Begin Main Content Area

Hiking at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center

19 miles of trails

The network of trails makes the center’s fields, woodlands, and streams accessible to both students and the casual visitor. Non-hunters are encouraged to wear blaze orange during hunting seasons.

Jacobsburg Trail Map (PDF)

Trail Definitions

Difficulty Ratings

Easiest -- For beginner trail users. Grade is gentle with few obstacles. 
More Difficult -- For the majority of trail users. Grade is steeper and trails narrower with embedded rocks or roots on the trail surface. 
Most Difficult -- For trail users with advanced skills. Grade is steep and provides a definite physical challenge. Routes may not be well marked. Elevation gain or loss is severe. 

Trail Route Type

Loop -- Start and end at the same location and follow a single trail to form a loop.
Out-and-back -- Start and end at a trailhead and follow a single trail to an endpoint or specific point of interest, then return along the same route. 
Point-to-point -- Trails are generally longer in distance and parks may often contain only a portion of the trail within their boundary. Hiker starts and ends in different locations, often requiring a shuttle. 
Connector -- Begin and end in connection with another trail or trails but do not terminate at a trailhead. 

Bushkill Township Trail

0.36 mile in the park, 2.0 miles total  |  Easiest hiking  |  Out-and-back trail  |  No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none

The Bushkill Township Trail briefly connects with Jacobsburg EE Center and runs north from Belfast Road to Rt. 512 in Wind Gap. This section is part of the larger Lehigh Valley Trail Network called THE LINK, and will eventually continue north to the Appalachian Trail, and South out of Jacobsburg to Easton as part of the Two Rivers Trail.

Explorer Trail

1.22 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  Red/green blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none

The Explorer Trail is a single track dirt trail that runs over the hilltop and connects to the Sobers Run Loop trail in two locations.  

Henry Woods Trail

1.9 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, benches

This is the most popular trail at Jacobsburg. The trail takes hikers through remnant old growth forest along the Bushkill creek. Half the loop is easy and wide, the second half of the loop is narrow along a steep slope and brings hikers above the Bushkill Creek.  

Homestead Trail

4.77 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water

Homestead Trail is a series of interconnected loops accessible from a number of trailhead/parking locations. The trail is primarily wide with rolling hills and is highlighted by the warm season grass and wildflower fields. Restrooms, and drinking water available only at the visitor center trailhead.

Jacobsburg Trail

3.3 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water

This trail of interconnected loops brings visitors through secondary forest and connects Henry's Woods to the remains of the village of Jacobsburg off of State Park Road. Trailheads at State Park Road, the Main parking lot on Belfast Rd, and at the Boulton parking lot on Henry Rd.

Sobers Run Connector Trail

0.92 mile  |  More difficult hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Yellow/green blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none

The Sobers Run Connector trail connects the Jacobsburg Loop Trails to the Sobers Run section of the Park. It can be accessed from the State Park Road parking lot and the Old Office Parking Lot. The trail features some steep rugged slopes, and a vernal pool which provides the sounds of frogs in early spring.

Sobers Run Loop Trails

3.81 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Green blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms

This a series of interconnected loop trails which can be accessed from multiple trailheads including the equestrian parking area which hosts a non-flush restroom. A one mile portion of this trail runs along an old rail bed and is flat and easy. Another portion of the trail runs along the sobers run creek and features a water crossing for horses connecting to the Sobers Run Trail.

Sobers Run Trail

2.27 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Connector trail  |  White blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none

The Sobers Run Trail is primarily single tract that runs along the north side of the Sobers Run.  It can serve as a looping trail, but can be used to connect to the Sobers Run Loop Trail. Not recommended for strollers, and actively used by Mtn. Bikes and Equestrians.