Poconos Retreat

If we’re talking about biking the Poconos, then we need to be talking about Poconos Biking. The rides on this trip are best done with a trailhead drop-off. These folks are beyond great and will have you covered with whatever logistics you need, including rental bikes if you don’t want to schlep your own out of the City. 

They also organize whitewater rafting trips in the area and a four-day bike tour that runs the entire 140+ mile length of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. You could just as well do it yourself by tying this trip together with parts of Day 1 and Day 2 of Philly or Bust and Delaware River Run, but you’d still need a car drop-off in Glen Summit.

Day 1: Glen Summit >> Jim Thorpe

Arrive the day before. You’ll want to start Day 1 bright and early, so best to arrive some time the day before. 

Get breakfast at Muggles' Mug. The cappuccinos are creamy and the baked goods are warm. What more could you ask for?

Enjoy the ride! Pocono Biking will drop you at the trailhead in Glen Summit and from then on just relish it as you coast down to Jim Thorpe. There aren’t a lot of specific stops to call out along the way, the natural scenery of the whole thing is really the main event. The beauty of riding the Lehigh Gorge is, after all, the beauty of the Lehigh Gorge. 

Eat in White Haven. It’s the only option unless you pack your own food. Take your pick between White Haven Family Diner, Renee's Cold Cut Hut, or Antonio’s Pizza for exactly what you expect it to be. Snap a bike selfie of the yellow Union Pacific caboose (see lead photo for this trip above) before you continue onward.  

Snap some shots. A few photo ops to call out along the way. Buttermilk Falls and Luke’s Falls for waterfalls. Somewhere around Penn Haven Junction there’s a classic “Welcome to Lehigh Gorge State Park” sign. I’m pretty sure there is some form of a “beware of bears” sign in this area too. Lehigh Gorge Trail Bridge is a universal crowd pleaser. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway train cars that line the approach to Jim Thorpe, along with the original Mauch Chunk Train Station make for more good rolling stock bike selfies. 

Take a dip at Mauch Chunk Lake Park. Unless it’s not summer, in which case just take in the view. 

Explore Jim Thorpe. The Asa Packer Mansion Museum is a cool building. Sellers Books + Art is one of many nice shops on the main drag. The Mauch Chunk Opera House is also worth a visit.

Dinner at Marion Hose Bar. Everything is tasty. It’s heavy and filling and always just feels like the right move after a day in the saddle. 

Stay in Jim Thorpe. The Inn at Jim Thorpe is an easy choice. Plenty of other smaller BnBs and the like around the town. Try Jim Thorpe Camping Resort for sleeping outdoors.

Day 2: Cementon >> Jim Thorpe

Get breakfast at Muggles' Mug, again. Still your best bet for early morning eats. 

Ironton or bust. Pocono Biking will drop you off at the D&L trailhead in Cementon. Before heading north toward Jim Thorpe continue south to pick up the Ironton Rail Trail loop to add this trail and a few extra miles to your ride. 

Check out the Coplay Cement Company Kilns in Saylor Park. They’re a cool sight in a cool park with some interesting industrial history about, you guessed it, cement! 

Enjoy the ride, again. There are even fewer call out stops than Day 1 on this leg. Across the river from Slatington in Walnutport (who named these places?!) you’ll find  Locktender’s House. The Lehigh Gap Nature Center is about mid-ride. Monopoly fans rejoice, because you will literally bike through Marvin Gardens. All that said, the main event is really everything else. 

Stop for a scoop in Weissport. Chantilly Goods Ice Cream Shoppe has you covered. The nearby Lehigh Canal Park is a very picturesque place to enjoy your cone.

Ride the towpath. The last four miles of the trail between Weissport and Jim Thorpe runs with the Lehigh Canal on your right and Lehigh River on your left. It’s a lovely set up full of plenty of picture perfect scenes to bring it home. 

Eat at Trattoria 903. While I’ve never been myself, I have it on good recommendation from a close friend who grew up in Jim Thorpe that this is the best place to gorge on pasta post-ride, which feels like the right move before driving back to NYC.  

Extend your stay? Or don’t drive back to NYC and spend another night. There’s a whole world of hiking and whitewater rafting in the area. Make a mini vacation out of it.

Trails

• Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
• Ironton Rail Trail