Glen Run Nature Preserve

ICONIC POCONO VIEWS

Nestled atop Godfrey’s Ridge just outside Stroudsburg, this 182-acre preserve offers spectacular views of Cherry Valley to the south and downtown Stroudsburg to the north. A variety of moderate-to-steep and winding trails create an adventurous experience for hikers and mountain bikers.

 

A HIDDEN GEM

Sandwiched between the two ridges of Glen Run Nature Preserve lies a hidden gem: Glen Run Lake. This 5-acre spring-fed lake is home to waterbirds such as ducks and herons, as well as frogs and turtles.

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THE HISTORIC CHURLEIGH INN

Churleigh Hall was built atop Godfrey’s Ridge as a summer home for a New York City art dealer. It began to operate as The Churleigh Inn in the early 1900s, and featured 45 rooms, elaborate gardens, horse stables, and other outbuildings. The land was purchased by developers and the structures purposefully destroyed in the 1960s. All that remains are the marble front steps, a defunct swimming pool and some foundations.

TRAILS

The main hiking trail (white trail) heads uphill to the right of the sign kiosk. Near the top, hikers may turn right on the red biking trail and venture out on a short spur trail for a scenic view of Cherry Valley, then either return to the white trail or continue on the red trail. The site of the former Churleigh Inn is at the far west end of the white trail, where it meets the blue trail.   The green trail on the eastern side of the property leads down to Glen Run Lake. After crossing a small bridge over the outlet of the lake, a short hike to the dam on the eastern edge of the lake offers a beautiful view. The green trail continues up and around the edge of the property, where it rejoins the white trail to loop back around Glen Run Lake.

Hikers are allowed on all trails but should yield to bikers while on color trails.

 

BIKING TRAILS

The blue and yellow trails are winding, but not steep. They are most interesting for mountain bikers. The green trail is steep in places, and is also shared with hikers, especially east of the lake. The red trail is the steepest and is only intended for mountain bikers. Bikers are not allowed on the white trail.