Description
The Chester County Parks & Recreation Department opened this trail in 1979 on part of a former Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way. Today the 2.6-mile trail attracts more than 125,000 visitors each year.
Named for the late Robert G. Struble, a teacher, conservationist, county commissioner and Brandywine Valley Association executive director, the pretty trail parallels the East Branch of Brandywine Creek for a short distance. The trail's flat surface makes a perfect setting for amateur naturalists and a tranquil venue for joggers, bicyclists, inline skaters and cross-country skiers. Equestrians are welcome on the undeveloped sections of the trail.
The trail begins right near the downtown section of the pleasant borough of Downingtown right off Norwood Road. Traveling north, the trail cuts through pleasant wooded areas, a pristine setting in this rural section of southeastern Pennsylvania. You cross only one road during this journey: Dowlin Forge Road, which doesn't see much traffic. Currently, the trail connects to the 2-mile Uwchlan Trail on the right just beyond this road crossing, which links to residential and commercial sections throughout the township. Currently the trail ends south of Marsh Creek Park in Dorlan; however, there are loose plans to develop it farther to the north.
Parking and Trail Access
To reach the Norwood Road trailhead from US Highway 30 Bypass traveling west, exit at Route 282 near Downingtown. Turn left off the exit and proceed on Norwood Road under the US Highway 30 bridge. Turn at the second drive on the right, where you see the trailhead.
To reach the Norwood Road trailhead from US Highway 30 Bypass traveling east, exit at US 322. Turn right and go to Pennsylvania Avenue in Downingtown. Turn left on Pennsylvania Avenue and proceed to State Route 282. Turn left on State Route 282. Follow and turn right onto Norwood Road. The trailhead is the first left. There is a sign for the parking lot.
Pleasant greenway on the Brandywine




By
jmcginnis12@gmail.com
in
July, 2012
Constructed in 1979 along an old rail line that once connected Downingtown to Honey Brook, New Holland, and thence to Lancaster, the Struble Trail is one of the oldest rail trails in both Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Its paved ...
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Marsh Creek is Right there too..




By
mhowey
in
July, 2011
Nice to do a warm-up ride up the paved Struble trail to the end, turn right and climb up to the first bend in Dorlan Mills Rd. where on the left there is an entrance to Marsh Creek. There is also some limited parking at this point as well. Take the road ...
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more information on Struble Trail




By
ponybarn
in
June, 2010
The review below "more than just two miles" refers to offshoot Shamona Creek Trail although this is actually the Uwchlan Trail named in the TrailLink.com main description. This is a very worthwhile up and down 2+ miles of paved trail that mostly follows ...
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