the eastern half of the trail, which mostly follows on-street concurrencies with Bushkill Drive and 3rd Street.
However, the trail is most notable for the numerous sculptures, murals and paintings that line its route. Although several of these works were created by local artists, some came from as far away as California, and one, a gate near the Blue Bridge over Bushkill Creek, was constructed by Stirner himself prior to his death in 2016. Several pieces of infrastructure, including an electrical box and guard fences lining the trail, are also artistically decorated, while the Witness Tree, a giant American Sycamore situated along the trail near the Blue Bridge that has been dated to 1757, is celebrated as a natural work of art. It's also common to see outdoor art classes being conducted. Although the trail, which follows an old RR grade, is level and bicycle friendly, I recommend doing it on foot in order to fully appreciate all it has to offer. Easton's Linear Art Gallery is a fitting tribute to the legacy of one of the region's most influential residents in recent history.
Loved all the art and garden additions!
Lovely city park. Well taken care of.
Very clean and beautiful trail. Lots of fun history to learn.
Even in the snow, this is a stunning gem of a walk.
Enjoyed this on a Sunday morning Well signed and fun
I park, on north 13th and rode my bike to the bridge by I think, 7th there was a curve rode to cross, I had to go back it looked danger, but the trail art trail, it self was great I enjoyed, it. hope to go back before it gets to cold.
My boyfriend dog and I walked this trail for the first time. I'm sure if you were riding a bike it might be too short. The bushkill runs parallel to it so there's plenty of chances to walk down to the water. I was also pleased to see a little fenced in dog park area that I could let my dog run around in and work off some energy! Over all, great trail!
This is a beautiful short trail, we rode from the parking area at 13th street to 3rd street where the trail is on sidewalks or on city streets. The reason for suggesting walking rather than biking is so that you slow down and enjoy all of the artwork along the trail.
This is a very well maintained short trail for a walk or short bike ride. OK for small kids as it is wide but there is a drop off near the river in some places. Also crossing Bushkill Dr can be tricky as there is a curve in the road where the trail crosses and sight lines are short. No bathrooms or water, but not really needed for this short of a trail. Very scenic, wish it was longer or connected to other trails.
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