The Lehigh River pushes through eastern Pennsylvania with a relentless vigor that invites those ready for an adventure marked by both challenge and discovery. Starting near Allentown, this river journey offers a mix of forested trails, rocky banks, and clear water currents that urge paddlers and hikers alike to engage with a force fiercely itself.

Covering a roughly 12-mile stretch easily accessed from several trailheads in and near Allentown, the Lehigh River Sojourn is a practical yet exciting option for anyone wanting to feel river and forest in immediate conversation. Most commonly tackled as a canoe or kayak float trip, the river also offers adjacent hiking paths that wind through shaded woodlands, revealing sweeping views and occasional sharp elevation changes—up to about 300 feet in spots.

As you put in at Green Lane Park or Whitehall Trailhead, expect a terrain that is straightforward but varied: flat, wide rocky riverbeds alternate with tighter spots where current presses against jutting boulders and fallen logs. Forests line both shores—oaks, maples, and sycamores—each tree seeming to lean toward the river, a green audience to the water’s ongoing dialogue of ripple and rush.

For planning, timing is essential. Spring and early summer bring swollen currents and dynamic water flow, amplifying the river’s personality but demanding careful attention to water safety. By late summer and early fall, the river calms, ideal for paddlers seeking a leisurely yet engaging trip. Trails alongside the river offer dozens of access points and sections suitable for day hikes or longer excursions. Footwear with solid grip is critical here, especially on wet rocks and uneven slopes.

Hydration cannot be overstressed. Water sources are plentiful but not always potable, so carrying your own supply or a reliable filter system adds a layer of safety. Early morning or late afternoon start times help avoid midday heat and increase chances for quieter wildlife moments.

This sojourn is an exercise in mutual respect: the river dares you, offering swift currents and sudden rapids, while the surrounding forest listens, occasionally revealing a hawk’s sharp silhouette against the sky or a shy white-tailed deer stepping lightly out of sight. Challenging sections prompt a pause, a recalibration of effort and approach, reinforcing that here, nature runs its own pace.

Physically, this adventure leans toward moderate. It’s accessible to most who are comfortable with uneven terrain and the basics of paddling. Technical skills range from intermediate paddling ability to basic trail navigation. Expect anywhere from three to six hours to complete a full float plus hikes, depending on your approach.

Prepare well, and the Lehigh River will deliver a vivid lesson in outdoor pulse and flow, grounding you in the practical demands and quiet rewards of a landscape living fiercely on its own terms.