Program runs
from June 2 to August 17

Needle & Thread

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 1.62 miles

Restrooms: Yes

Stroller Friendly: Yes

Wheelchair Friendly: Yes

Playground: No

Dog Friendly: Yes

Location: Heritage Rail Trail County Park – New Freedom

Start at the New Freedom Train Station. If you time this one right, you may be able to visit the museum at the train station or catch a ride with the Northern Central Railway before or after your hike.
To start, walk past the bathrooms on the north side of the station. You’ll know you’re in the right place if you’re walking past the two red cabooses with the big PENNSYLVANIA on the side.
Once on the trail, turn left and head north on the trail. Those same cabooses should be on your left.
About a quarter-mile up the trail, you’ll come to a crossover of the tracks. Be sure to stop, look, and listen for the train before crossing. This is an active railroad. Once you cross the tracks, continue north on the trail.
Up ahead, you’ll reach Pleasant Ave. Carefully look both ways before crossing and continuing north on the trail.
Next, you will pass a metal tower between the trail and the tracks. Any ideas what this was used for? Ask the railroad or museum folks to see if you were right!
You should soon see a wooden fence on the right side of the trail. Look for the post here.
That was the easy part! Although it seemed flat, you were actually going downhill slightly. To return to your vehicle, turn around and go back the way you came and see if you think it’s harder going that way.