In order to continue towards Bristol (south) on the D&L Trail from downtown New Hope, continue past the historic locktender’s house, dismount bicycles, and go straight to descend the stairs toward Main Street (Route 32). At the bottom of the stairs cross Main Street (Route 32) and head south along the sidewalk away from the downtown for about 300 feet. Enter the alley to the left and continue south. Continue south parallel to the canal along the towpath turn left across the canal bridge and continue south along the D&L Trail. In the Wilkes-Barre (northbound) direction from the end of the canal you turn left across the bridge and then turn right and head north through the alley to Main St. (Route 32). Safely cross the street and continue north on the sidewalk until you veer left and go up the stairs to the lock tenders house and back on the towpath.
This section of the D&L Trail connects the town of New Hope with Washington Crossing Historic Park (Upper Park). New Hope offers restaurants, shopping and B&B accommodations. Further south at the next trailhead, users can visit the upper part of Washington Crossing Historic Park including Thompson-Neely Homestead and Bowman’s Hill Tower. Near Bowman’s Hill Tower is Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, a non-profit that showcases a diverse collection of native plants on 100 acres of fenced forest with 2.5 miles of hiking trails. This section is part of over 50 miles of the D&L Trail designated as National Recreation Trail within Delaware Canal State Park from Easton to Bristol near Philadelphia. For more information specific to the D&L Trail along the Delaware Canal please refer to the Delaware Canal State Park and Friends of the Delaware Canal websites.
