We started the ride north to south, starting near Green Lane and ending at Lower Perkiomen Valley Park. Trail is in good condition, tho there are some spots of very loose sand/gravel that are a little tricky. One of those spots is the start of a hill that has a posted 12% grade. We did avoid those hills on the return ride, thanks to the directions previously posted here by twowheelertom! Several times we ended up out on the roadway; and there wasn't a very good shoulder--particularly tricky in afternoon rush hour traffic. Lots to see along the path, and there are several nice benches for taking a break. We stopped at the Collegeville Diner for a light supper on the return trip...great place to stop. Also has a lot of places along the way for joining in and doing a shorter version of the trail if you don't feel like doing 38 miles out & back.

Unlike the Schuylkill River Trail, from which this is a lengthy spur, most of this trail is unpaved. In some ways that's good, but in other ways it's not so good. This path generally follows the path of the old Perkiomen Railroad that was abandoned in the 70's. The two biggest towns on the trail are Collegeville and Schwenksville, and both have enhanced their business districts thanks to this trail.

Deep shade makes this trail a good choice for summer usage. While there is ample room to ride two or even three abreast, the trees along the trail have matured enough to provide almost full coverage, even in the midday sun. On the other hand, in the autumn when all those leaves fall and then get wet, that could make cycling a little dicey. But if you can catch the colors before the leaves fall, it's a breathtaking sight.

From around Thanksgining to late March, there isn't enough daylight or warmth to dry out the trail. While it does remain open year-round, I for one don't like biking on it in those conditions.

From south to north, here are some notable features on the trail:

Oaks - Lower Perkiomen Valley Park. A dam helps provide scenic views of the creek and wildlife in this area. The trail is paved here.

Collegeville - There are numerous places here to rest, eat, and drink. The Collegeville Shopping Center, less than a block away on Main Street, offers even more choices.

Rahns - Trail head provides access to/from PA 113.

Graterford - Junction of Skippack Township Trail, which takes you to Palmer Park, Skippack Village, and Evansburg State Park. Perkiomen Trail is paved in this section.

Plank Road - Central Perkiomen Park.

Schwenksville - Old train station is now an ice cream stand, conveniently located to serve both trail users and traffic on PA 29/73 in town. There is also a bike shop here that is accessible from the trail.

Spring Mount - Ski and camp area nearby; old arch bridge (to be closed June 2009 for repair work). There's also a pizza place here--in the middle of nowhere! The trail goes right past it.

Perkiomenville - Trail crosses PA 29 for last time, enters Green Lane Park.

Between Schenksville and Spring Mount there are challenging grades both ways, and the unpaved surface makes it even more daunting for some. Here is how you can bypass that: From Schwenksville, where the trail turns right to cross the bridge, go OFF the trail here. Turn right at the light at Ortino's, use the shoulder of PA 29/73 for 7/10 mile, turn right at the light at Spring Mount Road. Follow this 8/10 mile to stop sign, turn left. Go past hotel and pizza place, follow trail signs to return to trail. From Spring Mount, turn right at the 3-way stop sign, take this road 8/10 mile to light at 29/73, turn left. Use shoulder of highway 7/10 mile to next light, turn left. You'll see the trail on the right, you can access it there.

I would give this trail three-and-a-half stars out of five, and here is how I would make it better:

1. If they want it to be an unpaved trail, fine. But cinders should be the surface, not crushed stone or gravel. The latter is OK for mountain bikes or comfort bikes, but not so hot for hybrids or road bikes. About 1/2 mile south of Yerkes Road (near Collegeville) there is a spot than needs attention because there are exposed rocks in the surface that could pose a flat hazard, and every time we get a heavy rain it keeps getting worse.

2. Unless it is cost-prohibitive, find a better place to run the trail between Schwenksville and Spring Mount.

I grew up in Collegeville and remember watching trains along the route in the 1960s. I am very glad to see the old right-of-way become something useful for the entire Perkiomen Valley community.