Excerpted from Mountain Bike! Mid-Atlantic States by Joe Surkiewicz

The ride starts with an easy cruise on Switchback Trail and climbs one and a half miles to the top of Mauch Chunk Ridge and Flagstaff Park. Next is two miles of rough single-track on a narrow, rocky trail. Then you follow the ridge on an old dirt road and make a right for a steep descent along a power-line cut to Shoreline Trail. Most of the ride on the ridge is through second-growth hardwood forest. After the descent, follow the wooded shoreline of Mauch Chunk Lake. This trail twists through evergreen forests and has views of the lake and Mauch Chunk Ridge. Look for the bird sanctuary and observer's shack on the marshy lakeshore. In addition to being good shelter in a storm, the shack offers an excellent view of the lake, and the wetlands teem with birds. Keep an eye peeled for wildlife (including black bear) while you're riding.

Finding the trail: Jim Thorpe, between Allentown and Scranton, is about a 90-minute drive from Philadelphia. Take the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Exit 34 and follow US 209 south to Jim Thorpe. Mauch Chunk Lake Park is three miles from Jim Thorpe on PA 209 (the Lentz Trail Highway). Park at the office or at any of the other parking lots. Switchback Trail is located at the park entrance.

Notes on the trail: The ride starts on Switchback Trail, which crosses PA 209 at the entrance to Mauch Chunk Lake Park. Follow the trail past the dam, where it bears left. At the intersection with the paved road, turn right and climb 1.5 miles to the ridge top; the trailhead is on the right. Continue a short distance on the road to Flagstaff Park, catch the view, and get permission to ride the ridge trail.

Double back to the single-track (now on the left). After about two miles, the trail becomes a grassy road for another three miles. Turn right at the T-intersection. At the power line, turn right and descend. Look for the single-track to the left that goes into the woods (about two-thirds of the way down). In the woods, follow the path over two wooden bridges and emerge in a field. Turn right and keep the woods to your right as you head toward the lake. Return to the start on Shoreline Trail. Once you arrive at the lake, Shoreline Trail is easy to find.

Move on to Mauch Chunk Ridge Trail Map

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