TRAIL CLOSURE (MILE 23.7) The Union Mills Bridge in New Hope over the Delaware Canal and D&L Trail from River Road to Water Works Condominiums has come to a state of disrepair, requiring the full closure of the bridge and the towpath underneath the bridge. FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, under no circumstances shall pedestrians utilize the towpath underneath the bridge or the bridge itself. Destabilized debris could fall from the bridge. Please turn around at the closure and DO NOT attempt to get by it. The bridge and towpath will be closed until further notice.
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) at the Waterloo Street crosswalk and head south along the sidewalk away from the downtown for about 300 feet. Enter the alley to the left and continue south. When you reach the River House at Odette’s the trail splits briefly into the Historic Towpath Trail and the Towpath Trail Bypass – both routes reconnect south of the River House – use the Bypass to access the Delaware River lookout.
In the Wilkes-Barre (northbound) direction, when you reach the River House at Odette’s follow either the Historic Towpath Trail or the Towpath Trail Bypass and continue along the trail until you reach Main St. (Route 32). Follow the sidewalk to the Waterloo Street crosswalk, turn left and follow the sidewalk back to the wooden staircase that reconnects you with the D&L Trail and the Locktender House.
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.
