D&L Trail with Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway train passing by
A gentle lakeside loop, a wooded rail-trail, or a day pedaling through Lehigh Gorge—there are plenty of ways to build a cycling getaway around a stay at Bischoff Inn. From local trails in Tamaqua to longer adventures near Jim Thorpe, the region offers options for casual cyclists and riders ready to spend several hours outdoors.
The key is choosing the right ride. Some nearby paths are paved and short, while others feature crushed stone, rolling terrain, or longer distances that require transportation planning. Here’s a guide to bike paths, trails, and outdoor stops to explore during your stay.
Choose Your Ride
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2.7 miles one way
Mostly level, crushed-stone rail-trail with wooded scenery and historical features.
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1.7 mile loop
Reservoir scenery, trails, picnic areas, and biking opportunities; check posted bicycle access.
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1.3 mile loop
Paved, shared-use path circling the lake.
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Approximately 7.3 miles one way
Unpaved trail with rolling terrain and surfaces that can be challenging after rain.
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Approximately 25 miles from White Haven to Jim Thorpe
Predominantly crushed-stone rail-trail with a gentle overall downhill grade heading south.
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Various distances
Rental and shuttle-supported rides with route-dependent surfaces and difficulty.
Lehigh and New England Trail: A Wooded Ride Close to Tamaqua
For a relaxed outing close to town, start with the Lehigh and New England Trail. This 2.7-mile trail follows a former railroad corridor just south of Tamaqua. Its crushed-stone surface, mostly level terrain, and tree canopy make it an appealing option for riders looking for a manageable trip through the woods.
There is local history along the way, too. Interpretive signs at the Dairy Road trailhead and near the remains of the Shellhamer Ice Dam explain the corridor’s past. Mile markers help you track your progress, making it easy to choose a shorter outing or ride the full trail.
The main trailhead is off Dairy Road, with a small parking area and benches. Although most of the route is relatively flat, take care at road crossings, particularly Owl Creek Road, where there is a short, steep grade. Riding the full length and returning to your starting point makes an approximately 5.4-mile trip.
Make this a leisurely morning ride, then leave the afternoon open for lunch and exploring Tamaqua.
Owl Creek Reservoir Recreation Area: Pair cycling With Peaceful Water Views
Owl Creek Reservoir Recreation Area offers another way to spend time outdoors without making a longer trip to Jim Thorpe. Located at 329 Owl Creek Road in Tamaqua, it combines reservoir scenery with trails, picnic areas, birding, and wildlife-watching opportunities. Biking is permitted on the 1.7 mile loop path. Mountain bikes are recommended, as the path is not completely paved.
This is a good stop for a slower-paced day: enjoy some outdoor activity, bring a picnic, and take time to appreciate the water and surrounding landscape. It also gives traveling companions an option beyond a long-distance ride.
Locust Lake State Park: A Short, Paved Lakeside Loop
Locust Lake loop in fall
If you prefer an easy, paved path, Locust Lake State Park’s Bicycle Trail is a straightforward choice. The 1.3-mile paved loop circles the lake and is shared by walkers and cyclists. Pennsylvania DCNR identifies the path as ADA-accessible.
This is a scenic outing rather than an endurance ride. Enjoy a gentle lap, pause beside the water, or combine your cycling with a walk and a picnic. Its short distance makes it easy to fit into a weekend that includes other activities.
Because the path is shared, keep your speed low around pedestrians and leave plenty of passing room. For guests who want some fresh air without committing most of the day to cycling, Locust Lake offers a simple option.
Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail: A Local Route With More Varied Terrain
The Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail extends approximately 7.3 miles from just outside Tamaqua to Middleport, passing through the Schuylkill River Valley near Route 209. It is another local option for visitors who want to explore beyond town while cycling
Part of the route follows Route 209, a busy highway, although there is plenty of clearance between the road and the bike path. In the summer, the route is largely exposed without much shade. The route includes rolling terrain, and its unpaved dirt-and-sand surface can become difficult after heavy rain. Riders should be comfortable with variable conditions and check recent trail information before heading out.
Choose an out-and-back distance that suits your energy and bicycle. Riding the full route and returning to your starting point means approximately 14.6 miles—not simply the listed one-way distance. A shorter ride can still leave plenty of time for a relaxed afternoon back in Tamaqua.
D&L Trail Through Lehigh Gorge: Make a Day of It
Section of the D&L trail
For a longer cycling adventure, head to the D&L Trail through Lehigh Gorge. The popular White Haven-to-Jim Thorpe ride covers approximately 25 miles, following the Lehigh River through wooded gorge scenery. Traveling south provides a gentle overall downhill grade, which helps make this a popular one-way route.
The trail is predominantly compacted crushed stone rather than pavement. Despite the gradual grade, it still requires sustained pedaling, so choose a distance that matches your experience and leave time for breaks.
Riders can park in White Haven or Jim Thorpe with their own vehicles and bikes OR park in Jim Thorpe, take a prearranged bicycle shuttle north, and ride back to your vehicle. Pocono Biking offers bicycle rentals, shuttle-supported rides, and hourly rentals for visitors who prefer a flexible out-and-back outing.
For a getaway at Bischoff Inn, this can be your main adventure day: ride through the gorge, enjoy a meal in Jim Thorpe, and return to Tamaqua for the evening.
Can You Ride an E-Bike on the D&L Trail?
Yes! E-bikes meeting Pennsylvania DCNR requirements are welcome on the D&L Trail through Lehigh Gorge State Park. Bikes must have working pedals, weigh no more than 100 pounds, have a motor of 750 watts or less, and not exceed 20 mph under motor assistance. Riders must pedal when using electric assistance; throttle-only riding is prohibited on the nonmotorized trail. Always follow posted speed limits and check local rules when exploring other D&L sections.
Jim Thorpe Bike Train: Combine Rail Travel and Cycling
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway employee loading bikes on the train
For a different way to experience the gorge, consider a Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Bike Train excursion. The train carries riders and their bicycles from Jim Thorpe to White Haven, where cyclists begin the approximately 25-mile ride back to Jim Thorpe at their own pace.
The appeal is the combination: experience the corridor by train in one direction, then take your time exploring it by bicycle on the return journey.
Check the railway’s current Bike Train schedule and booking requirements before planning your stay around an excursion. Be sure you are booking a Bike Train trip rather than assuming a regular scenic train ticket includes bicycle transportation.
More D&L Trail Options From Lehighton
D&L Trail Lehighton Outdoor Center Bike Shuttle
Lehighton offers another starting point for a customized cycling outing. Lehighton Outdoor Center provides one-way bicycle shuttles to D&L Trail access points, allowing riders to return to the center by bike. Its options include shorter and longer rides, with surfaces and difficulty varying by route.
This can be helpful when you want an outfitter to guide your choice. Explain your preferred distance, cycling experience, and comfort with gravel before booking. A route that suits an experienced cyclist may not be the best introduction for someone who usually rides only on pavement.
Before riding any D&L section, consult the official interactive trail map for access information and alerts rather than assuming the entire corridor is continuously open.
A Weekend Cycling Itinerary at Bischoff Inn
D&L Trail
Friday: Arrive and Unwind
Settle into Bischoff Inn and keep the evening relaxed. Enjoy dinner, review your route, and confirm any bicycle rental, shuttle, or Bike Train arrangements for the following day.
Saturday: Choose Your Main Adventure
For a full day outdoors, plan a D&L Trail ride through Lehigh Gorge or a scheduled Bike Train excursion. Leave room in your schedule for breaks and a meal afterward.
Prefer to stay closer to Tamaqua? Ride the Lehigh and New England Trail, then spend part of the afternoon at Owl Creek Reservoir Recreation Area. It is possible to ride from Bischoff Inn to the Lehigh and New England Trail and connect via Owl Creek Road to Owl Creek Reservoir and then return to Bischoff Inn.
Sunday: Finish With a Gentle Outing
Take a short ride around Locust Lake, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, or spend more time exploring Tamaqua before heading home. The goal is a weekend that balances activity with time to slow down—not a checklist of trails to complete.
D&L Trail
Before You Ride
A little preparation will help you choose the right outing:
Match the bike to the surface. Pavement, compacted stone, and softer unpaved trails create different riding conditions.
Check weather and trail conditions. Be especially cautious about unpaved routes after rain.
Confirm the total distance. A trail’s published length may describe only the one-way journey.
Reserve transportation in advance. Verify shuttle pickup points, return arrangements, and bicycle requirements.
Carry the essentials. Bring a helmet, water, snacks, a charged phone, and a basic repair kit.
Share the trail. Slow down near walkers, announce your approach, and follow posted rules.
Confirm bicycle arrangements with the inn. Ask about storage before your stay rather than assuming in-room or secure storage is available.
Bike Storage at Bischoff Inn
Bringing your own bike? You don’t have to leave it on your car overnight. Bischoff Inn guests can store their bikes at the Inn while they relax after a day on the trails. Contact us before your stay to arrange bike storage, so you can settle in knowing your bicycle has a place for the night.
Plan Your Cycling Getaway at Bischoff Inn
The Junior Suite at Bischoff Inn
A cycling weekend does not have to mean the same kind of ride every day. Pair a wooded rail-trail near Tamaqua with a quiet reservoir visit, choose a short paved loop at Locust Lake, or make Lehigh Gorge the centerpiece of your trip.
With Bischoff Inn as your home, leave time for the moments between the rides: a leisurely meal, a stroll through town, and an evening with nowhere else you need to be.
Explore availability at Bischoff Inn and plan a getaway with the right balance of adventure and relaxation.