The Brandywine Trail follows the course of its namesake creek through over two miles of Brandywine Creek State Park, emerging at the northern end at the entrance to the Brandywine Valley area of First State National Historical Park, featuring popular open spaces and hiking trails.
The majority of the Brandywine Trail has a crushed stone surface, although several sections are paved. In addition to lovely views of the water, trail users should keep their eyes out for numerous wildflowers, warblers, white-tailed deer and other wildlife along the shaded path.
Parking and restrooms are available with the state park entrance fee at the southern end of the trail at the Rockland Falls Road trailhead and along the trail at the Thompsons Bridge Road trailhead. Additional free parking is available at the small lot operated by the First State National Historical Park located just east of the northern end of the trail on Ramsey Road.
To reach the southern end of the trail from US Route 202, take US 202 towards Talleyville and turn to head southwest on Mount Lebanon Road. Continue until the road ends at Rockland Road and turn right, then take the next right to access the parking lot and trailhead. The main park entrance can be found by continuing further west on Rockland Road.
The beginning of the trail was easy to find after parking in the alternate parking area since the main parking was closed. The recent storm made the trail somewhat muddy with one fallen tree blocking the way about 1/4 mile from the trailhead. The narrow path along the water's edge on one side, and corn field on the other was fine to bike on, but ended at just over a mile due to a small stream that needed to be crossed. Instead of trying to find an alternate way across, we just turned around and headed back to the parking lot.
We loved the trail. Clean and peaceful.
Mostly level main trail. Excellent for beginners. Quite a few offshoots for advanced cyclist. Adequate parking, nice spots with benches along the way. Overall excellent trail.
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