The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, The Delaware Water Gap Travel Guide

The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (D&L) is a 165-mile National Heritage Area in eastern Pennsylvania, stretching across five counties. It follows the historic routes of the Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad, Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Lehigh Navigation, Lehigh Canal, and the Delaware Canal. The D&L Corridor preserves the pathway that once carried coal and iron from Wilkes-Barre to Philadelphia, connecting natural resources with major markets.Today, the D&L Trail is a multi-use path for hiking, biking, and exploring the region's industrial heritage. The corridor includes the counties of Luzerne, Lehigh, Carbon, Bucks, and Northampton. Visitors can explore remnants of the 19th-century industry, historic canal locks, and vibrant communities like Jim Thorpe and Easton. The D&L also connects to state parks and wildlife refuges.The D&L played a significant role in the American Industrial Revolution. The area's natural resources, like anthracite coal and iron ore, spurred the growth of iron and steel industries. Immigrants mined coal and built canals and railroads to transport it. The Delaware and Lehigh Canals were essential for industry, creating jobs and transporting goods.