Schuylkill River Trail - Valley Forge to Philadelphia:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
The Valley Forge to Philadelphia segment of the Schuylkill River Trail stretches 20.5 miles along the historic Schuylkill River, from downtown Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Museum of Art out to Montgomery County and Valley Forge National Historic Park. In Philadelphia, the trail uses Fairmount Park trails and the Manayunk Canal towpath. In Montgomery County, the trail follows a former Pennsylvania Railroad line. The trail is the spine of the Schuylkill River Heritage Corridor, a five-county area designated as both a State and National Heritage Area.

Originally conceived of by the Fairmount Park Commission, the trail route grew to include many municipalities. Montgomery County constructed the trail from the Philadelphia City line to Valley Forge National Historical Park. The Chester County Department of Parks and Recreation is currently planning the section between Phoenixville and Pottstown. The Schuylkill River Greenway Association is working on the sections from the Montgomery County line to Birdsboro and from Gibraltar into Reading. And finally, the Schuylkill River Development Corporation is managing the trail construction from the Water Works in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park and along the tidal section of the Schuylkill River, known as Schuylkill Banks. The Schuylkill River Greenway Association has detailed maps of each section along with construction up-dates on their website.

The river was once a major transportation resource that played a key role in the region's development. Evidence of several centuries of industrial use remain where river and canal navigation, quarrying of limestone and iron ore, and production of iron and steel have succeeded each other as mainstays of the region's economy.

Today the trail is a busy commuter route during rush hour. This trail's asphalt tread is somewhat narrower than that of many of the new trails—caution, as well as rail-trail etiquette, should be heeded. This section runs parallel to the Schuylkill River, with numerous access points at businesses and public transit. In Norristown the trail connects with the 30th Street train station in downtown Philadelphia.

At Betzwood, just outside Valley Forge National Park, the trail provides a direct link to the 19.5-mile Perkiomen Trail and will eventually access the Cross County Trail in Conshohocken and the Chester Valley Trail in Norristown. Future development of the Schuylkill River Trail will extend it along the entire length of the Schuylkill River, more than 140 miles, from its confluence with the Delaware River to its headwaters in Schuylkill County.

Visit the other Schuylkill River Trail segments: Thun Trail, Bartram Trail, and the Phoenixville to Pottstown segment.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the trailhead and parking at Valley Forge National Historical Park, take the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76) to Valley Forge, Exit 326. Take US 422 west to the Audubon/Trooper Exit and turn left off the exit ramp. You'll find parking for the Schuylkill River Trail at the Betzwood Picnic area just ahead.

To reach the Philadelphia trailhead, head west from Center City in Philadelphia on Walnut Street. Turn left on 23rd Street, right on Spruce Street and right on South 25th Street. Before having to turn right on Locust Street, look to the left; there is a pathway to the trailhead reachable by crossing the railroad tracks at an at-grade crossing. There is no dedicated parking for this trailhead.

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Reviews: [3 trail ratings]
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osborn2ride
By osborn2ride in July, 2011
I did this Trail mid day July 7th, it was a hot sweaty day and I was on my old Mt bike with a street tire but because I started at Pawling Trail head and rode to Mannounk the lack of canopy took some of the fun from this ride, I would have had a much better ride if I had done more home work and had been on my road bike The section I did was about a 34 mile round trip and all but about four miles, two in each direction was paved. This is a family friendly trail and is fairly flat. Very good scenery and buy in large you fallow the Schuylkill river. They have done a great job on the Norristown to Conshohoken section of the trail. The trail is well marked and they give you mile points to almost every point on the trail. this was not one of my best rides but like the old saying goes a bad bike ride is better then a good day of work. In the fall I will come back and do the whole trail on a nice cool fall day.
Detour on Kelly Drive (Spring/Summer 2011)
By dcwom in June, 2011
Once again we rode the SRT from Oaks to Fairmount park, the SRT was busy as always. There is a detour from the route along Kelly Drive just north of the park, this isn't the safest detour as it crosses busy on/off ramps. The good news is that they are improving the trail along Kelly drive to be more than a skinny sidewalk.

The Manayunk canal trail section is still rough and unsuited for road bikes, sending the skinny tire crowd to the narrow downtown streets.
What a wonderful adventure!
By katz420 in August, 2010
My husband and I started on the trail a bit above Oaks, we hoped to ride to Philadelphia. I was really looking forward to riding in Fairmont Park. The ride was smooth and pleasant, just a few hills and they could be counted on one hand. Even though we started early the path was very crowed with people so you must be prepared to pay attention most of the time. The ride was so enjoyable and it was exciting to peddle from Montgomery Co. and end up in the City of Philadelphia. My husband and I took a few moments to sight see a bit before heading back around Fairmont Park and heading home. My Son lives in Roxborough and I was able to peddle the Tow Path toward Manyunk and say Hello to him on my way through. It was awesome. I had one bike reck in Fairmont Park due to a small child cutting me off, I was fine and it was all good. Our ride was a total of 53 miles. We live in Berks County and CAN NOT WAIT for the trail in Berks to completly group up with the trails to Montgomery to Chester...Dream Come True!
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Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Walnut St. (Philadelphia) to Port Providence Rd., Longford Park (Valley Forge/Phoenixville)
Counties: Montgomery, Philadelphia
Trail Length: 20.5 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Wheelchair Accessible, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6017043

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