While the sections of the Delaware & Lehigh (D&L) National Heritage Trail surrounding Jim Thorpe draw visitors from across the region, local residents know that heading just three miles south to Weissport Canal Park offers a quieter, equally breathtaking trail experience.
Tucked along the serene Lehigh River in Carbon County, the Weissport stretch of the D&L Trail provides miles of flat, smooth crushed-limestone towpath — perfect for peaceful morning walks, gravel biking, birdwatching, and family outings without the bustle of downtown crowds.
“Walking the historic towpath at Weissport Canal, you are stepping directly in the footsteps of the mule drivers who guided coal barges along the Lehigh Canal nearly two centuries ago.”
18th-Century Origins: Benjamin Franklin & Fort Allen
Weissport holds a fascinating place in early American history. In 1756, during the French and Indian War, Benjamin Franklin traveled to this exact bend in the Lehigh River to supervise the construction of Fort Allen — a frontier wooden stockade built to protect early settlers.
Today, a historic stone marker in Weissport’s central town park commemorates Franklin’s fort site, adding a rich layer of Colonial history to your morning trail walk.
1829 Canal Heritage Along the Towpath
In 1829, industrialists Josiah White and Erskine Hazard completed the Lehigh Canal, connecting the coal fields of Mauch Chunk to Philadelphia markets.
As you follow the crushed-stone towpath in Weissport, you’ll pass remarkably intact 19th-century canal structures:
- Lock 28 Ruins: Preserved stone masonry from the original timber-and-granite canal locks.
- The Waterway & Basin: Slow-moving, reflective canal waters that now serve as a sanctuary for local wildlife.
- Historic Lock Houses: Restored stone structures that once housed canal lock tenders and their families.
A Peaceful, Accessible Trail Alternative
Unlike the rugged, elevated mountain terrain found deeper inside Lehigh Gorge State Park, the Weissport Canal section is completely flat and impeccably maintained by the D&L Trail Alliance.
It is an ideal destination for:
- Biking & Cycling: Smooth, flat riding conditions for cruisers, road bikes, and e-bikes.
- Wildlife Watching: Home to great blue herons, wood ducks, painted turtles, river otters, and bald eagles nesting along the riverbank.
- Paddling & Kayaking: Easy river access points for launching kayaks and canoes into the Lehigh River.
Essential Visitor Tips
- Trailhead Location: Park at Weissport Canal Park (Bridge Street & Franklin Street, Weissport, PA). The park features free parking, picnic pavilions, and public restrooms.
- Trail Connections: Heading north along the D&L Trail takes you directly into downtown Mauch Chunk (approx. 3.5 miles). Heading south leads toward Slatington and the Lehigh Valley.
- Explore Nearby: After your trail walk, head over to neighboring Lehighton to catch a retro 35mm movie at The Mahoning Drive-In Theater.