Joseph M. McDade Recreational Trail

Pennsylvania

38 Reviews

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Joseph M. McDade Recreational Trail Facts

States: Pennsylvania
Counties: Pike
Length: 31.2 miles
Trail end points: Hialeah Trailhead (East Stroudsburg) and Milford Beach, 150 Milford Beach Rd. (Milford)
Trail surfaces: Gravel
Trail category: Greenway/Non-RT
ID: 6654673

Joseph M. McDade Recreational Trail Description

Note: With a surface of large-sized gravel, the trail is not recommended for road bikes or mountain bikes with no suspension. 

Overview

The Joseph M. McDade Recreational Trail runs nearly the length of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River across from New Jersey. The protected area preserves the flora and fauna, as well as historical and archaeological sites, in a steep gorge that the river carved through a ridge in the Appalachian Mountains. Several waterfalls crash along the cliffside.

The gravel path runs 31.3 miles along the river, except for a nearly mile-long section that climbs from the river to the visitor center on a ridge overlooking the southern section. Trailheads are less than 5 miles apart and are connected by a free bus shuttle that runs on weekends through the summer. A 2.5-mile section below the cliff face between the Conashaugh and Pittman Orchard trailheads (miles 26 to 28.5) is closed from December 15–July 15 every year to avoid disturbing nesting eagles.

About the Route

Leaving off from the southern Hialeah trailhead in East Stroudsburg, the trail runs along a fairly flat segment through the woods along the river for about 6 miles to the Owens trailhead, where it climbs a ridge on switchbacks for 0.7 miles to the park’s visitor center. Observation platforms here allow visitors to see the river below and wildlife. This is the most difficult section of the trail.

The next 3.5 miles cross rolling terrain into the Bushkill area, once a busy resort and farming community. Archaeological studies here also reveal American Indians once thrived in this area. The trail runs between US 209 and the Delaware River over the next several miles, arriving at the former site of the Egypt Mills.

The trail variously passes through cropland and forests to a good view of the river at Eshback Access, a boat launching site. The woods north of here teem with wildlife, and trail users may see bears and deer along with squirrels, chipmunks, and raccoons. The longest stretch between trailheads—5.3 miles—occurs between Jerry Lees trailhead and Schneider Farm trailhead at mile 21.4.

In another 1.1 miles, the trail reaches Dingmans Campground, which has 133 campsites (No backcountry camping is permitted west of the Delaware River, and river campsites are reserved for boaters). The trail and US 209 follow a narrow band between the river and cliffs for much of the remaining 9 miles. The trail comes to the popular Raymondskill Falls about 6 miles past the campground.

Please note that the section from White Pines through Pittman Orchard is hiking only and biking is prohibited.

Trail History

The federal government acquired the land through which the Joseph M. McDade Recreational Trail runs in the 1950s to the 1970s for a flood-control dam. The government officially abandoned the dam project in the 1990s, though it was voted down in 1975 due to opposition from scientists and displaced residents. The National Park Service then acquired the 40-mile-long corridor for the recreation area. It named the trail along the river for the late Joseph M. McDade, a congressman who represented the district.

Parking and Trail Access

The Joseph M. McDade Recreational Trail runs between the Hialeah Trailhead (East Stroudsburg) and Milford Beach, 150 Milford Beach Rd. (Milford), with parking available at both ends.

Parking is also available at:

  • 1978 River Rd. (Bushkill)
  • 6414 Milford Rd. (East Stroudsburg)
  • 3251 US-209 (Bushkill)

Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.

Joseph M. McDade Recreational Trail Reviews

Wow. Was very bumpy. A couple of trees were down. Started at Dingmans ferry. Went north. Lots of hills! Had to stop at Zimmermans Farm Road. It got too narrow from there. Exhausted!!

Wow. Was very bumpy. A couple of trees were down. Started at Dingmans ferry. Went north. Lots of hills! Had to stop at Zimmermans Farm Road. It got too narrow from there. Exhausted!!

terrible trail

The most unkempt trail I’ve ever ridden. This trail is not maintained at all and after the first 4-5 miles it turns into a completely overgrown trail that no one would find a joy to ride. Whoever is in charge of this trail should resign!! Worst ever…don’t waste your time!!

Not a trail for anything except a mt. bike with suspension.

I can't believe I'm forced to give this trail two stars. It's not due to the location, the scenery or lack of variety. The trail gets five stars for these features. It's due to the condition of the trail. It's HORRIBLE!! Someone got the bright idea to put very large gravel down on the trail. which turned the trail into one that is only suitable for a mountain bike with suspension. Even then, it's not an easy ride. Yes, there are sections that are flat, but there are also sections that are so steep that you're forced to get off your bike to get up it. Though I'm not any sort of professional biker, I am someone who takes 70 mile road bike day trips on a regular basis. It took me five hours to go 36 miles - 18 miles out and 18 miles back. I had planned to do the entire trail out and back. If I'm having issues with a trail, there's good reason. I took my regular mountain bike (no suspension) and my body was shaken all over the place due to the trail condition. Until the trail condition is resolved, I sadly won't be returning to this trail again. It's a darn shame. On a positive note, I did see a bobcat!

* The trail description of the trail on the national park web page, the official Rails to Trails book for PA and other sources need to be updated to reflect the true condition(s) of the trail.

Disappointing for Bikes - Excellent for Hiking

Thought I could make a day trip of biking and paid $10 to park at Milford Beach with the intent of taking the 31 mile trail then return back to the parking lot. The trail is easily accessible from the parking lot. All good for about 3.5 miles on a beautiful gravel path. Passed by Raymondskill area and found that one I had two choices with the bike - climb up very steep rock rustic steps or take the highway (206/209?) on my bike. Riding winding roads with cars zooming by wasn’t an option for me.

Accordion

Too aggressive for me!

I did 2 rides on McDade with my RAD City 3 Ebike. First ride started at the Bushkill access. This was a nice ride, but the surface is large stone/gravel. Not a smooth ride, but the scenery was nice. The next day, we accessed from the Eshbach point. This was WAY out of my comfort zone. Very steep mountainous terrain. The surface was much smoother here, but the inclines were so steep. We had been told that Eshbach was “the nicer ride”. My bruises say otherwise! Rider be warned!

Trail Description is not very accurate

Started at Milford Beach expecting a basically downhill ride. From Milford Beach to Dingmans Campground many stretches were unrideable and needed to walk bike up and down steps and steep slopes. The only positive in this stretch was that Raymondskill Falls was a short uphill walk from the trail and worth the view. By the time we got to Dingman Falls I did not have the energy left to afford another side excursion. Trail for flat sections was basically compacted cinders, the steep sections were dirt hiking trails. From Dingmans Campground to Hialeah the trails meanders up and down as well as sideways several steep cinder sections with one sign missing that almost caused a calamity. Steep drop with sharp right turn at bottom onto a bridge. Bridge was not visible until bottom and carrying to much speed right turn is not possible. Three choice run in stream, hit tree or exposed tree roots.

The trail is not recommended for street bikes and absolutely need MTB or Hybrid with suspension north of Dingmans Campground. From Hialeah to Dingmans required several side tours on to roadways, twice on Highway. Many flat stretches but also some pretty hefty grades in this run.

NOT "mostly flat"

We started at the Hialeah trailhead and almost immediately encountered a steep gravel downhill - which I guess set the tone for the ride. There are lots of ups and downs and killer steep switchbacks. This trail is not for the "lets have a nice scenic and pleasant ride" kind of people like me. The scenery is great, but honestly I was too stressed to enjoy it - I passed way to many "steep hill" signs!

A Little Rough in Spots, but Scenic

We have been riding this trail for about the past 10 years. Our first time out, we started out at the Hialeah trailhead. Will not do that again. Only for the younger, more adventurous mountain biker, not older geezers like my buddy and myself. Now, we start at the trailhead near Bushkill. We bike out 12 to 15 miles and come back. Nice views of the Delaware. Trail is pretty well-maintained. No skinny tires recommended for this trail. Also not recommended for riders looking for a "smooth" ride.

Pittman orchard

Rode with my friends Sept 19, 2020. Started at Pittman’s orchard which was the wrong choice. Single and narrow track and met with lotsa roots and rocks and then the stairs. We made it alive though after encountering 2 cubs by Dingman’s. I suggest an easy start at Hialeah for an easier and more scenic ride. Carry a bear spray too if you decide riding during cooler weather.

Bike Riding: Good for the novice to the intermediate

Nice trail bed (not for rode tires), I wouldn't ride anything thinner than 38mm on a drop bar. Short punchy climbs on either ends other wise fairly flat river side riding. Has a nice flow and is not heavily used. Access to the River via camping areas or launch areas are throughout the length of the trail. A short section of single track between Namanock Island & Raymondskill road is not recommended for bikes (both locations have trail access via parking areas). Route 209 has a decent shoulder between these 2 points so you can ride the road. A fun way to check out the river or pound out some miles without worrying about cars.

Lots of variety, but know your trail

I'm not sure why the section beginning at Hialeah was described as "fairly flat" - it certainly is not, esp. one "killer" hill about .75 miles in.

It doesn't flatten out until Smithfield Beach - from there you can go almost 4 miles of flatness until you get to the Trail parking lot off Freeman Tract Rd. (a dirt road off River Rd. that's not named on maps). Mostly crushed stone throughout and stays pretty close to the river, making it perhaps the most popular stretch for casual bikers.

After that, it's a brutal up/down trail for several more miles, going past the Ranger Station. After the parking area at Bushkill, it's pretty flat for many more miles until you get to Dingman's Campground. The whole time you're alternating between wooded sections and fields.

beautiful but very difficult near visitor center

My husband and I are in our 60’s and usually ride flat trails. This trail is beautiful and well maintained but very steep with curves about a mile before and after visitors center. We had to walk our bikes several times while riding. Path is large roads rather than gravel which made for a rough ride. We have hybrid bikes. Definitely not for a road bike. Mountain bikes might be best. Our suggestion is to park at a parking area north of the visitors center such as Bushkill Village and travel north.

Good family trail ...

Stayed at Shawnee resort with my wife and 2 kids (6 and 9). Not knowing the area we cam upon this trail at Hialeah. Started easy enough but before long the hills started. Wish there had been warnings (maybe we missed them). We are not experienced bikers so we ended up walking up all the hills with our little ones. We made it to Smithfield Beach 1.7 miles and kids didn't want to ride back. I rode back to get the car. It was a good ride but had to walk up one hill. Next day we started at Smithfield going north and got as far as Turn Farm about 2.2 miles. This stretch was pretty flat with minimal hills. A lot of green but can hardly see the river. But, good stretch to ride with kids as mostly level. Will need to visit again alone to see how far I can make it.

Great trail for mountain bikes with wide tires

I have ridden this trail about a dozen times over 6 years using 4 different bikes from road bike to hard tail mountain bike. I find a hard tail mountain bike with 2.5" wide tires the best match for the crushed stone.
I like how the steep hills and sharp turns break up the monotony characteristic of many rail-trails I have ridden (especially in Florida).

My latest ride was during the severe heat advisory weekend of July 21. It was very tolerable given the ample shade and cooler temperatures of the forest it mostly traverses. In the afternoon, the tree line along the fields provides good shade. Even 209 heading south is mostly shaded after 2:00 PM. I was able to bike leisurely from Bushkill to Milford and back in 8 hours with many water breaks. However, I like it best in the spring and fall when it is easier to view the river without all the undercover.

Water is available at trail-heads spaced no more than 10 miles apart, so that was no problem. Many good eateries are found in Milford but I recommend the Rooster deli at Bushkill for great hoagies and snacks. I park at the Bushkill Meeting Center next to Bushkill creek; plenty of parking with no fees.

I would rate this trail five stars except for the no bike sections between Milford and Dingman's Ferry. I really don't like biking 209 since the shoulder is very narrow with large RVs wizzing by. Also, I don't recommend biking at dusk as the trail gets difficult to navigate in the forest at low light.

Milford Beach to White Pines

Started at the Milford Beach parking on Sunday July 21st. Didn't see anyone on the trail. Enjoyed the scenery. This is definitely a trail for a mountain bike. I should have done my homework - there's a section of the trail between Pittman Orchard and Conashaugh and another section between Conashaugh and White Pines that are for hiking only and closed to bike riding. You will need to ride on US 209. I will come back to the trail at another time to ride other trail sections. JC Capote

Beautiful but very tough riding

Son-in-law and I rode entire trail round trip--67 miles with excursion into Milford. This is not a flat trail. Lots of tough climbs especially on the large stone gravel at both ends of the trail. Bridges can be slick when wet. Technical downhills. Recommend a mountain bike or gravel bike. Only experienced riders should attempt long distances on this trail. Would consider this a mountain bike trail, not a recreational trail for general public because of the difficulty of the trail. Would rate this as a 4-star or 5-star as a mountain bike trail but only a 2 or 3 as a general rec trail.

Sweet Surface

I have ridden the trail many times, from Milford and from Dingmans Ferry.
I love the surface. Just enough gravel to protect the trail. I love riding through the pine forest areas and over the pine needles.
I do wish the trail was rideable just past Raymondskill Road. This is the hiking only section. Otherwise, this is a beautiful option for families or groups to get outside and enjoy the river, the corn fields, pine forests and all that this gorgeous trail has to offer.
Lucky to live so close.

Used to be our favorite trail, now ruined by the large gravel paving

We used to go to Milford, PA, every year to stay at the Hotel Fauchere, eat great food, go hiking on the local trails and canoeing on the Delaware. The highlight of our trip was a long, leisurely ride down the McDade trail. We'd go about 4 miles toward Dingman's Ferry, then turn around. We'd take lunch and top by one of the wildflower-covered fields. There were always many other bikers enjoying the trail every time we rode it.

But, this weekend, we tried to go on our beloved trail again, but someone - in the last two years - has paved it in large, unpacked gravel. Some of the stones are 1 or even 2 inched in diameter. It made for a bone shaking ride, and we slipped on the stones going up and down hills. This time, we only made it about a mile down the trail before we had to come back, both with headaches and backaches from the rough ride.

The trail was in perfect condition before, so I can't understand why some bureaucrat approved this paving without first testing to see if it was a viable solution, and confirming it improved the trails. The trail is now ruined, unusable unless you have a heavy-duty mountain bike (we have nice hybrids). Such a shame that someone's stupidity and ignorance about bike paths has ruined this for the hundreds of people who enjoy the trail through out the year.

Now all those people who traveled to the area to use that trail are not going to come. They will take the money they spent shopping, eating and staying in Milford somewhere else. I know we won't be back. There are many great trails throughout the mid-Atlantic region that are properly cared for and groomed.

Shame. Stupid mistake. Would cost a fortune to remove the gravel and replace it with stone dust like every other good trail is paved in.

Good for mountain bike but rather monotonous view for the ride

Don't expect to see much of the river. We rode from Bushkill near "Roost's. Went north on the trail. Saw the river for a little stretch. Rode for an hour north and then back Mostly gravel paved. Stopped by boat slip area about 45 min north of start. If you're hoping for some place to stop and buy refreshment or snack along that biking route there's nothing. Be prepared before starting out. Maybe saw 4 bikers the whole time. And handful of walkers. Not busy. Wasn't worth the drive for us. Good workout but as stated..monotonous trail.

Tough but worth it

Some very steep hills but love the twist and turns of the trail.

From Milford

Best part was From Milford for first 3-4 miles-- was totally awesome.

Then there's a section of the bike trail that doesnt exist and you have to ride on 209 for 2.5 miles before getting back on the trail, we didnt love that.


Overall a great ride. I'd stick with the first section from Milford, or plan on going further to make the 209 section worth it.

Hileah to Park HQ

Great trail, although not to technical with the smooth, mostly crushed stone trail, the trail has some really good hills and turns, beautiful views and lots of neat little bridges. You also get to see many of the abandoned houses and farms in the area that the Feds condemned and bought from the owners at a low price to build the Tocks Island Dam project that never got built along the ride.

Loved It

We enjoy cycling 25-30 miles once a week. We are use to flat trails such as the C&O Towpath in Maryland so when we started on this path we knew it would be a challenge. The first day we rode 23 miles roundtrip (RT) from Dingman's Campground to Bush Kill Access and back. It was a very nice ride and the path is well maintained. It is quite hilly in that section but NOT as hilly in the following section. We were exhausted but had our workout and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

Two days later, we picked up our bike ride at Bush Kill Access and went to Hialeah Access and back This was a 20 mile RT ride. This 10 mile section of trail is much more difficult then the one previously. I spent a lot of time walking my bike up the steep hills. HOWEVER, the overall ride was worth it. We did discover that you can avoid part of the steep rocky trail on the way back and fly downhill by taking the road out of the Park Headquarters down to the closed off section of the road that parallels the path then reconnects. I believe that is called Community Drive. You have to be careful doing that due to the traffic that speeds by.

We really wanted to cycle the whole trail but part of the section between Dingman's Campground and Milford was closed. Hopefully we will return soon and try to finish that section so that we can say we did the whole trail :)

good and not so good

the good? Easy access from Dingmans Campground and several other points along the route. The not-so-good? Very hilly. Really more a hiking trail than a hiking trail. No views of the river. We rode the trail for several miles south of the campground and a bit north. Both times we rode back at twice the speed on Route 209.

May Be Five Stars

I used the McDade trail to return to hiking and regain some level of fitness.
I had a goal to hike the entire length (32 miles) which I did in about three weeks April May 2015.

The great thing about this trail are the many distance options available. All my trips where YoYos (Hike out and come back to same spot). Many sections of trail can be used by those with mobility issues. The sections north of Dingmans Ferry have some hills.

Over all if you cannot find a location you can mannage on this trail it's because your dead. There is camping (by permit), picnic tables and some great beaches at both ends.

The trail itself is 90% road (5'-8' wide). There is the occasional "path" but it doesn't last too long. Runners should love this trail.

The views of the Delaware River and the manicured pathways of the McDade trail are at times inspiring.

I would say overall the trail is mostly easy to somewhat moderate.

The sections along open fields, that are south of Dingmans Ferry to Bushkill, would be rough on a hot sunny day.

North part not for those who don't enjoy white knuckle adventure

I have taken the trail from milford beach to Dingmans bridge with my mt. bike, a lot of the trail is cinders and wide, but some is not so be warned. At one point you cross a small bridge and suddenly it says no bikes, and for good reason, I had to push my bike up and down steep ridges with sliding shale and the river below, scared me a bit at the time, but it was a good challenge and a test of my might, and I passed. You better be in some good shape if you plan to do that. Other than the physical challenge the views were gorgeous, I sat on the side of the river to eat my lunch, and enjoyed the wildlife. The trail runs through the ravine between 209 and the river, and 209 is waaaayyy above this area so there are no car sounds. My only wish is that my bike was not so heavy, and you should bring a friend because if you get hurt down there no-one is going to be able to get to you and help you out. You will be there a long time. I want to try the Dingmans to 80 part next I hear it is less wild, so Im sure it will be more crowded. Can't wait to check it out.

A Very Picturesque Ride!

My buddy and myself ride this trail a couple of times a week, from May to October. We get on near Bushkill and head north. We like to do 12-15 miles North and then back, for a total of 24-30 miles. This section is fairly flat with well-maintained roadbed. You will alternate from shady woods-trail to open riding along the edge of cornfields. This is one of our favorite rides. I would avoid going south to the Hialeah trailhead, unless you are in good shape and like climbing gravely hills.

know where to park!

If you are coming on 209 from Milford and you park at the first lot do not go to the right. You can bike for a short distance and then the trail is closed to bikes...for good reason! My husband and I tried it anyway and alternately rode, walked and prayed that we wouldn't fall down the ravine into the river. We finally hiked up to the road (which was an almost vertical feat) and were able to take the road back to the bikeable section of trail. On the way back we went past the parking area and little way toward Milford, but due to time we did not go far so I can't say much about that way. The biking parts were nice, I really enjoyed it. When I go again I will park further down past the section that is closed to bikes.

Not your typical rail trail

This is a great trail. It's not the typical rail trail, in that there are hills and not many road crossings, at least in the southernmost part. This trail is ride-able with either a mountain bike or hybrid; I'd avoid it with a road bike. It's mostly crushed stone, some loose.
There is a point, about 6 miles from the Hialeah Trailhead, where the trail hits a carriage road (Freeman Tract Road). The trail sign tells bikes to go right. About an eighth of a mile from there is a parking lot on the left side. Note: The trail picks up in the parking lot. Be sure to enter the parking lot and not stay on the carriage road.
If you map the Hialeah Trailhead from NYC or points east on the RTC website, there is a change. The RTC directions tell you to go on a logging road. This is incorrect. When you get off Exit 310 from I-80 toward Delaware Water Gap, continue straight at the light (past the Welcome Center) onto River Rd. The trailhead is about 3.5 miles on the right. Once you enter the parking area, drive past the day camp sites to the end. This is where the trail starts.
We rode on a Friday afternoon and there were few other people there. We basically had the trail to ourselves.
The Welcome Center has maps for the trail. The attendant knew the area well.

Awesome

Me and my bro completed 21 of the 32 miles. It was a great experience. The trail was awesome, well designed and built. Going back to do the 32 baby!!

Above Fernwood

Before this I was a Lehigh Gorge fan but going up from the access area above Fernwood the trail is awesome for me with just the right amount of ups and downs. Nice also to know if you break a chain at sunset miles from your car you might hitch a ride on the road.

Challenging with several large hills

Myself and two others completed 32 miles of this trail starting in Milford and ending at the picnic area. The ride took use 5.5 hours to complete. The trail is maintained but could be marked better. Twice we had to ride a short distance on the road to the next trail head one due to a wash out on the trail, this section i believe turned out to be hiking only and the other because the bridge is not in place near bush kill. In my experience the hills which are encountered tend to be either big and steep or long and drawn out both of which turned out to be pushing our bikes up the hills. This is my home trail and i often find myself completing the section from smith field to the hill right before the park headquarters because of the easy of this section and the awesome views of the mt's and river. Over all you would need to be in decent shape to complete the trail in its entirety and have a lot of water with you if its hot.

Caution advised.

This trail is hilly, rocky and can be difficult to follow. There are numerous offshoots, including dirt roads and paved roads to traverse while riding between trailheads. Many of the slopes are either unsafe on a downhill, or get-off-your-bike-and-push type climbs.

There are typically dog walkers and families creating a kind of crowd in the summer due to the resorts close by. In the winter, watch out for hunters. Check the season before you come to this trail and wear hunter's orange cap or jacket. If you are unsure, wear the orange to be safe and if you have a large dog, it may be a good idea to get a dog vest.

I do have to say that the river views are beautiful and horses are verboten from this area, meaning smooth sailing when you are not climbing or descending hills.

Not a Rail-to-Trail

My husband and I were very disappointed to find out that this is not a true rail-trail bike trail. As bikers who each pull 20-lb beagles, this was impossible. On the first day we started at the southern end and had to quit when we reached a steep downgrade. The next day we went to another access point (past the beach pay parking area). From there we went south biking a bit further than the previous day. Again we had to end our trek when the trail got too hilly. I guess I did not read the previous reviews very carefully but for you other "flat landers" this is not our type of trail. Even without the beagles we would not have enjoyed this trail.
The trail is well maintained. Good gravel surface and weeds mowed along the side of the trail. Don't know if this trail run continuously for 32 miles. According to the map, the trail ended about 1.5 miles from where we parked on the second day.

Best overall bike ride in Eastern Pa.

Unbelievable trail. Nothing treacherous about it, but you must bring your lungs. If you are willing to climb the steep hills, then the downhill rewards are well worth it. Great tire grip, so if you have the will, there is a way. A combination of shaded old grove big tree forests and open meadow riding all running parallel to the Delaware river. Simply beautiful. If motivated can do out and back in one day, but a weekend excursion out and back would be a great time as well. Once again no singletrack, so no danger. Enjoy!!!

On Fridy July 13th my wife and I drove up from Promised Land Pa. where we were camping, to Milford Pa. We always investigate and choose a Rails-to-Trails ride in the area we find ourselves. We traveled up to the trails head in Milford where we had a difficult time finding the trail. It's located in a Pennsylvania Recreational facility that charges for admission. There are absolutly no signs or indicators of any kind to (1) show the biker where the Trail-Head is located, (2) if the trail exists at all. We found it at the back of the boat ramp after the life-quard at the beach was nice enough to direct us up there. The start of the ride takes the biker under the Route 6 bridge that spans Pa. to NY. Almost immediately the biker is faced with an uphill trail on cinders that we were forced to walk. One hundred yards further into the ride we encountered a second hill exactly the same. That was enough for the two of us. I don't care if it flattens out for the next 100 miles we still had to ride down those hills on cinders which was impossible. We felt like we wasted our day, time, and money going there. We would never reccomend this trail to anyone especially starting in the Milford area.

really nice trail.

We rode this trail on 2 warm November days. Starting in Dingmonds Ferry at the corner of State route 739 and State rt. 209, the trail goes up a long grade but is very do able. There are many places to park all along rt 209. (The trail north from here is closed at this time going to Milford due to the floods over the fall. Hopefully it can get repaired soon). From there we traveled south for about 8 miles the first day and enjoyed the scenery and the ride. The trail goes through fields and forest that are beautiful and quiet. Most of the ride is on flat gravel terrain that has slight inclines for the first 16 miles. Our bikes are hybrids that handle the terrain just fine. There are many places to stop for a picnic lunch that you bring on your own. Only place to buy some snacks is at the Dingmonds Ferry campground that was not open in November. We rode down to Bushkill Falls and stayed on the trail for about 2 more miles. At this point in Bushkill falls the trails gets more challenging with steep hills and a little rougher terrain. Some of the hills we walked up the hills but the ride down is always fun. This is a beautiful trail that brings nature closer to you. The Delaware River is in view most of the ride and the sound of the flowing water is tranquil and soothing during your breaks from the ride. Many hikers along the route this time of the year and not many bikers which make the ride very enjoyable. This trail has become one of our favorites and we will be hitting this trail many more times this spring and summer.
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Pretty but a bit more challenging ride

I tripped on this trail while poking around Google Maps, and its a great find! I took the trail from its southernmost point at Hialeah Landing up to the Bushkill Landing on one Saturday, then from Bushkill to the road to Dingman's Bridge.

There are a few hills at the start of the tail, then a big one between Owen's Landing and Bushkill, then its mostly flat or minor hills to the end of the biking section. Note: at Owen's Landing you hit a fork where hikers go straight and you must go right (on a road). A hundred feet up the road is a marked parking lot that you MUST enter to get on the trail again (ask me how I know this - 5 miles north to a dead end). At the top of the hill, you must get on the road for a few tens of a mile to get back on the trail.

This trail has varied terrain; some in deep forests, some skirting fields, some skirting the river. The hills give you a better workout than a pure rail trail does (some of the trail follows an old wagon road from many years ago).

Bikers can go about 24 miles before the trail turns into a hiker-only section, and hikers can go over 30 miles. I made the excursion to Dingman's Bridge so I could cross over to NJ - it's half a mile on a road with no shoulder to speak of - but not much traffic either.

The trail has a consistent crushed gravel surface - the first Saturday I was on road tires (1.65x26) and had no trouble. Several rest areas and one general store provide creature comforts.

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