Covered Bridge Trail

For anyone who enjoys hiking and also appreciates the beautiful architecture of covered bridges, this is the jackpot!

In Lehigh County, in southeastern Pennsylvania, is the exceptional 1,108 acre Trexler Nature Preserve. Located off of Route 309 in the small town of Schnecksville, the Preserve is open to the public, free of charge. There are several ways to enter the Preserve. For easy access to the Covered Bridge Trail, from Route 309, take Old Packhouse Road and watch for the sign indicating Trexler Nature Preserve Central Range – Covered Bridge Trail & Border Trail parking. From the parking lot, a short access trail will lead hikers down a small hill to connect to the Covered Bridge Trail.

Turn right onto the trail and enjoy a stroll alongside the Jordan Creek on a wide gravel path. During warm months, a meadow of wildflowers attracts a multitude of bees and butterflies. Soon, hikers will reach a park road crossing. On the left, a ford crosses the creek. Cross the road and a small bridge, then follow the path to the large pedestrian bridge that crosses the creek. From the bridge, hikers have a lovely view of the stream and tree-covered hills. On hot days, the normally shallow stream entices people to wade into the refreshing water.

After crossing the bridge, turn right and walk along the paved road past picnic tables lining the edge of the creek. Hawks are frequently seen and heard in this area. At a Y, stay to the right along the water. This gravel road leads to another narrower pedestrian bridge where hikers will have a lovely view of one of Pennsylvania’s iconic covered bridges. Cross the pedestrian bridge and walk up a short, rocky incline to get a close-up view of Schlicher’s Covered Bridge. Caution: the bridge is open for traffic.

There are other trails to explore in the Preserve, but this will be the farthest point of this adventure. Backtrack down the rocky slope, across the narrower pedestrian bridge, past the picnic area, but do not cross the large pedestrian bridge. Instead, continue hiking the path along the other side of the creek, crossing the road where the cars drive through the ford, and enter a section of the trail that leads through some of Pennsylvania’s beautiful woodlands. As hikers exit the wooded section, they will be treated to another historical covered bridge. Be aware, cars use the bridge. Walk through the 1860 Geiger’s Bridge admiring a close-up of the architecture. Once across the bridge, stay to the left following the trail to complete the loop. Return via the parking lot access trail for an enjoyable hike over the creek and through the woods to two covered bridges.