D&L Trail (Lehigh Gorge): 26 Miles Downhill

It is the most famous bike ride in the Poconos. You park in Jim Thorpe, catch a shuttle to White Haven, and coast 26 miles downhill along the Lehigh River back to your car. On a calm fall day it feels like gravity is doing most of the work.

Here is what the brochures skip: the wind in the gorge usually blows north.

That means while gravity is pulling you downhill, the wind is often pushing back. The net effect on a gusty October Saturday is a ride that feels less like a coast and more like moderate pedaling the entire way.

It is not a dealbreaker. The gorge is still one of the most scenic rail-trail corridors in Pennsylvania and it resets expectations in a way that makes the actual experience better. Show up with an open mind.

Key Takeaways

• Navigation: Park at the municipal lot at 1 Susquehanna Street in Jim Thorpe (Google Maps | Apple Maps). Shuttles to White Haven are mandatory for the one-way ride.
• Grade & Wind: While technically a 2% downhill grade, strong northerly winds often make it feel like moderate pedaling.
• Tire Choice: Use hybrids or gravel bikes with 28mm+ tires. Standard road bikes will struggle on the crushed stone surface.
• Water & Supplies: Zero facilities exist within the 26-mile gorge stretch. Bring at least 2L of water and necessary snacks.

This 26-mile section of the D&L Trail runs entirely through Lehigh Gorge State Park, following an old railroad grade along the Lehigh River.

The route is wide, well-marked, and impossible to get lost on. The major decision points are the shuttle logistics and where to park.

The Route: White Haven to Jim Thorpe

Mile 0: White Haven (The Start)

The shuttle drops you at the White Haven trailhead at Mile Marker 130. There are bathrooms and a grocery store nearby.

From White Haven, you head south into the gorge. A dense tree canopy closes over the trail within the first half mile. This is why people call this stretch the Green Tunnel. In fall, the canopy opens and the gorge walls are visible for the first time.

Mile 11: Rockport (The Middle)

Roughly halfway down you hit the Rockport Access area (Mile Marker 119). Two waterfalls cluster near this section:

• Buttermilk Falls. This is visible from the trail to the right and drops about 40 feet. You will hear it before you see it.
• Luke’s Falls. This is nearby and partially hidden by foliage in summer. It is clearer in fall and winter.

Pit toilets are here if you need them. The parking lot at Rockport is small and rangers patrol regularly on weekends. Do not plan to park here as a meeting point for a split-car logistics plan.

Mile 21: Glen Onoko (The History)

As you approach Jim Thorpe, you pass the Glen Onoko access area.

Turn Hole Tunnel: This is an abandoned railroad tunnel cut directly through the gorge wall. The archway is massive. Walk inside for a moment. It is worth the two-minute stop and it photographs well.

Glen Onoko Falls Trail is permanently closed. The hiking trail up to the Glen Onoko waterfall series was closed by DCNR due to severe erosion and a string of serious injuries going back years. Do not attempt to hike it. The D&L trail through this section is open. The falls trail branching off it is not.

Mile 26: Jim Thorpe (The Finish)

The trail ends in downtown Jim Thorpe. You cross the Mansion House Bridge and roll into the parking area where your car is waiting. Check the current status of the bridge before your ride. It has faced closures for repairs.

Jim Thorpe itself merits time after the ride. It is a Victorian coal-era town built on a steep hillside above the Lehigh, with an intact historic downtown that functions as an outdoor activity hub for the Lehigh Valley region.

Good food, a legitimate main street, and the Hickory Run State Park Boulder Field is 20 minutes north if you want to add a geological stop to the day.

Shuttle Logistics

Unless you want to ride 52 miles, you need a shuttle. The round trip involves 26 miles down and 26 back against the grade.

Option 1: Commercial Shuttle (What Most People Do)

1. Park in Jim Thorpe.
2. Book a shuttle to White Haven in advance.
3. Ride back.

Shuttle providers:

• Pocono Bike Rental. Departures from Jim Thorpe happen every two hours on weekends. Prices are between $20 and $25 per person. Reservations are required.

• Lehighton Outdoor Center: Daily shuttles. Call ahead: 610-377-1230. $24 per person.

• Blue Mountain Sports: 15-mile shuttle option for $20 plus tax. This is a good option if you want to start from Rockport.

Reservations sell out on fall weekends. Book before you leave home. E-bikes may incur an additional fee or be restricted depending on the provider. Confirm the details in advance.

Option 2: Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Bike Train (Weekends Only, Selective Dates)

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway runs a Bike Train on select weekend dates. You board in Jim Thorpe with your bike, take a one-hour scenic train ride up the gorge, and ride back down. More relaxed than a bus shuttle and good for families.

The schedule is limited and advance booking is required. Check their site for current operating dates before planning around it.

Option 3: Two-Car DIY

1. Drop Car A in Jim Thorpe.
2. Drive Car B with bikes to White Haven.
3. Ride down.
4. Drive Car A back to White Haven for Car B.

Verdict: it is a hassle. Just pay for the shuttle.

Bike Rentals

No bike? Pocono Bike Rental, Lehighton Outdoor Center, and Blue Mountain Sports all rent in Jim Thorpe and White Haven. Hybrids cost between $30 and $50 per day. E-bikes are $40 to $60.

The crushed stone surface runs fast. Hybrid or gravel tires (28mm or wider) are the right call. Road tires under 28mm sink and slide.

Parking

Jim Thorpe (South End: Start/Finish)

• Municipal lot at the train station: Convenient. Prices range from $10 to $15 per day. It fills by 9:30 AM on October weekends.
• Glen Onoko Access: Free, but the lot is small. It fills by 9 AM on busy weekends.

White Haven (North End)

• Ample free parking under the I-80 bridge and near the grocery store. No issues.

Rockport (Middle)

• Small lot. Do not plan around it on weekends. Ranger patrols ticket illegal parking here reliably.

Safety and Warnings

Cell service. There is effectively zero cell service in the gorge between White Haven and Jim Thorpe. Download offline maps before you leave. Bring a repair kit. You cannot call for help at Mile 15 if you flatted.

Bridge status. The Mansion House Bridge connecting the trail to downtown Jim Thorpe has faced closures for repairs. Check D&L Trail alerts before your ride. If closed, the detour adds road miles.

Ticks. The wooded gorge trail has tick activity from April through October. Check after the ride, especially if you stopped in the vegetation alongside the trail. Long socks help.

Hunting season: The trail cuts through State Game Lands. From October through January, including archery and rifle seasons, wear blaze orange. A vest or helmet cover is the minimum.

This applies to hikers and is smart for cyclists too. Blaze orange is not optional during this time.

Best Time to Ride

Fall (mid-September through mid-October): The best single window. The gorge canopy opens as leaves drop, exposing the cliff walls and river you ride past without seeing all summer. Foliage peaks around the second week of October in most years.

Parking fills fast. Arrive early.

Spring (April through May): Waterfalls at Rockport are running hard from snowmelt. Weather is cooler and more variable. Fewer crowds than fall.

Mud possible in sections after heavy rain. Tick season begins.

Summer (June through August): Hot in the gorge. The Green Tunnel effect means no breeze and trapped humidity on calm days. Parking in Jim Thorpe sells out earlier.

The ride is still good, but the experience is sweatier. Go early.

Winter: The trail stays open but sections can ice. No shuttle services in winter. You would need a two-car setup. It is worth it for hikers on cold clear days when the gorge is empty.

What to Bring

• Repair kit: Bring two spare tubes, a patch kit, and a pump. Glass and debris can cause flats.
• Offline maps: Download these before you enter the gorge. There is no cell signal.
• Extra layer: The gorge runs cooler than the surrounding area.
• Blaze orange: Required from October through January.
• Food and water: Bring enough for the full 26 miles. The Rockport stop has pit toilets but no food or water.

FAQ

Do I need a mountain bike? No. A front-suspension hybrid is the standard rental and handles the crushed stone well. A gravel bike is faster.

Mountain bikes work. Road bikes with tires under 28mm will have trouble with the surface.

Is it good for kids? Yes, with consideration for the distance. 26 miles is significant even on a downhill grade. The 15-mile version from Rockport to Jim Thorpe, available with a shorter shuttle, is more realistic for younger riders.

Are there bathrooms on the route? Yes. White Haven, Rockport, and Glen Onoko all have facilities.

Can I swim in the Lehigh River? The Lehigh runs active whitewater through the gorge. Swimming is generally discouraged and dangerous in the rapids sections.

Most riders complete the 26 miles in 3 to 4 hours. This includes stops. The grade is gentle enough that fitness is rarely the limiting factor. Wind is more likely to extend your time than your legs.

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The D&L through Lehigh Gorge is the best single-day bike ride in the Poconos region. If you are building a full weekend around Jim Thorpe, the Hickory Run Boulder Field is 20 minutes north and pairs well as a Saturday-morning geological stop before the afternoon ride.

The Lehigh Gorge State Park park guide covers the hiking options within the gorge if you are traveling with non-cyclists.