Find the top rated birding trails in Colonial Park, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Went here to work off a big meal at Texas Road House in Lancaster. Of course we hike in the upper trail. A little breath catching on a full stomach but good exercise. Some beautiful views of the Susquehanna River up and down stream. And the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail below. Will have to bring my bike down and ride that. Wife and son took the low road back while I took the steep shortcut to the high trail.
Nice views of the river. Plenty of parking along the trail.
I wasn't able to ride it for a number of years, but now, what nice improvements are there to be found. From Norristown to Valley Forge, mainly new macadam surface, plus the addition of several spots of racks of bike repair tools. And, the water fountain is about 1.2 miles from Valley Forge Park. There are areas of washboard type macadam around the Conshohocken area, and from Spring Mill to where it branches down to the Schuylkill River, relatively new macadam. Once you leave the tow path in Manayunk, it sort of tosses you into the street, which is crowded, so take the sidewalks, giving care for pedestrian traffic. Once you hit the Fairmount Park area, relatively decent trail surface, but expect heavy traffic all the way to what is now the end of the trail in Philadelphia. I take away one star due to the heavy Philadelphia traffic, and right now the detour around the Art Museum due to construction and confusing signage. The entire route is relatively level, so easy riding.
Since the upper end (above Philadelphia) is far less crowded, one may encounter cycling groups that travel at high speeds and can be annoying if they think they own the trail.
I love this trail for many reasons. I grew up in Manayunk. I played, fished, and explored the banks of the Schuylkill River. In my older years, I got into biking again. I read that they converted a lot of railroad tracks to a trail on the Schuylkill River. I was really excited. I rode the trail in 2015 for the first time. I was like a little kid in a candy store. I could not wait to see what was around the next bend and so on.
The trail is mainly level with little ascents. The trail is mostly asphalt with some crushed gravel on the Manayunk Towpath. There is a " GAP" when you get to Manayunk in the trail. Just stay on the Main St, you will see signs to get on the Towpath. When traveling in Manayunk be careful because the area in the summer is usually crowded.
This trail is truly the Grand Lady of the Schuylkill River Trails. There is so much beauty and history to see. First, biking into Philadelphia showcases some of the most interesting sites along the Schuylkill River such as the rowers, boat house row, The Philadelphia Art Museum and the city skyline etc. Secondly,going west of Philadelphia there are a lot options you can take. Recommended, if you need a break, Manayunk has a lot of eateries. In this area, there are other trails to explore. The Manayunk Trail Bridge is a must. The view is magnificent. Some of the other trails are Lincoln Drive,Cynwyd,Pencyoyd and Wissahickon Valley Park. Finally, after leaving the towpath you will get back on the Schuylkill trail at Shawmont. There the trail really opens up. There are other trails that connect,such as CrossCounty and Perkiomen.
Enclosing, I thank all the people who made these trails available. Even though its wintertime, as I right this review, I am getting the " Itch".
We started at the west end of the trail parking along Grove Street. We noticed mileage markers and hoped that the signage had been improved. Where the trail crosses Bullfrog Valley Road it appears that the trail goes either straight or turns left. Actually it only turns left. At some of the road crossings with pedestrian lights beware or cars making a right on red. At Clark Road the trail goes on road but is well marked as you ride through a quiet neighborhood. At Fishburn Road the trail goes off roads again. After the Hershey Public Library we lost sign of any trail markings. We did eventually make our way to the east most point of the trail (there were no signs for the trail there). On the way back we found more of the trail around the edge of a golf course but almost didn't see a sign some 20 yards away from the intersection. We again lost the trail just after the Spring Creek church. We made our way back to the Hershey Library and then back to our car. If you are planning on riding this trail and you are not familiar with the area I suggest writing turn by turn directions like you would use on a road ride.
Just wanted to share that the section from Marietta Boat Club to and including the parking lot at Decatur St is now completely paved. This is the formerly dirt, then gravel, "woods" section that is an alternate to the "town" section that now has signage in Marietta. The lowermost section extending down to the boat ramp parking lot off Furnace Rd is not paved, and from what I understand may never be completely finished due to Norfolk Southern's right of way for the active railroad tracks. Also, for trail users beginning in Columbia, there is parking off Front St directly under the Route 462 (Veteran Memorial) bridge. This eliminates the active railroad crossing for those who wish to get right on the trail across front St.
Was in Pottstown for an event decided to take a ride while there.
Parked at Grosstown Road. Rode into Pottstown River Front Park. Trail was paved but rough because of tree root growth. Then rode west to the Main Street crossing. The trail west was mostly gravel in good condition.
Montgomery County portion of trail needs maintenance to the pavement. Tree roots are making the ride uncomfortable and possibly hazardous. Restrooms? Are there any?
Overall a good ride.
Rode the Lykens-Williamstown section of the trail.
Trail is in good condition but somewhat difficult to follow in town. Many turns and small signs made for challenging navigation initially. Once out of populated area trail was very easy to follow. Riding the trail makes me appreciate the little steam engine that could. Huffing and puffing up the long grade followed by the easy riding down hill back to town.
The Lykens Valley was a maze of railroads accessing the coalfields. This trail uses a small portion of the abandoned railroads grades in the valley.
I parked near the Lykens Town Office. Facilities like information board/map and restrooms are lacking. There was a restroom on the other side of park but locked/closed. Nothing else nearby. On Rt 209 there, is a Walmart, MacDonald's, Burger King west of Lykens. Public Library branch in Lykens right along trail.
The social media (Facebook and Lykens Valley Rail-Trail Association Website) for this trail hasn't been updated on a recently. There were numerous signs that were damaged by shooters taking target practice.
Future expansion is there a plan/schedule? Wish they would publicize if there is. Hopefully the existing sections will be connected soon. Tower City is just over the county line. The railroad over the mountain connected to Hegins.
I hope to revisit this trail in the future.
October 17 rode the trail end to end.
Trail has been extended into Shippensburg and College. Took a short trip around the town but not familiar with the area so basically I got separated from the trail (lost) for a few minutes.
Trail surface is getting 'beat up' a bit. Could use some maintenance. Sort of becoming a 'two-track' in places. Horses have left impressions in the gravel.
There is a very short extension toward Carlisle. Maybe 3/4 mile ending just past route-233. They re-decked a bridge and installed a box tunnel under the road. Looking forward to having the trail extended.
I enjoyed this bike trail but the entrance was a little confusing and awkwardly located . I was only able to find the entrance with help from another bike rider. First you park in the Riverfront parking lot, get on your bike, crossover 2 train tracks and cross a busy street and then back over to the other side via a 3-way intersection, to get to the trail entrance. But once you're on the trail it is awesome; going through the tunnel, seeing the high cliffs of chicques' rock and little streams.There are plenty of places to have a picnic too on the trail and watch the rock climbers or just sit relax and spend time with your family. I gave the trail 4/5 because the entrance of the bike trail is somewhat hard to find and confusing. Perhaps, in the future, they will build an easier trail entrance and then I would give it 5/5.
I had ridden this trail in the spring, from the Fairview Road parking area to the blocked-off bridge at Safe Harbor. The Providence Township section is smooth fine gravel. The Martic Township and Conestoga Township sections are more rough. The News and Events section of the Enola Low Grade Trail website (http://www.enolalowgradetrail.com/) indicated that Martic and Conestoga Townships planned to place a new surface on their respective trail portions in late spring, early summer of this year. I rode the trail again October 6, and found that this work had not been done yet, so it was still a bumpy ride. I drove to the Manor Township extension of the trail and rode it - very nice.
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