Explore the best rated trails in Phoenixville, PA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Palmer Township Recreation Trail (Towpath Bike Trail) and Limerick Trail . With more than 182 trails covering 912 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.
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.
Trail surface was great for a gravel ride. Not overgrown at all. Scenic, and the fact that it's 20' above the adjacent highway keeps noise and vehicle intimidation to a minimum.
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).
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!
On an especially brisk, early morning weekday in late October, I had the pleasure of riding my bike on this beautiful trail. There were plenty of walkers and joggers for the first couple of miles, and then me on my bike.
I started at the High Bridge trailhead. The gravel trail made me wish I had my old mountain bike, but after awhile you get used to it and realize your bike isn't going to fall apart. My hybrid did just fine. Just beyond Califon the trail became hard packed dirt and allowed for a smoother, faster ride. Due to time constraints I only went eleven miles out and then back, so I didn't get to discover what the last four or five miles are like.
The Raritan River views are absolutely amazing, and the fall colors dazzling! The sounds of the river and the chirping birds are an additional joy. After Califon the terrain is more suited to land occupied by charming homes and farmland, but there is still plenty of woodlands and river. If I hadn't stopped so many times to take photos and video, I probably could have done the full thirty mile round trip.
After a couple of hours and eleven miles I turned back. It was then that I started passing many, many bicyclists. I think they preferred the warmer temps of late morning to avoid the frozen fingers I had to endure. In fact, I was surprised at how many cars were in the High Bridge parking lot with their bike racks and many, like this Californian, with out of state plates which attests to this trail's fame and popularity. I'm just speculating, but this trail must be super busy on weekends.
What a gem of a trail! A+
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¡
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
If you're looking for a rail-trailesque experience, this is not that trail. While nicely built into an area of relatively new housing and commercial developments, there are very steep grades connecting the two loops, as the northern loop circles a housing development on a Kissel Hill, and the other goes around a commercial area in the valley.
A nice ride especially in the fall At the far north end a couple of very steep short sections that are gravel The rest of the trail is on the railroad right of way so an easy ride
Beautiful easy walk under forest canopy. Cool shade on a warm sunny day.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
