Pedals on the RailsElectric Rail Biking the Lackawaxen in Hawley

From the outset, this is adventure with the fun factor dialed in. The state-of-the-art electric assist erases the guesswork of hills and headwinds, making the ride accessible to families, casual riders, and anyone who wants to focus on the scenery without grinding through it. You float past Hawley’s refurbished rail yard and into the South Hawley stretch, where the line relaxes beside the water. Bald eagles sometimes preside from snag-top thrones—watch long enough and you’ll see one pivot its crown, as if to say keep moving, traveler. On sunny days, the river flashes like it has a mischievous streak; on overcast afternoons, it broods in slate, pushing the narrative along.

This ride is about energy in more ways than one. The route traces the story of Lake Wallenpaupack, a man-made lake completed in 1926 to generate electricity, and ends with a behind-the-fence peek at the Brookfield Hydroelectric Power Plant. It’s a rare perspective, seen only from the railroad, where you grasp how water is gathered, guided, and transformed into power for the grid. Hills funnel the lake’s flow, turbines spin, and the whole system hums with purpose. The river doesn’t just meander here—it works. And that industrious current seems to lean toward you, nudging you to push forward.

Rail biking, for the uninitiated, is simple joy: a stable, open-air ride on custom-built cycles mounted on old tracks. You pedal as much or as little as you like, the assist picking up slack without stealing the satisfaction of movement. The route is gentle, the pace unhurried, and yet the sensation is unique—you’re charting a right-of-way that once pulled timber and goods through the northern Poconos, now reclaimed by adventure. In places, the corridor tightens into forest, where deer ghost through fern and black bear scat along the ballast hints at recent passage. It’s a living landscape, and the track knows it.

Hawley, like much of this region, is shaped by water and enterprise. The town grew along the Lackawaxen’s bend, where mills, quarries, and later railroads tapped the river’s muscle. Today, that heritage is part of the ride’s texture. You’ll roll past traces of the South Hawley Railroad Yard and onward into a leafy stretch that feels quietly off-limits to most. Here, an eagle’s nest stands at a respectful distance, and if you’re lucky you’ll watch an adult sweep in low, rowing the air like it owns the place—because it does. The tour guides keep things safe and structured, and the seatbelts, hand brakes, and well-spaced departures make it family-friendly. Kids can buckle in, pedal if they’re tall enough, or simply watch the world slide by.

The star, though, is the closing chapter: a unique look at the Brookfield Hydroelectric Power Plant. From the rails, the infrastructure becomes a lesson in geology harnessed. Lake Wallenpaupack feeds the turbines via a controlled system; elevation turns to torque; torque turns to power. This is where the tour earns its name. A guide will connect the dots between lake levels, seasonal flow, and output—how spring snowmelt swells production; how summer’s recreation balances demand; how decades of engineering still bow to the river’s temperament. The plant doesn’t just produce megawatts; it narrates a century-old idea brought into the present.

For travelers looking to blend ease with insight, this trip hits a sweet spot. It’s not a sufferfest, nor is it a passive sightseeing loop. You’re in it—pedaling, watching, learning. The Lackawaxen offers wind in your sleeves and stories at your feet. And because the experience is exclusive to the rails, it feels like a secret tour through the Poconos’ backlot. If you’re considering when to go, fall is hard to beat. The river paints itself in rust and gold, and the air keeps you honest—cool mornings giving way to warm, generous afternoons.

Plan on starting at the Hawley Train Depot (4 Columbus Ave). Arrive early to adjust your seat, stash a water bottle, and run through a safety brief. Closed-toe shoes are required, and it’s smart to bring a light jacket even in summer—the river corridor can draft cool air under tree cover. You’ll ride out and back, roughly 10 miles total, and return in time to explore town. Hawley’s cafes and brewpubs are an easy capstone, and Lake Wallenpaupack’s shoreline beckons if you want to double down on water views.

Ready to roll? Book the Feel the Power Tour and see full details at the official listing here: <a href="https://app.advcollective.com/local-experts/feel-the-power-tour-electric-rail-biking-hawley-pa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">electric rail biking in Hawley, PA</a>. It’s a compact adventure with a big yield—wildlife sightings, river time, and a front-row education in how moving water becomes modern life. On this track, the landscape isn’t just scenery. It’s a collaborator, a narrator, and on good days, a coach whispering a simple directive: keep going.

For schedules, safety requirements, and reservations, visit the tour page: <a href="https://app.advcollective.com/local-experts/feel-the-power-tour-electric-rail-biking-hawley-pa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Feel the Power Tour – Electric Rail Biking, Hawley PA</a>.