100 is chaotic! The design will enable people with different capacities and abilities to use the trail system, whether its because of your age or a handicap or some other disability, Hartman said. However, when bikers traveling over 20mph on the trail choose to pass in the middle of the trail, where there is east and west bound congestion, the risk they create for collision is a serious threat to everyone. Not too difficult and the trail is shady so for an August day it wasn't too hot. Flat and paved is always a welcome reprieve from crushed stone or otherwise. The remote sections are nice and trail well maintained but would choose a different trail next time. Fairly flat, and blacktop from start to finish, an easy ride even for beginners. The drawbacks (frequent road crossings and occasional visual proximity to rte 202) are easily outweighed by the quality of the trail. The trail is very enjoyable. Well maintained, paved, with plenty of shade. The CVT gets a bit dense with crossings, cars and highway noise at either end. The paved rail-trail rolls for just under 19 miles between King of Prussia and Exton, encouraging a variety of users, such as stroller-pushing parents, colleagues on a walking meeting, or cyclists seeking a quick 40-miler.The trail uses the corridor of the Chester Valley Branch of the Reading Railroad, which was completed between Bridgeport and Downingtown in the 1850s; the line hauled freight into the late 20th century (passenger traffic ended in 1935). During substantial snowstorms, the Chester Valley Trail will be open to cross-country skiing for brief periods; however, snowmobiling and any other motorized use are prohibited. 29 near Wegmans is not as obnoxious as the rt. :). One of those is Battle of the Clouds Park, located 1 mile past Ecology Park, where the trail crosses Phoenixville Pike. Does anyone know where I can park close to the trail around Wayne without the risk of getting towed? The middle segment, currently the longest, runs almost 4 miles from Ship Road east to Route 29. First time on the trail today and loved it. View Final Report; View Final Appendix; Project Description. Started in the car park at the western end and rode all the way to KoP. WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community. Initially, the trail goes along some very congested real estate, but the sound barriers do muffle the traffic noise so in portions it is very nice, heavily wooded on both sides, and in some places refreshingly cool. The trail surface was all asphalt and was in superb condition; no buckling, smooth as glass. Started at the North Gulf road. A view of the Chester Valley Trail. Battery-powered wheelchairs, dog walking under leash, and strollers are also permitted. A couple of mild, short hills face travelers in Malvern and just past PA 29. If you are travelling a bit to get here and ride this trail you may want to hold off until it's finished because the KOP section is only a little over a mile. lacks trail etiquette And mostly I hated the busy road crossings from Malvern on. I almost never give out 5 stars and never give out a single star so a three is not bad in my book. So MORE SIGNS and BETTER MARKING is a MUST! Read more about the planned trail extensions in the Daily Local News. Download a full copy of the final report and watch a short summary video of the recommended improvements. I recommend starting at KoP to make the return trip slightly downhill. View or download a copy of the Chester Valley Trail Extension Feasibility Study and Master Plan. Smooth asphalt trail and well maintained with lots of shaded areas. Nice clean trail. I essentially had to stop running for several minutes while I waited for the light to change. But due to the many road crossings and that some of the trail is along major highways and that one is funneled to road crossings requiring sharp turns , I am giving this trail a 3 star rating. Those two pieces are projected to be completed by the end of 2024. It really contributes to the quality of life for our residents, whether its in the form of recreation or as a commuting resource, said Bill Hartman, the countys trails and open space planning manager. The only crossing that is a real pain is going over Route 100 if you want to ride past Main Street at Exton. At its eastern end, the rail-trail connects to theSchuylkill River Trail inNorristown. :( OK so NOW the GOOD! 36.0 Seeking Funding TBD Paoli Pike Trail: Airport Road to Ellis Lane (Segment A) Multi-use trail along Paoli Pike (0.15 miles) . Help defend and expand trails nationwide. The trail parallels US 202, which youll barely notice as you travel through a wooded corridor that opens up to farmland approaching Exton. On top of that, truck traffic is extremely heavy and frequently blocks the intersection. Once one reaches Exton Park Trailhead, where water, restroom and tables are available, unless one wants to go into Exton, there is little reason to travel further. It has already completed a feasibility study for one section. So there ends up being lots more stop and go along the path. As mentioned in the other reviews this trail will become a significant part of the overall Philadelphia/SE PA region trail network in the future but the immediate "phase 2" expansion begins in April 2012 and will result in 15 miles paved from Exton to King of Prussia by 2013. I really love the trail and live close to Wayne. And there is a massive hill between that area, and where the Downingtown Trail is along 322. The Potential Alignments exhibit illustrates all of the alternatives being evaluated towards extending the CVT and providing connections to the existing Struble and East Branch Brandywine Trails. Click to open the map in a new window. Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. Found it to be much easier to run on than the Valley Forge Freedom Trail since there were far less cyclists riding at high speeds. We have ridden most of trail nice pavement easy road crossings very easy ride for family we park behind Swedesford shopping center plenty of parking. You'll be pleased. the trail crossed a road. But on this trap I had a great ride from the Malvern trail head. The section that I have ridden stretches from Valley Creek Rd near the Church Farm School eastward to Rt 29 near the new Wegman's - approx 4.5 miles. Complete municipal or multi-municipal bicycle/pedestrian/trail plans to identify potential local connections to the planned regional trail network, including the Chester Valley Trail and West Branch Brandywine Creek Trail. Lots of bikers, walkers and families on this trail but majority were friendly as you passed. Love it if could connect to VF park trail, but overall a great trail whether biking, running or taking the dog for a walk. Most is shaded and the cars were very good about stopping when Today the 2.6-mile trail attracts more than 125,000 visitors each year. This was our longest ride since starting back to riding and we were wooped at the end. If you are going to do this trail you really need to read a few reviews. The good news for bicyclists is that the trail is flat, wide, smooth, and fairly scenic as it winds past parks, forested land, and streams. if you don't mind backpacking, there are great green areas to stop along the way and have a snack. If you are looking for a quiet bike ride in a beautiful setting, I would not suggest it. It runs too close to major highways making it quite noisy in spots. But going further has major road crossings, and one enters into a major commercial area, and about a mile or so past that, the trail simply stops. Overall I look forward to riding the trail again when the next expansion phase is completed. Use figures as determined by Chester Valley Trail Counters showed 477,092 users of the Chester Valley Trail, 68,225 on the Schuylkill River Trail and 350,713 along the Struble Trail, during 2021 . Chester County is actively working to extend the trail an additional five miles to the west into Downingtown with the first one mile leg currently under engineering review. Once complete this trail will connect Downingtown, Coatesville, Parkesburg, Atglen and points in between with the . Get a FREE Rail Trails Guidebook when you become a Member with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. The first section is in design and will extend the trail from Exton Town Center to near . when this trail is complete it will be one of the better trails in the Delaware Valley, Hard to find due to confusing signage. Heads up tho! (Courtesy Montgomery County). Read more about the planned trail extensions in the Daily Local News. This took me out to the parking lot by Wegman's. This feasibility study and master plan continues the planning work from the Chester Valley Trail (CVT) Extension to Downingtown study and recommends the primary routing for the remainder of the CVT westward through Chester County. The CVT is well-maintained, paved, offers shade on hot days, and provides links to numerous residential, commercial, and recreational areas, making it perfect for cyclists, in-line skaters or walkers. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? 100 in the next phase and eventually all the way to Downingtown so you cannot yet gain access at Ship Rd. Its just a little boring. As of late 2011, three major segments of the trail, which is being constructed along an abandoned rail line that once connected Downingtown to Norristown and allowed freight trains to bypass Philadelphia, have been built in Chester and Montgomery counties. Currently, a 5.1 mile section is complete, connecting Montgomery County to . As compared to the Perkiomen or Schuylkill trails, CVT is like city riding. The extension will cost $6.2 million, and it will be fully funded by federal reimbursement through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. The trail is well-maintained. At some point during your activities on this trail, you will come across dear. Flat trail,asphalt paved from Exton,Pa to rte 29 in Frazer. This can also be viewed as a negative as I was passing people and getting passed by cyclists. Lots of stops to cross traffic. I did not cross Rt 29 (not necessary if only doing a 10 mileryou can run a little more near the parking lot in Exon to supplement the small shortage), but all other street crossings were simple and very well marked. walkers too. This should be on all trails. So, if you are riding this trail roundtrip and want to be riding downhill on the return trip, then I suggest that you park at the King of Prussia Trailhead. The trail extension project included the installation of two new pedestrian bridges at South Gulph Road and Henderson Road, and the enhancement of two existing bridges. Public Meeting #3: 'DRAFT Master Plan - Recommended Alignment' was held on May 31st, 2017 at the West Whiteland Township Main Meeting Room. This is a well built trail that travels down Pennsylvania's Great Valley. Users will eventually be able to take the Cross County Trail to the Wissahickon Trail, Power Line Trail, Cresheim Trail, and the Schuylkill River Trail into Philadelphia. It was not tranquil especially during rush hour. Completed in 2010, this segment is already very popular with cyclists, in-line skaters, hikers, joggers, dogwalkers and parents pushing young children in strollers. Little loud since your close to the interstate. In all, we walk the dog, go for runs, ride our bikes, play on playgrounds and can even stop for a beerall while using one trail. It continues past the Veterans Memorial Park and into the King of Prussia area of Upper Merion Township. The CVTE study is partially funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR) Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2). Join us at Chester Valley Trail West Public Meeting, Planning Commission Releases Final Plan for Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown, Download a full copy of the final report and watch a short summary video of the recommended improvements. I know other reviews have mentioned the lack of signage and I think this has improved. The Chester County Planning Commission (CCPC) completed the Chester Valley Trail Extension Study (CVTE) which investigated alternatives and determined a recommended alignment for extension of the Chester Valley Trail (CVT) from its current terminus in Exton into the Borough of Downingtown. The Downingtown Trestle Bridge, built between 1903 & 1906, is 1451 feet long and 122 feet high over the Brandywine Creek. The county saw 2 million path visitors in 2021, and more than 2.8 million users as of November 2022. The trail has a slight downhill grade from the Exton Trailhead to its southwest end (Between Rt 100 and S.Whitford Rd) and is about 2 miles one way. The park commemorates a Revolutionary War attack in 1777 that was foiled by a horrific thunderstorm that drenched the soldiers gunpowder.Another 1.3 miles ahead is Exton Park, which covers 727 acres and features a pond, picnic sites, and trails. this is not it! - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Construction of segments that will close the gap from Ship Road to Iron Lake Blvd. Nice trail with smooth asphalt for inline skating. It is primarily shady and completely flat which makes it perfect for long training runs. . Parking is available at a number of locations along the trail. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY. Liked the fix it stations. As a woman who typically runs alone, it's worth noting that I felt quite safe here (I'm not particularly paranoid but in today's times safety is a consideration now). Will definitely ride it on our next trip to PA. Our suburban reporters want to hear from you! The Chester County Commissioners accepted the plan at their December meeting to close out the grant provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservation Partnerships Program that partially funded the study. 4.5 is a more appropriate rating. This extension of the existing 13.5 mile trail will . Second, I love the quarter mile markers. First of all, we had a late winter snow storm and this trail was cleared quite quickly and very well. The trail is great. The # of road crossings will bother some more than others, but they don't compare to the Barnegat Branch trail & northern section of the Henry Hudson trail near the NJ shore. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. However, the trail is not very bike friendly as it has far too many crossroads that require stopping to wait for traffic and/or traffic signals. I don't know? The trail is well kept and access to many restaurants if you like that. Within Montgomery County, the Chester Valley Trail passes through three municipalities: Upper Merion Township, Bridgeport, and Norristown. Youve got to build that basic infrastructure that provides the broad access that you can then tie into and connect, he said. According to Trail markings, bicycle speed is limited to 15 miles per hour. Signage makes the trail easy to follow, and the quarter mile markers are an improvement over the usual half mile markers. I then headed out on my run going East (I think) for 3.1 miles. Looking forward to more rides! Incoming traffic has the right of way and does not stop. The Chester Valley Trail will generally follow a now-abandoned rail corridor and will connect Chester Countys Struble Trail in Exton with Montgomery Countys Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. The Chester Valley Trail Extension passes through three municipalities, Upper Merion Township, Bridgeport, and Norristown. She really enjoys going through the tunnels and over the bridges and pressing the stop traffic button at Swedesford Rd. We had a blast singing thru the tunnels and got a kick out of having our own bridges over traffic (what is the point otherwise). An official website of the Chester County Government. I rode the entire 13.5 mile trail from King of Prussia to Exton. I quite literally DID NOT KNOW WHERE the trail was! Though the trail is incomplete (the goal is to tie in with the Schuylkill River Trail) it runs through established neighborhoods as well as farm land along an old right of way that is more greenway than suburban. Each of these municipalities is represented on a project Steering Committee along with representatives from other County departments and local stakeholders. Activities: Biking, walking, jogging, rollerblading. Also be aware that you get a lot of noise from the traffic on nearby Rt 202 - it was noticeable and sometimes unpleasant, even without my hearing aids. Some are ok and easy, some are a lot more difficult. (Though part of that was a headwind.) This way you can have a nice picnic waiting for you in Exton Park. Paving is nice. Extension to identify a preferred alignment and preferred bicycle/pedestrian facility types from Downingtown to the Enola Low Grade Trail. Two of them had pedestrian yields that at least meant I could cross. In addition, recommendations are made for providing on and off-road connections between the P+T line, Struble Trail, and East Branch Brandywine Trail through Downingtown. Nice shaded parts of trail make it easier to run during summer months. We found it well maintained, paved and wide. The eastern most section was recently added which extends the trail to Montgomery county. Crossing rt. Lots of benches to stop and take a break. Struble Trail Description. The bad is that you will need to keep a close eye out for the many walkers, runners, strollers, and families. Highlight was on the east end there is a Wegmans Super Store just off the trail. Noise from 202 was blocked mostly by a wall. In the 3.1 miles out, I crossed 4 roads. Second complaint - I rode east to around Mile 5.0, then turned around. Got a question about life in Phillys suburbs? Your donation will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the country. The construction of the Chester Valley Trial extension to Downingtown will be completed in two phases. The Chester Valley Trail currently runs from Exton, in Chester County, to the Schuylkill Expressway in King of Prussia. This is an very good suburban rail trail that passes by a variety of businesses and residential areas. The newly extended 22-mile Chester Valley Trail will connect Chester and Montgomery counties to Philadelphia. I only walked a small section, about 3 miles but it was clean and perfect. The westernmost segment runs for 0.8 miles in the vicinity of the Main Street at Exton shopping center. Runs too close to busy highways and past shopping centers. The extension will cost $6.2 million, and it will be fully funded by federal reimbursement through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. It IS a really nice trail! I will definitely be back for speed work and I will probably use it for my longer runs (10+ miles). Lots of shade & nice suburban neighborhoods to ride through. The Exton end is very flat while the King of Prussia end has a few not-too-difficult hills. Localized trails can link to the veins and the capillaries in the larger system. Along the trail are some new bridges one in Bridgeport over railroad tracks, one above South Gulph Road in King of Prussia, and one over Henderson Road in Upper Merion Township. There are many well marked road crossings with gates and audible crossing signals. I have ridden the paved portion many times with my seven year old daughter and she has no problems making a round trip. This Phase will be about 1.25 miles. The trail is used for commuting, exercise, and recreation by a variety of users including, walkers, joggers, cyclists, and inline skaters. Montgomery County is advancing another major trail project the new Cross County Trail. Is it still there? I can see how they might run a paved path along Clover Mill Road. Trail will be extended west to Rt. In the future, extensions to the trail will allow . Superb trail as far as smooth and maintained, but the road noise from Rt 202 made parts of the trail unbearable. bp 2 chester valley trail extension to downingtown multi-use trail x x x x x x bp 3 chester valley trail: exton to oaklands multi-use trail x x x bp 4 enola low grade extension multi-use trail x x x bp 5 struble trail extension x x x bp 6 chester valley trail west multi-use trail x x x bp 7 paoli pike trail: airport rd to line rd multi-use . Completion of multi -use trail from Exton to Thorndale : 23.0 ROW Acquisition 2024-2030 Chester Valley Trail West Completion of trail from Downingtown to Atglen . Visit the TrailLink map for all options and detailed directions. Additionally, 202 can be a bit noisy. The Chester Valley Trail Extension is a planned 3.8-mile extension of the Chester Valley Trail. Crossing the river via a protected pedestrian/bike lane on theNorristown Dam Bridge, theChester Valley Trail winds throughBridgeport and passes an old inn named for Frederick the Great. Will definitely be back. @oiA'@!=pH0pb` 6^,n Many points of access as the mostly tree-line trail runs besides neighborhoods, corporate parks, and shopping centers. It is a favorite destination for walkers, runners, families, and bikers since it is convenient to a large population. The cost is estimated to be $1.5 million, which will be paid for using county bond funding, a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant, and a grant from Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Regional Trails Program/William Penn Foundation. Ask us a question or send an idea for a story you think we should cover. Chester Valley Trail Chester Valley Trail - 4a In Progress 6.34 1.04 Schuylkill River Trail Parkerford Road to Route 422 In Progress 5.71 4.11 Brandywine Creek Trail P&T Trail to Robbins Road Pipeline 5.83 0.30 Chester Valley Trail CVT Extension to Downingtown - P&T Line Pipeline 9.86 6.68 I biked this trail for the first time a week ago, end to end - just short of 15 miles each way. Several of the crossings are by bridge or tunnel and some are on the street. Park benches were pretty common, too. Speedy road bikers may not like the many road crossings over a 12 mile stretch, but a great addition to the trail system. The first section is in design and will extend the trail from Exton Town Center to near US 30. First envisioned in 1991, the numerous disjointed segments of the Chester Valley Trail are finally starting to come together.
