Walking Purchase-Salisbury Trails

The Salisbury trails at Walking Purchase Park in Bethlehem, PA are built and maintained by the Valley Mountain Bikers, a dedicated group of riders hard at work in the Lehigh Valley, They've done a great job here. I rode down the towpath trail from Easton, and had a good map of the trails, but not so good for getting to the trails by bike. But having braved the traffic on Main Street, I eventually found an entrance behind Reeb Millwork and was on my way.

Once on  the trails, they were a joy to ride - evidence that you can have rocks AND flow. Entirely purpose built for mountain biking, the single track flowed up and down the 400 foot hillside above the Lehigh River. Climbing beautifully executed switchbacks and descending rock faces and flowing banked turns, I had a great time. I rode 8 miles of the 10 miles, and wished there was more. Took Girly Man and Boulder bypass around the aptly-named Boulder Trail. The short SHE trail offered a sweet pair of roll over descents and berms. Also found numerous rock and log constructions, some substantial, like this one. Fun.

And of course, once on the trails, I found several other entrances suitable for bikes not on the map. One behind St. Luke's hospital, and one at the lower parking lot on Cardinal Street which seemed to offer an easy trail connection to Riverside Road near the prison, which would avoid most of the traffic for a biker.

Not enough trail to be a destination maybe, but what's here is top notch. If I lived in the area, I'd be lovin' it. If you happen near the Lehigh Valley, you should stop by for a ride.