Find the top rated mountain biking trails in Phoenixville, whether you're looking for an easy short mountain biking trail or a long mountain biking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a mountain biking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We started this path from the Conowingo dam parking lot. We had to move through a group of turkey vultures to get to the trailhead. It was a beautiful fall day and the trail was clear of most debris. There are quarter mile markers. While we were out, several bikers were also on the trail. We took several side trails to the river to see other wildlife and to get some sun. The deep canopy of the trail blocks much of the sun making this an easy stroll in 80 degree weather.
Like the nearby Ironton Rail Trail, the Nor-Bath Trail follows the route of an old shortline RR that served the mining and concrete industries of the Lehigh Valley.
Nearly 6 miles in length, the trail is part of the LINK network of multi-use greenways that will eventually span the Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton conurbation, connecting communities to each other as well as to more distant metro areas like Philadelphia and Scranton/Wilkes Barre.
From its beginning at Main Street in the suburb of Northampton (a signed route along 10th and Canal streets connects to the D&L Trail a quarter mile to the west), the trail heads east through a series of parks, the surrounding landscape transitioning from residential subdivisions to rural farmscapes. It currently ends at Jacksonville Park, just west of Bath. Plans are underway to extend it into the town itself in the near future.
The diversity of landscapes along the trail's route is its best asset. The first mile or so in Northampton is a rail with trail, paralleling a segment of RR that was kept in use to serve local industries. Rail fans will want to check out the array of train engines and cars in the yard across Clear Springs Drive, while interpretive signage gives the history of the demolished cement mills that once stood on sights since reclaimed by nature.
Heading east from Northampton, the trail passes through residential communities separated by parks, and the asphalt surface gives way to crushed stone. Traces of the RR that remain here include the straightness of the route, rock cuts lined with the layered, sedimentary outcroppings common in the Lehigh Valley and three old bridges that have been repurposed for trail use. Some of the homes along the route also have ornately decorated and landscaped lawns that can be admired from the trail.
The trail leaves suburbia behind and follows a tree-lined route through bucolic farmlands east of Bicentennial Park. This section is some of the most beautiful landscape I have seen in the Lehigh Valley and gives one the feeling of being far away from the bustling cities. I hope the owners of these properties keep the industrial development that has recently popped up near the intersection of Jacksonville and Airport roads from encroaching into them.
Boasting beautiful scenery, a straight route between suburban communities with few at-grade crossings and a smoot, well maintained surface, the Nor-Bath Trail is one of the best greenways in the Lehigh Valley.
Loved every minute of this short bike around the lake. Paved (a bit of rough pavement at one point but majority was very smooth) and one good hill.
Great trail but it makes you drive with cars going 45mphom some parts
I walk these trails often. It’s one of my happy places.
Great trail. Love the new bridges and smooth black top.
When I first started riding the Chester Valley Trail, the connection to the SRT was only a concept. So I would ride from King of Prussia to Exton, parking at the park and ride lot. It is mainly flat and mostly wooded, but there are a lot of road crossings, the most dangerous one is right after entering Chester County, where an exit ramp from Rte 202 has cars not caring about stopping at the trail, which has a walk sign. There have been signage improvements in a lot of the other trail crossings, taking some of the risk out of it. It is paved, and the only steep part, and hardly that, is around the Vanguard Headquarters. There is a park at Exton, with water and restrooms. In addition, unlike many trails, it is considered a commuting trail so there is winter maintenance. That makes about a 25 mile round trip to Exton and back. Since then, the trail now connects to the SRT. Connecting, one has two very steep bridges to go over, and other less steep parts approaching King of Prussia. That part of the trail is mainly in the open, and road crossings are signal controlled. It goes along Rte 202 in Chester County, and there are sound barriers, so when the trees are in leaf, it actually is muted in noise. In Fall colors, it is gorgeous. And in hot weather, cool, especially in the Chester County portion. A positive is it is flat, but a negative are the many road crossings. I have found a mix of riders and walkers but it seems few riding clubs traverse the trail, so riders will not be zooming by one. In the summer, on weekends, there is a recombinant bike group for handicapped people who you may meet, starting from the Exton Park.
Constructed along the route of an old rail line that once served several slate quarries, the 3.3-mile Slate Heritage Trail celebrates one of the resources that once played a prominent role in the economy of the Lehigh Valley.
Much like the nearby Ironton Trail is an outdoor, linear museum devoted to the iron and cement industries, the Slate Heritage Trail treats users to ruins of the local quarries, most notably the NY Tunnel Quarry, so named because the tunnels mined into cliffside reminded the owner of the NY subway system. Slate heaps left from other quarrying operations can be seen off the trail further west and the towns that the trail connects, Slatington, Emerald and Slatedale, all attest to the role that the grey rock played in the development of the region.
The trail's route through a wooded greenbelt provides serenity and welcome shade in the warmer months of the year and people can often be seen fishing in the aptly named Trout Creek. The trail has a smooth, asphalt surface through Slatington, the largest and easternmost town, but turns to crushed stone at the quarry east of Emerald. Although the western segment of the trail has been repaired since the floods a couple years back, the surface is pretty loose, so cyclists should be careful. The section from Emerald to Slate Dale is also notable for the lush forests it passes through, giving the feeling of being in rural NE PA to the north rather than the suburban Lehigh Valley.
Other highlights mentioned in earlier reviews include the slate benches, several of which double as memorials devoted to the deceased, the covered bridge situated halfway between Slatington and Emerald and the remains of a demolished RR bridge in the latter town.
Although the trail itself is only a little over 3 miles in length, it links to the much longer D&L Trail on its eastern end and could possibly be extended west toward Jacksonville and Kempton in the future.
I basically do the trail from Oaks to Schwenksville. From where I start my bicycling on the SRT, that is a 45 mile round trip. For years, there was sewer line replacement along the river, which resulted in a temporary line along the early part of the trail, but when they finished, a large portion was resurfaced with firmly packed gravel, making for easy riding. It is shaded, so cool on hot days. The two road crossings early on (Cedar Mill and Arcola) can be a bit tricky, but it seems signage for motorists has helped, and for crossing Rte 29, there are overhead flashers, which really help. Sections that used to be less fun after rains have seen asphalt laid, which is helpful. There is a small cafe in Schwenksville that can be nice to visit. The trail is not usually crowded, with more walkers than bicyclists. There is water and rest rooms at both Lower Perkiomen Valley Park and Central Perkiomen Valley Park. One can also access the Audubon Trail to get to the James Audubon Center from Lower Perkiomen Valley Park.
This was the second time I visited this trail. But the change in parking location from Quarryville the first time to Red Hill Road in Pequa this time made all the difference. From the that trailhead, you can choose what direction you’d like to enjoy the trail. But I would highly recommend going west towards the Martic Forge Trestle and the beginning of the spectacular views of the Susquehanna to River
I just moved back to the Philadelphia area. The Chester Valley Trail continues to be one of my favorites. I’m a mid-level road biker and this trail suits me well. The CVT is in beautiful shape: lots of trees and the western half in particular is very bucolic. Yes there are road crossings and some traffic noise, but honestly, the tree cover and the quality of the trail make up for any issues. I also like it because it’s not as busy as the SRT (another excellent ride and great for faster riders or the Perkiomen)
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
Map Search
_146833_st.jpg)
_131667_st.jpg)
_141268_st.jpg)
_246309_st.jpg)
_189903_st.jpg)
