Hike Up the Appalachian Trail at Lehigh Gap

Lehigh Gap was formed by the Lehigh River carving a large hole in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. One side is owned and operated by the Lehigh Gap Nature Center and has some great hikes, but this side is government-owned. Parking for this portion of the Appalachian Travel is up a little bumpy gravel road off Rt. 248, near the intersection at the bridge. Once you park, continue north along the grassy path for about 0.1 miles until you reach the Appalachian Trail marker on your right. Follow the white blazes all the way up. The trail is pretty steep, so take a few breaks and stay hydrated. Eventually, the trail will turn left and flatten out and give you a great view of the bridge and the valley. Now, as the trail continues heading toward the top, the rocks come into play. You'll have to scramble up a few rocks, but this is always my favorite part. Long legs are helpful, but it's not too difficult (my friend's dog can handle it). It can get a bit slippery if it has recently rained or snowed, so be careful. Once you reach the top, there are several boulder piles you can climb off-trail. These can be especially fun (and thrilling) on very windy days. Once you've taken pictures and a quick break, continue along the Appalachian Trail onto the other side of the peak. It will again flatten out and the ground will change from rocks to solid dirt and grass again. Walk for about a quarter mile, past a fenced in area on your right. Then, you will reach a sign on your left with a blue blaze that marks the Winter Trail. Follow this winding trail of switchbacks through the forest down the other side of the mountain until you reach the bottom. Turn left, and follow the road and the river below you back to the parking area. There's even a shoe cleaner for you to clean off your hiking boots!