Explore the best rated trails in Chesapeake City, MD, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Elephant Swamp Trail and Heritage Trail (PA) . With more than 136 trails covering 535 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I knew about this trail in Royersford, but just discovered that it connected to the SRT. It would be even better if a restaurant or pub opened nearby. Most of the town is up the hill and is probably too steep for many. Plus, Main St has lots of traffic. Lots of walkers on some days so plan for a casual ride.
It is a nice little out and back from the SRT if you are looking to add a scenic detour.
I discovered this after I got my gravel bike last year. It is short however this is one of the few places you are right by the Schuylkill River for a significant amount of trail and can actually see the river. Most of the primary right of way for the SRT is either along the canal or you cannot see any scenery. There is a reason Schuylkill in Dutch I believe means "hidden river".
If you want to do a longer gravel ride under a treed canopy, park at the Longford Road Dog Park at the end of Longford Road and take the canal trail from there through Mont Clare. After crossing under PA Rt 29 you will come to the paved section of Lock 60. Go a short way and cross the little bridge on the right and that's where this trail officially begins. Worth the trip.
Note: the trail is often closed for a short duration after flooding events.
Awesome trail available to me locally. Very high quality facilities. This is the best trail my wife and I agreed we ever used.
Just completed York to Maryland . Stopped in Railroad to spend the night at The Jackson House B and B. Great place. Ale Craft brewery nearby was excellent. Coming south through York was a bit of a challenge. We got off trail twice for a short period. Needs to be better marked
We have ridden the section that connects with the Schuylkill River Trail several times and that section is fine. We went to ride the other two sections. First we stopped at the Hopewell Furnace Visitor's Center. there is lots of parking and clean rest rooms, however we could not find the trail. We asked a park ranger and he directed us to the trail. It was down a steep hill covered with large stones (for biking over) followed by an unmarked turn. Finally there was a sign and the trail was wide and paved most of the way to the pool where we turned around although a wide gravel path continued on. Next we drove to Elverson and rode that section of trail. Other than being short, part of the trail was little more than a single track.
We rode this trail on a sunny spring Sunday. The trail is beautiful, the only problems are its total lack of shade and its short length. Looking forward to when this trail is completed.
The trail was nice and enjoyed the bird songs. I had started at the Northern trail head and heading south to MD border. The problem is the trail isn't well marked once I had made York. I had gotten lost and wasted a lot energy and looped around York trying to locate the southern Heritage Rail trail. Decided to head back, luckily my phone hadn't run out of charge.
All that being said I will try it again later this year.
Very nice trail around a municipal park with ball fields and playground, then continues on mostly through beautiful farms and fields. Sections of gravel and pavement, mostly flat. Good for families with children, either biking or walking with strollers.
Great Trail with a seemless connection to Delaware’s Michael Castle Trail Paved the entire route, and “car width” wide. Parking at the Chesapeake City end is under the MD213 bridge. (The new paved lot mentioned in previous reviews is for the restaurant). Make sure it is not windy on your ride day. The canal is very wide and there is no windbreak, so a good tailwind turns into a terrible headwind on the way back. There are a couple switchbacks to get elevation gain but those are only for about 50’ of gain. Ice Cream shop right of the trail in St.GeorgesDE.opens the end of April.
It is a very scenic rail trail. It is obviously well maintained and wide for a bike trail. As listed, it is hard packed gravel and dirt. I do not understand the negative complaints about the surface when it is clearly stated in the description. The minimum tire width for this type of trail is 32mm with 50 psi max. pressure. I ride 45 mm tires with 38 psi on this type of trail surface.
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