I used the Lawrence Hopewell Trail to bike to Hopewell Valley Vineyards

It’s no secret that I love the Lawrence Hopewell Trail and all its variety. So after last weekend’s bike-and-wine adventure in the other direction, I thought I’d try another winery. And I realized the LHT could get me most of the way there.

Spoiler alert: we got to Hopewell Valley Vineyards too early for the wood-burning pizza oven or a even a glass of wine. And I was hungry!!

But I can say the bike route is pretty straightforward, and we will have to do it again. D&R Canal towpath to the turnoff to the Lawrence Hopewell Trail by Brearley House. We relied on our Garmins to get us through Lawrenceville School (construction there means there’s no longer an official LHT segment, but that should change in 2025), then were back on the trail for real through downtown Lawrenceville, Village Park, Mercer Meadows and the section heading to the Watershed Institute. So chill.

We peeled off and took the road at Titus Mill Road, crossed Route 31 at a traffic light and made our way to the winery.

Only, of course, to find it closed. Probably a good thing on a Sunday morning, to be honest. Just an excuse to do this ride again.

We used the LHT to help us get home too. Pick your poison for crossing U.S. 1: Washington Road or Alexander Road. The route that the Brit designed uses both. A 36-mile ride that dodges the crazy hills in the Sourlands.

Some sights along the trail:

First time for me to see a horse and rider on the trail, and nowhere near the county equestrian center to boot. The turtle just wanted to cross the trail.

And a history lesson on the way home, near the ETS headquarters:

Also read: A bike ride to a new brewery just off the Lawrence Hopewell Trail