Best Running Trails in the Northern Lehigh Valley

Depending on the type of run you're in the mood for, different running trails can offer different things. The various railroad and canal paths in the northern Lehigh Valley have made for a great variety of running trails in the region. From the days you're looking for a difficult hill workout, to the runs that need to be a part of a recovery day, here's a guide to the best running trails in the northern Lehigh Valley.

Best Hill Workout Running Trail- The trails at the Mary Immaculate Center- The trails behind this Lehigh Township monastery provide for a beautiful wooded run. As a running trail, this path includes a leg-burning incline that typically takes seven to ten minutes to complete depending on the runner's level of experience. This running trail also includes an incredibly exhilarating downhill stride just prior to the main incline. The Mary Immaculate Center is located on Cherryville Road in Lehigh Township and although this is private property, permission to use the running trails can be obtained by contacting the monastery directly.

Most Accessible Winter Running Trail- The Ironton Rail Trail- The Ironton Rail Trail in Whitehall provides a 5.3 mile predominantly paved loop. The main loop has slight rolling hills, but nothing of substance. There is also a 2.5 mile unpaved offshoot to the running trail just before the half-mile marker. The Whitehall Township consistently plows the main running trail throughout the winter making this the most accessible winter running trail in the northern Lehigh Valley. The Ironton Rail Trail is located just off of Route 145 near the Sheetz gas station.

Easiest Running Trail to See on at Night- The Northampton River Walk- This paved trail leaves much to be desired for the active runner, but for the athlete who trains at night, this mile-long running trail provides a well-lit flat path to get in a quick workout. Also, when the boredom of running back and forth sets in, the Northampton River Walk can be combined with various sidewalk combinations to provide a safe semi-urban running trail at night. The Northampton River Walk can be accessed along the Lehigh River in the borough of Northampton.

Best Running Trail to Push a Stroller- Slatington Rail Trail- As you cross the bridge from Walnutport into Slatington, there is an old rail trail covered in crushed stone on the right hand side of Main Street that serves as a great running trail for anyone pushing a baby jogger. The crushed stone is firm enough for the wheels to roll easily and the running trail is so flat that you can push a stroller with ease. Also, running alongside a river and passing by an airport, this running trail provides some great scenery for the child in the baby jogger.

Nicest Recovery Running Trail-Nor-Bath Trail- Another old rail trail, this running trail was in the running for "Best Running Trail to Push a Stroller," but it was simply edged out because of the number of streets that need to be crossed while running on this crushed stone trail. The flatness of this running trail along with the softness of its surface make it great for a recovery run, but the feature that made this trail slightly more appealing than others is that it has mileage markers every half mile that help you monitor your pace. This trail can be accessed from Airport Road in Bath, Bi-Centennial Park in Allen Township, or through the borough of Northampton.

Most Scenic Running Trail- The Appalachian Trail- Accessible from the top of Blue Mountain Drive in Walnutport, the Appalachian Trail starts out with an incredibly difficult incline. The only factor that kept this trail from being selected for "Best Hill Workout Running Trail" is the fact that the footing on the incline is so poor that you spend the entire incline worrying about wear to place your feet as opposed to working the hill. Once you get to the top on the incline, however, the mountain opens up and the view from the top is simply majestic. Though incline is not fun on the way up or down, it's worth it to run along the top of the mountain.

Best River Running Trail- The Walnutport Canal Towpath- Just off of Main Street in Walnutport, the Walnutport Canal Towpath provides the best river running trail in the northern Lehigh Valley. A flat, soft surface nestled between the Lehigh River and the Walnutport Canal, this running trail has a few different paths through the woods that allow you to create your own loops and provide for a change of scenery. Were in not for some areas of poor footing, the Walnutport Canal Towpath may have also been the "Nicest Recovery Running Trail."