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Print Friendly MapA work in progress, the 2.5-mile Uwchlan Trail currently extends from the Struble Trail off the intersection of Dowlin Forge and Shelmire roads, north along the Shamona Creek and primarily following local roads to the intersection of Eagle View and Wharton boulevards. The township plans to eventually extend the trail further east across Route 100, past the municipal building, then turning back south to Exton Park, where it will end at the Chester Valley Trail.
The trail is narrower than the Struble Trail and has a number of small grades. It also crosses local roads at several points and shares a stone bridge with Dowlin Forge Road. The most scenic portion of the trail is the southwestern-most segment, from the Struble Trail to the intersection of Dowlin Forge and Pennypacker roads. Highlights on this segment include relics from the 18th and 19th centuries, when the area included numerous mills and forges. Ruins of an old mill, dam, race and other infrastructure are marked by interpretive signs, now all surrounded by lush woods. There is also a small, stone spring house between the trail and Dowlin Forge Road, and the trail links several local parks.
Once completed, the Uwchlan will provide an offroad connection between the Struble and Chester Valley trails, linking to the latter in Exton Park. Long-range plans anticipate it becoming part of a loop once the Chester Valley Trail is extended west into Downingtown and the Brandywine Trail is completed northward to link to the Lions' Trail in Kardin Park. The trail is also part of The Circuit, the extensive greenway network being constructed throughout the Greater Philadelphia metropolitan area.
The trail can be accessed from trailheads off the intersection of Dowlin Forge and Shelmire roads, and at Jones Pond and Dowlin Forge parks.
I’ve run this trail a number of times and walked it quite a few as well. While it’s basically uphill from the Struble towards Eagleview, it’s not too bad and should be doable for most people. I checked it out awhile ago for a friend who rides an adult trike and I wouldn’t recommend for that as several of the bridges have bad transitions as well as a few very tight corners. Still, it’s a pretty quiet trail close in to enjoy even in the warm weather.
I rode this a few weeks ago with a friend of mine who’s a hand cyclist. He’s a strong experienced hand cyclist. There are climbs that might be difficult for someone with a single speed bike and as the other reviewer said, several of the road to bridge and back transitions are not smooth. In addition, a few are too tight for a trike to make the corner approach. This is a great walking/running trail and should still be ok for someone on a bicycle with a few gears. It’s pretty and has many shaded sections.
We rode the Uwchlan (pronounced you-clin) Trail from the Struble Trail UP HILL to the intersection of Pennsylvania Drive and Eagleview Blvd., where we turned left which took us to the Brandywine Hospital. From the hospital parking lot we crossed on to and turned left on Old Township Line Road to right on West Township Line Road to right on the Uwchlan Trail at Penna. Drive to right on the trail at Rice Blvd. and back down to the Struble Trail. The lower part of the trail is thru a wooded park and very scenic, the upper portion is an asphalt sidewalk beside mostly not too busy streets. I had written out a detailed turn by turn description of the trail, good thing as the trail is not well marked. Also, some of the bridges while visually pleasing, had rough transitions on and off. (I've never understood why a paved trail should not have smooth transitions at bridges.) Still overall a very enjoyable ride. When combined with the Struble and Lions trails they totaled over 13 miles out and back.
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