Bucks County… Discover our Natural Beauty,
Rich History and Small-town Allure
It’s right here,
the very spot where George Washington and his troops began their crossing of
the icy Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776.
Today, you can take the best seat to explore the Washington Crossing
Historic Park… on a bicycle! Of
course, a bike is the perfect way to explore all of Bucks County.
Hop on your bike to revisit our history… to tour our countryside…
and to discover our country charms… all while you exercise!
With this helpful
little guide and the right equipment, you can take in the many historic,
scenic and cultural highlights of beautiful Bucks County.
The possibilities are endless! Pedal
to one of our year ‘round festivals, bike to one of our many wineries or
just take a leisurely ride along the Delaware Canal Towpath.
Combine your bike tour with walking. hiking, tubing, canoeing or
kayaking to take advantage of even more spectacular Bucks County beauty.
So go ahead, grab
your bike and set out for Bucks County’s convivial country roads.
And feel free to take your time, as there’s plenty to do when
biking in Bucks County. Stop
for lunch at a local inn, hunt for treasures in a quaint antiques shop or
pause at a covered bridge simply to enjoy the view.
Bike through Bucks County and experience the splendor of our history,
the beauty of our nature and the warmth of our small towns.
Biking Guide
** Thanks to Catherine D. Kerr
for recommending many of the following Bucks County rides, walks and hikes.
More information can be found in
her books and on the Web at www.freewheelingpress.com
**
Core Creek Park Ride
901 E. Bridgetown Pike
Langhorne, PA 19047
215-757-0571
Approximate Distance: 5 miles
Terrain: Easy – paved bike
path
The Core Creek Park Ride provides an excellent opportunity
to discover and enjoy the surroundings of Lake Luxembourg.
Walkers, joggers, in-line skaters and cyclists alike share the paved
path. Ample parking makes for a
simple outing when riding at Core Creek.
Call
Bucks County Park & Recreation for more information.
Tyler State
Park Ride
101 Swamp Road
Newtown, PA 18940
215-968-2021
Approximate Distance: 10.5 miles
Terrain: Varied – paved bike paths
The bike paths are hilly for the most part and reveal much
of what Bucks County is known for; rolling hills, open fields and stone
farmhouses. Many folks look for
the Covered Bridge Trail, which leads cyclists to the newly restored
Schofield Covered Bridge. Again,
parking is not a problem. Call for more information.
Doylestown Ride
Central Park
425 Wells Road
Doylestown, PA 18901
Approximate Distance: 16.3 miles
Terrain: Moderate – roadways
Central Park, home to Kids’ Castle, is a great place to
start this ride. From there,
travel through the beautiful Delaware Valley College campus enroute to
historic Doylestown. Lower
State Rd. is probably your safest bet for the ride into Doylestown, which is
a quick one from the Delaware Valley College campus.
Once there, you should find the enticing, small-town roads of
Doylestown to be rather accommodating to bicyclists.
In Doylestown, one can peruse a variety of one-of-a-kind shops, enjoy
a sandwich at one of many fine eateries and get a feel for true hometown
ambiance.
Lake Towhee
Old Bethlehem Road
Applebachsville, PA 18951
215-757-0571
Approximate Distance:
1-4 miles
Terrain: Moderate
– no paved path
Of the multi-purpose variety, this 552-acre park complete
with playground, picnicking, hiking, ball fields, horseback riding trails,
biking, boating, fishing, camping facilities, ice skating, nature area and
50-acre lake has much to offer.
Peace Valley Park Ride
230 Creek RoadNew Britain, PA 18914
215-345-7860
Approximate Distance: 6.3 mile
Terrain: Easy – paved bike path
Lake Galena, the scenic centerpiece to Peace Valley Park,
offers cyclists a wonderful glimpse of Bucks County countryside.
Of particular interest to fall foliage seekers, Peace Valley Park is
a bustling outdoor arena with enough room to prevent clutter and ease
traffic of all sorts from walkers to cyclists.
Water, trees and rolling hillsides
create an all-in-one package that may make Peace Valley just the
ride you have been looking for.
Nockamixon State Park
1542 Mountain View Drive
Quakertown, PA 18951
215-529-7300
Approximate Distance: 2.8 miles
Terrain: Moderate – bike path
Nockamixon State Park, home to Bucks County’s largest
lake, provides a wonderful outdoor escape for bicycle enthusiasts and
novices alike. Enjoy the
tree-lined bike path, wildlife and peaceful surroundings that Nockamixon has
to offer. Pack a picnic-style lunch to keep
yourself going and spend the entire day.
Ringing Rocks Park Ride
Ringing Rocks Road
Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972
215-757-0571
Approximate Distance: 5-6 miles
Terrain: Moderate – roadways/trails/go your own way
Riding at Ringing Rocks makes for an interesting trip.
The name is derived from a boulder field containing rocks that
actually ring when struck. Ringing
Rocks Park is home to Bucks County's largest waterfall and provides the
perfect backdrop for a picnic. Riding
through Ringing Rocks is an adventure that is unique, as there are few
actual trails. This is more than likely a good destination for mountain
bikers looking to blaze their own trails and take to the woods unguided.
Washington Crossing Historic Park Ride
1112 River Road
Washington Crossing, PA 18977
215-493-4076
Approximate Distance: 3-4 miles
Terrain: Paved
Use your bike to
explore the site where on Christmas night in 1776, George Washington and the
Continental Army crossed the icy Delaware River. The 19th century village of Taylorsville, also
part of this historic park, lends visitors a glimpse of the Bucks County of
yesterday. Also, make sure to
visit the Van Sant Covered Bridge. All
in all, Washington Crossing Historic Park provides a scenic backdrop to yet
another enjoyable Bucks County ride.
Delaware Canal State
Park (map)
11 Lodi Hill Road
Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972
610-982-5560
Approximate Distance: 30+
miles
Terrain: Easy – flat
surface
A National Historic Landmark, this park follows the
60-mile course of the Delaware Canal and provides convenient access to the
canal’s bicycle/walking path. The
Canal offers a 30-mile hard-packed gravel path excellent forbiking and
walking that stretches from Morrisville, PA to Uhlerstown, PA.The D&R
Canal towpath ride, located on the New Jersey side of the river,offers a
gravel path stretching from Trenton, NJ to Frenchtown, NJ.
Tinicum
Park
(map)
River Road
Erwinna, PA
18920
215-757-0571
Approximate Distance:
60
miles
Terrain: Easy – flat surface
Tinicum is an excellent place to park and connect with
the 60-mile path that stretches along the Delaware Canal. In addition, other day activities at this 126-acre park
include playgrounds, picnicking, hiking, ball fields, boating, fishing,
ice-skating and disk golfing at a regulation disk golf course.
Take a Covered Bridge
Tour… (map)
Enjoy a
bicycle ride over quiet, tree-lined country roads where you’ll see
several historic covered bridges.
(R-right
turn; L-left turn; S-straight; X-cross intersection)
Mile
Turn
Location
0
R
River Rd.
0.4
R
Headquarters Rd
0.7
L
Headquarters Rd.
Erwinna Covered Bridge
(0.2 miles on Geigel Hill Rd.,
be sure to u-turn if you visit)
5.3
L
Red Hill Rd.
5.9
R
Frankenfield Rd.
7.2
R
Oak Grove Rd.
7.3
R
Durham Rd.
8.6
L
Creamery Rd. (at Geigel Hill Rd.)
9.3
L
Creamery Rd. (at Park Rd.)
9.7
R
Sweet Briar Rd.
11.5
L
Sweet Briar Rd. (at Fairview Rd.)
11.8
R
Sweet Briar Rd. (at Perry Rd.)
12.2
L
Kellers Church Rd.
13.0
L
Fretz Valley Rd.
14.3
R
Deer Run Rd.
15.7
R
Rte. 113 (turn L for 7 mile short cut)
16.1
L
Spruce Hill Rd.
16.4
R
Fatima Ln.
16.9
L
Rolling Hills Rd.
18.3
L
Deep Run Rd.
18.4
X
Rte. 611
18.6
L
Old Easton Rd.
18.8
S
Dark Hollow Rd.
19.1
R
Carversville Rd.
19.6
Loux Covered Bridge
20.6
L
Stump Rd.
21.0
L
Schlentz Hill Rd.
21.9
Cabin Run Covered Bridge
22.5
S
Dark Hollow Rd.
23.1
L
Ervin Rd.
24.2
R
Hollow Horn Rd.
24.9
R
Hollow Horn Rd./Red Hill Rd.
27.0
Frankenfield Covered Bridge
27.4
R
Hollow Horn Rd.
28.6
R
Headquarters Rd.
28.7
R
Tinicum Creek
29.5
L
River Rd. (Rte. 32)
31.0
L
Tinicum Park
32.0
L
Just north of Tinicum Park on River Rd. is
Uhlerstown Covered Bridge
1. Erwinna Covered Bridge
Although
the National Historic Register lists the date built as 1871, county
records suggest this bridge was built in 1832. The Erwinna
Covered Bridge is a good example of lattice-type construction and is
Bucks County's shortest covered bridge. It crosses Lodi Creek.
Location: Geigel Hill Rd. Tinicum
Twp.
Height limit: 11
ft. Length: 56 ft.
Width: 15
ft. Weight limit: 29
tons
2. Loux Covered
Bridge
Built of Hemlock in 1874, this bridge is
nestled in a scenic valley. You'll find this bridge is one of
two bridges that span the Cabin Run Creek.
Location: Wismer
Rd. Plumstead Twp.
Height limit: 11
ft. Length: 60 ft.
Width: 15
ft. Weight limit: 15
tons
3. Cabin Run Covered
Bridge
Built in 1871 this bridge crosses the Cabin
Run Creek and is located a short distance downstream from the Loux
Covered Bridge.
Location: Covered Bridge
Rd. Plumstead Twp.
Height limit: 11 ft. 10
in. Length: 82 ft.
Width: 15
ft. Weight limit: 3
tons
4. Frankenfield Covered
Bridge
Built in 1872, the Frankenfield Covered
Bridge crosses Tinicum Creek only two miles upstream from where the
creek flows into the Delaware River. This bridge is one of the
longest covered bridges in the county.
Location: Hollow Horn
& Cafferty Rds. Tinicum Twp.
Height limit: 11 ft.
3 in. Length: 130 ft.
Width: 12
ft. Weight limit:
none
5. Uhlerstown Covered
Bridge
Built in 1832, this bridge is built of oak
and has windows on both sides. It is the only covered bridge
that crosses the Delaware Canal.
Location: Uhlerstown
Rd. Tinicum Twp.
Height limit: 11 ft. 3
in. Length: 101 ft.
Width: 15
ft. Weight limit:
none
7 Cycling Rules of the
Road
1. Ride on the right side of the road and use a
bike lane wherever one is provided.
2. Stop at ALL stop signs and
obey all traffic lights as if you were operating an
automobile. If walking your bike across a street, observe the
"Walk" and "Don't Walk" signs.
3. Use hand signals to let others
know which way you're turning.
4. Look both ways at corners and
even if there is no stop sign, slow down and look. Drivers
don't always notice bikers, which makes it your responsibility to
always notice them for safety's sake. Use these same
precautions when leaving a driveway.
5. Always wear a
helmet. It's good advice for adults and it's the law for
children under age 12 in Pennsylvania and under age 14 in New
Jersey.
6. Know how far you're going. Plan ahead and
determine the distance of your ride. Be prepared with your
map, sunscreen, money for a snack and anything else to make for a
comfortable ride.
7.
Always carry water!!! Drink before you get thirsty. Try
to drink 8 ounces of water before and after you
ride.
Walking/Hiking
Alternatives
1. Bowman's Hill Wildflower
Preserve
1635 River Rd. (Rte. 32)
PO Box 685
New
Hope, PA 18938
215-862-2924
Located only
2.5 miles south of the town of New Hope, this wildflower preserve,
established in 1934, features woods, meadows, a small pond and
Pidcock Creek. The wildflowers, ferns, vines, shrubs and trees
are displayed in naturalistic settings along an extensive trail
system. Exhibits are located in the Visitor
Center.
2. Bucks County Audubon
Society
2877 Creamery Rd.
New Hope, PA
18938
215-297-5880
BCAS
operates the Honey Hollow Environmental Education Center, a private,
non-profit organization offering trips and programs to the community
and schools. Hiking trails bordered by streams, ponds and
woods are open to the public. Visit the bird blind, natural
history exhibits and on-site nature shop.
3. Churchville Nature
Center
501 Churchville Ln.
Churchville, PA
18966
215-357-4005
All ages can
enjoy the nature trails, picnicking and wildlife garden. The
Nature Center building offers exhibits and a small gift shop.
Group tours are available and the Center is open from sunrise to
sunset.
4. Delhaas Woods
Bristol
Twp.
Bristol, PA 19007
215-785-1177
Managed as part of
Silver Lake Nature Center, this 170-acre park has several miles of
walking trails passing through rare PA habitats and plant
species.
5. Five
Mile Woods
1305 Big Oak Rd.
Lower
Makefield
215-493-3646
Enjoy an
easy walk through this 285-acre nature preserve located in Lower
Bucks County. Trails are heavily wooded and a tree canopy
provides a nice escape from direct sunlight on hot summer
days. The terrain is level with a few gentle slopes and very
accommodating to all sorts of walkers.
6. Fonthill Park
130 Swamp
Rd.
Doylestown, PA 18901
215-345-6722
Picnicking
and hiking are available in this 10-acre park that wraps around the
historic sites of the Mercer Home (Fonthill) and the Moravian
Pottery and Tile Works. Open sunrise to
sunset.
7. Delaware Canal
Parallels
Delaware River; Easton to Bristol
610-982-5560
The trail along the Delaware Canal is made up of
hard-packed fine stone and is level for the entire stretch.
Good places to get started are the Virginia Forrest Recreation Area,
Tinicum Park or Washington Crossing Historic Park, as they provide
adequate parking facilities. Stop for a break in any of the
towns from Frenchtown, NJ to Yardley, PA to grab a refreshment or
two.
8. East Rockhill Walking
Path
Ridge Rd. (Rte. 32) between the East Rockhill
municipal building and the Pennridge Airport near
Perkasie
215-257-9156
Simplicity is the hallmark of this wide and
rather level 1.2-mile walking path. There's a playground for
the kids on the premises as well, with a picnic pavilion for
snacking, lunching or just relaxing.
9. Doylestown,
Pa
215-345-4552
Just labeled by the National Trust for Historic
Preservation as one of only a dozen distinctive destinations
throughout the United States, Doylestown offers that small town
charm that Bucks County is known for. Peruse a variety of
one-of-a-kind shops, grab lunch at one of many quaint eateries and
enjoy the historical allure of Bucks County's county
seat.
10. New Hope,
Pa
215-345-4552
New
Hope, one of AmericanStyle magazine's Top 25 Arts Destinations in
the United States, offers a unique haven for those intrigued by the
arts, antiques and fine food. Browse Main Street, admiring
this small town's eclectic array of locally owned shops, and get
your exercise amidst casual
sophistication.
11. Playwicki Park
Route 213
Middletown, PA 19047
215-757-0571
Located
along the Neshaminy Creek, this 33-acre location offers playgrounds,
picnicking, hiking, ball fields and fishing. Park is open from
sunrise to sunset.
12. Oxford Valley
Park
Hood Blvd. & Oxford Valley Rd.
Oxford
Valley, PA 19047
215-757-0571
Visit this
park for 225 acres of hiking, fishing, ice skating, golfing ($) and
swimming. Open sunrise to sunset.
13. Ringing Rocks
Park
Ringing Rocks Rd.
Upper Black Eddy, PA
18972
215-757-0571
Perhaps
better suited for walkers than bicyclists, Ringing Rocks Park is
open for exploration. Saunter about outdoors for an experience
that promises to remain as unique as the park itself. Enjoy
the wooded trails and exploring nature at your own pace, on your own
terms.
14. Silver Lake Nature
Center
1306 Bath Rd.
Bristol, PA
19007
215-785-1177
393 acres of
playgrounds, picnicking, hiking, ball fields, boating, fishing and
ice- skating. The nature center includes trails, museum with gift
shop, amphitheatre and butterfly garden. Programs for the public
available and groups are accepted by appointment.
15. Yardley, Pa
Yardley Historical
Association
215-493-9883
Located on the shores of Lake Afton, the Yardley
Historical Association is a great place to begin your walk through
this small town. With little in the way of large tourist
attractions, Yardley is simply a nice, quiet little town worthy of a
day's walk. If you're looking for a taste of country coupled
with wonderful countryside, Yardley will surely be one of your
favorite Bucks County stops.
16. Ralph Stover State
Park
6011 State Park Rd.
Pipersville, PA
18947
610-982-5560
Visit 45
acres of hiking pleasure at this park along Tohickon Creek adjoining
Tohickon Valley County Park. Fishing, hiking, canoeing and
picnicking are just a few of the activities made easy by Ralph
Stover State Park. The park is open sunrise to
sunset.
17. Tohickon Valley – Ralph
Stover
Cafferty Road
Point Pleasant, PA
18947
215-757-0571
Approximate Distance:
3+
miles
Terrain: Best
suited for walking or hiking. (not mountain-biking)
Bike from Tohickon Valley to Ralph Stover and enjoy the
many wooded trails located in between.
Tohickon offers playgrounds, picnicking, hiking, ball fields, fishing
(trout stocked annually) and swimming pool in season. State Park Overnight accommodations include group and family
camping and cabins with 22 available campsites. Park is open from sunrise to
sunset.
18 Neshaminy State Park
3401 State Road
Bensalem, PA
19020
215-639-4538
Approximate Distance:
4
miles
Terrain: Roughly
4 miles of unpaved walking trails
Stretching along the Delaware River, this 330-acre park
includes four miles of trails for your pleasure. Picnic
benches, grills, a children’s playground, a pavilion, a swimming
pool, boat moorings and launch ramps also add to the available
amenities of this state park.
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