Slate Heritage Trail

The unique Slate Heritage Trail travels between the towns of Slatington and Slatedale in eastern Pennsylvania. This short trail connects to the Delaware and Lehigh (D & L) Trail.

A former extension of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, the route was originally used to transport slate products from the Slatedale area. A portion of the trail was known as the Berksey Line. It was once part of the Berks County Railroad which transported students from rural areas to school in Slatington. 

Today, the Slate Heritage Trail follows alongside and crosses over Trout Creek; it travels through woodlands and past some suburban residential and business areas. True to its name, the trail features sights featuring slate. 

Mounds of slate can be easily seen along this trail. There are also slate buildings and benches made from slate. Some ruins from the slate industry may be seen alongside the trail. The weathered informational signs that described the impact slate created in this region are currently removed. But they included interesting facts such as there was a slate quarry with tunnels that went under streets in Slatington. There was also a National School Slate Company that produced “germ proof” blackboards for use in schools.

Traveling through rural and wooded areas, watch for wildlife including white-tailed deer.

The Slatington trailhead has a large parking area and a restroom in one of the slate buildings. There is a picnic pavilion and frequently a food truck is available. From the parking lot, hikers cross a bridge and then may continue on the D & L Trail, or turn onto the Slate Heritage Trail. The first portion of the trail is paved until the Franklin Bridge. Then the trail is mostly rough stone. There are bridge crossings including a picturesque covered bridge. A picnic pavilion is located by the covered bridge. 

The portion of the trail from Slatington to Emerald ends at a road crossing. A short distance before the road, a slate bench and small garden alongside the trail offers a refreshing stop before returning along this unusual heritage trail.