Chester Trails and Maps

1810 Reviews



Looking for the best trails around Chester?

Explore the best rated trails in Chester, PA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Limerick Trail and Limerick Community Park Loop . With more than 154 trails covering 788 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.

Recent Trail Reviews

D&L Trail

Bethlehem Section

November, 2023 by getbobk

Love this trail in the Bethlehem area. You can access downtown Bethlehem from the trail at Main Street. From there, it's about a 10 minute walk up where you can grab a bite to eat and some refreshments. Only downside last time we were there, saw dozens of people long-term "camping" along the trail east of Bethlehem. Probably not allowed but also does not seem to be disallowed. Just want to make people aware so they are not surprised by this while on the trail.

Angelica Creek Trail

Enjoyable Scenery

November, 2023 by emfref_tl

I enjoyed the trail from Brentwood Trailhead up to where the residential street started…. need more signage at that location to tell people they have to walk thru the neighborhood to pick up the rest of the trail. Or that they can take that little path to the right that leads one back to the University grounds.

Michael N. Castle C&D Canal Trail

Michael N. Castle C & D Canal Trail

November, 2023 by thejake91739

Q: If I bike ride the short 1.8 mile Ben Cardin trail in Maryland, should I bother continuing on to Delaware's Michael N. Castle trail?
A: Most definitely! Why stop after just two miles?

Q: Is it as flat and easy as the Ben Cardin trail?
A: It's mostly long, flat and occasionally curves as it parallels the not perfectly straight canal, but there are three places where the trail leaves the canal and climbs up the side of the hill. There it's curvier and takes you through woodlands and by a marina.

Q: Are the hills strenuous?
A: For regular, fit bikers and old guys like me with a Swytch pedal assist system, no. For others I would say yes.

Q: How strenuous?
A: One is steep enough to warrant two switchbacks. I also encountered a middle aged couple at the top of one of the hills resting, recovering, and acting like, What have we gotten ourselves into? I also observed another young, fit woman jogging who had to stop halfway up the hill, bend over, and put her hands on her knees.

Q:Is it picturesque?
A: Yes, lots of interesting photo ops of bridges, the canal, birds, woodlands, salt marshes, watercraft, charming homes, and historical sites.

Q: So if I start in Maryland and reach 5th Street in Delaware City, that's where I turn around?
A: Technically, that's the end of the Castle Trail, but why stop there? Cross the road and continue for another mile or so along quiet Canal Road and the Delaware City Marina to old, historic Delaware City, Battery Park, and Delaware Bay! You'll regret it if you don't!

Q: Are there any rest stops or restrooms?
A: There are restrooms at South Lums Trailhead on the trail and at Battery Park. There are also benches consistently along the canal about every 250 yards!

Q: Is it safe? What are the trail users like?
A: The friendliest and most polite you could ever hope for!

Q: As a former educator, what grade would you give this trail?
A: An A, but not an easy A. You'll have to work hard to complete those six inclines (assuming you're traveling the entire distance and doing a round trip).

Accordion

Ben Cardin C&D Canal Recreational Trail

Ben Cardin C & D Canal recreation Trail

November, 2023 by thejake91739

Officially, this Maryland trail is only 1.8 miles, perfect for the fine folks of Chesapeake City or tourists to take a stroll out to the state line with Delaware and back. In fact, as I sat on the deck of the Ship Watch Inn across the canal from the path's trailhead the evening before I rode it, I saw so many people doing just that.

The 3.6 miles round trip is perfect for walkers since it is flat, quiet, and picturesque. When I started my bike ride the next morning at sunrise, all I encountered were runners and friendly dog walkers.

However, those of us on bikes aren't going to stop after two miles, so be sure to combine this with the Delaware portion of the canal trail for an additional twelve miles.

AND . . . don't stop after those twelve miles. Since you've already gone that far, continue across 5th Street in Delaware City into the park and then bear right toward Canal Street to travel another mile or so to historical Delaware City, Battery Park, and Delaware Bay! Total round trip of thirty miles.

WARNING: If you decide to continue on to Delaware City, there are three hills on Delaware's Ben Cardin Trail. Thank goodness for my Swytch pedal assist!

Big Woods Trail

I took my family on this trail and with it being 3/4 paved and ending up at Hopewell furnace made for a lovely afternoon¡

October, 2023 by whdfshawn

I took my family on this trail and with it being 3/4 paved and ending up at Hopewell furnace made for a lovely afternoon¡

Frick's Trail

peaceful and scenic

October, 2023 by aliciarain729

I live fairly close to the trail, and I decided to finally walk it, it was truly beautiful and they have off-trails into a pond and a gazebo. I love it

Rim Trail

Shady retreat

September, 2023 by weymouth.wellness

Beautiful easy walk under forest canopy. Cool shade on a warm sunny day.

Angelica Creek Trail

Trail leads to a great nature center

September, 2023 by rdshelton10

The Center looks like a paradise for little kids, indoors and out. It was fun to explore the network of trails, which were shaded on a hot day.

Smyrna-Clayton Bike Path

Community Connector

September, 2023 by jmcginnis12

Actually a small network of multi-use trails, the Smyrna-Clayton Bike Path gives residents of both of these communities a great alternative to walking or biking along busy local roads.
The trail is comprised of two main branches, starting from Duck Creek Parkway on either side of the High School and Middle School campus. The northwest branch separates the high school from adjacent mini-storage facilities and a residential subdivision, while the northeast division follows a powerline that runs along a branch of Duck Creek and connects to the west side of Smyrna via a footbridge. Both branches of the trail wrap around the campus and converge just south of a small cow pasture. The trail continues southeast of here, crossing the creek on a footbridge and ending at the intersection of Routes 6 and 300.
In addition to giving local residents a chance to enjoy nature, the trail gives students at the high and middle schools a safe means to walk to and from school . Unfortunately, I noticed some minor deterioration on the footbridge northwest of the Route 6 and 300 intersection. People who are sensitive to loud noises should also be aware that the local fire company's emergency alert siren is just north of the junction between the northwest and northeast branches of the trail.

Monroe Township Bike Path

Easy, shady ride for a hot day!

September, 2023 by xerna17

We ride this trail a few times a year. Its very straight, smooth and mostly flat. Just a few very slight inclines. From Rt. 47 you ride a good distance before there are any road crossings. After that there are a few but only one or two that have a lot of traffic. Most of the trail goes through mature woodlands that give a lot of shade. My only complaint is that there don't seem to be any public bathrooms on the trail or at the trailheads. Otherwise, this is an easy, pretty trail.

Perkiomen Trail

bridge still out Labor Day 2023

September, 2023 by dpgnb6fnmv

Loved the trail, but the bridge being out added maybe 3/4 hilly mile on Rt. 29 to our bike ride. Hills also entering Green Lane Park, but the trail itself (not in the park) is very nice and mostly shady. Plenty if trailheads and parking. Meanders alongside the Perk. Creek.

Frick's Trail

it’s been paved

August, 2023 by dpgnb6fnmv

As of Aug 2023, Frick’s Trail has been fully paved. This is a very nice trail, half shady, half sunny. Two portions are connected by sidewalk thru a residential neighborhood. Mostly flat, one hill at the School Road Park end, but not bad. Be careful crossing Orvilla Road.

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