The Lehigh and New England Trail is a roughly 2.7-mile walking and biking path just south of Tamaqua, following a section of the former Lehigh and New England Railroad corridor. Its mostly level, crushed-stone surface offers a gentler alternative to the region’s steeper mountain hikes, while a leafy tree canopy provides shade and a wooded setting alongside Route 309. It is a convenient option for Bischoff Inn guests looking for a morning walk, a run, or a leisurely bicycle ride close to town.
Local history adds interest along the way, with interpretive signage at the Dairy Road trailhead and the remains of the Shellhamer Ice Dam—a former recreation and entertainment complex—near the trail’s midpoint. Enjoy a short out-and-back outing or explore the full route, allowing time to pause and take in the surroundings. Although much of the trail follows an easy railroad grade, road crossings include short, steep approaches that require care, particularly at Owl Creek Road.
1 mile from Bischoff Inn
Starts south of downtown Tamaqua on the 309 northbound lane side