Bucks County Covered Bridge Tour

words and images: Jeff Bahr

A number of motorcyclists (and regular normal people for that matter) who seek to pass through historic covered bridges believe that New England represents the Holy Grail. It's easy to see why. After all, practically the entire state of Vermont is identified by that idyllic barnyard-red specimen that stands guard beside artist Norman Rockwell's home in Arlington. And just about all other New England states plaster their "old spans with hats" inside travel brochures and magazines. So, this region must be covered-bridge central, right?

Wrong.

Pennsylvania, that uncultured bastion of the working man (not!) holds this esteemed honor. It's a little-known detail that has this part-time Pennsylvanian wearing a Cheshire Cat grin. Consider the facts:

The U.S. contains som

e 2500 covered bridges. Approximately 250 of these are located within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. That's ten percent if you're keeping score. So, how many does Vermont feature? Just over 100. Massachusetts? A paltry 80. New Hampshire, Connecticut and Maine? A measly 72, 69, and 34 respectively.  Since Pennsylvania is so chuck-full of these quaint "roadbed garages," most counties feature their fair share. This tour will concentrate on five located in Bucks County on the New Jersey border.

River Road (Route 32), running parallel to the Delaware River will act as springboard for this tour. In addition to its close proximity to all the bridges featured here, its splendid view of the river makes for a great ride, in and by itself. After the tour, riders may wish to follow the road south into New Hope, a hotbed for motorcyclists and counter-culturists alike.

The first span on our tour, the Uhlerstown Covered Bridge, is also the easiest to find. Situated just south of the Delaware River's Frenchtown Bridge, the span is in distant view of scenic River Road.  Built in 1832, this red beauty is the only one on the tour that crosses over the Delaware Canal. It's also the only one with two inviting windows to peer out of. A typical Sunday finds scores of hikers and bicyclists passing beneath the span on the canal's towpath - amazingly intact after 175 years. At 101 feet long, it's the second longest bridge of the five. Perhaps its most striking feature is its location smack, dab at the base of a mountain. This necessitates a ninety-degree right turn when riding west over the bridge, lest one wish to crash headlong into the bluff. Currently the road dead-ends just a short distance from the span, so a U-turn is necessary to continue the tour.

Make a right onto R

iver Road. Pass Tunicum County Park and make another right onto Giegel Hill Road. Follow to Erwinna Covered Bridge.

At a scant 56 feet, this blink-and-you're-through-it span is the shortest one found on the tour. There's a bit of controversy regarding its year of construction. The National Historic Register puts it at 1871, while county records show 1832. Either way, this all-white "mighty-mite" has far surpassed senior-citizen status. Joining the banks of Lodi Creek, it's noted for its lattice type construction. It rests in a more open setting than the others; a condition that allows bright, cheery sunshine to filter in through each end. Apparently "shorter" doesn't always mean "lesser." 

Return to River Road and make a right turn.  At Tinicum Creek Road, make another right. Make a left turn onto Hollow Horn Road followed by a left onto Cafferty Road. Follow to Frankenfield Covered Bridge.

This crossing, Buck County's longest at 130 feet, seems the most remote of the batch, despite its location only two miles west of the Delaware River. If you cut your motor, the only sounds you're likely to hear will be those of birds, crickets, an occasional chipmunk, or a marauding madman (just kidding!). "Frankenstein's Hat," as it's known to playful locals, crosses the Tinicum Creek in a heavily wooded area. It's been standing under this dense canopy since the late 19th century; a wilder era that saw a profuse population of turtles living beneath its timbers.  Since covered bridges are often associated with romance (they were once called "kissing" bridges since young couples would smooch while passing through), this particular example has surely witnessed more than its fair share of exchanges.  Such are the ways of amore,' as the saying goes.

Ride over the Frankenfield Bridge and follow the right fork (Hollow Horn Road). Make a left onto Red Hill Road. Follow to Dark Hollow Road and make a right. At Stover-Myers Mill, bear left onto Covered Bridge Road. Follow to Cabin Run Covered Bridge.

Just before our next bridge is reached, the route passes by the Stover-Myers Mill, built in 1800. This is an excellent place to bone-up on your grist-mill history. This particular water-powered mill originally produced flour and feed, and drove an up-and-down saw that also produced lumber. The mill saw numerous mechanical upgrades throughout its uncommonly long 150-year life span. It is currently undergoing a full restoration that will eventually render it as good as new.

The Cabin Run Covered Bridge is close enough to walk to, but you'll be excused if you insist on riding to/through it. Suspended over Cabin Run Creek (surprise!), this 82' beauty has sheltered its roadway since 1871. Since it's located so very close to the Stover-Myers Mill, a visit here will fool your senses into believing that you've stepped back in time.  Take a moment to do just that.

Return to Dark Hollow Road and make a left turn. At Carversville Road make anothe

r left. Carversville Road becomes Wismer Road. Follow to Loux Covered Bridge.

Perhaps the nicest feature of the Loux Covered Bridge is the way in which it's encountered. When approached via Winslow Road, a hard right turn must first be negotiated before traversing the span. This offset vantage provides a unique view of the bridge that will appeal to photographers and covered-bridge fanciers alike. Some 60-feet in length, this "little guy" nevertheless performs a mighty big job. Constructed of hemlock in 1874, the bridge is said to have been built in answer to the drowning of one Reed Myers, a local boy, who succumbed when he attempted to ford turbulent Cabin Run Creek. These days the stream runs far tamer, although during spring runoffs that condition undoubtedly changes.  Moral? When in doubt, take the bridge!

On this tour we have sampled five of Buck's County's old-time covered bridges. As of last count, there are a total of eleven (11) remaining in the district. So where are the other six, you ask? Hey, by virtue of following this tour you've now become a bona-fide bridge hunter. Start hunting!