First envisioned in 1991, the numerous disjointed segments of the Chester Valley Trail are finally starting to come together. For all practical purposes you have to cross three roads, each with a long wait for the light and crossing signal. It IS a really nice trail! Clean trail and a decent amount of tree coverage at most points for those hot sunny days. I look forward to learning how to connect, on the east end, to the Schuylkill River Trail that goes all the way to Center City (PHL). The trail is great. A couple of mild, short hills face travelers in Malvern and just past PA 29. This includes the area known as "Battle of the Clouds," where an impending battle was cancelled due to torrential rains and dampened black powder, in the vicinity of Phoenixville Pike and Swedesford Road. Heads up tho! Liked the fix it stations. On other crossings you just have to look carefully both ways. Lots of stops to cross traffic. Each segment of the trail is at different stages in the development pipeline either already existing, under study, in engineering, or under construction, Hartman said. I can't wait for winter 2022 for extension to Sckuylkill river trail in Norristown. There are mileage markers almost every half mile, and also some signs for points of interest. If you're riding the entire trial, all the crossing can become a bit burdensome. All Rights Reserved. There were a couple of maintenance stations along the way. Formed in 1850 by the Philadelphia and Reading Company, the Chester Valley Railroad stretched 22 miles between Bridgeport and Downingtown. I imagine some of this has to do with the newness of the trail. Today the 2.6-mile trail attracts more than 125,000 visitors each year. There is a short section on the northern part of the trail which is more exposed to sun and Rte 202 traffic noise. For a few miles you are riding next to I-76 so you will hear traffic but it is not deafening. Paving is nice. The Chester Valley Trail is currently 18.6 miles in length with 13.5 miles open for use in Chester County and 5.1 miles open to the east in Montgomery County. The drawbacks (frequent road crossings and occasional visual proximity to rte 202) are easily outweighed by the quality of the trail. . My friend and I parked at the Exton Park Trailhead which offers many amenities; such as full service bathrooms, playground area, and a tremendous parking lot. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. The Chester Valley Trail is a multi-use, rail-to-trail facility that roughly follows U.S. Even saw a group walking with a large American flaga great bonus to our Labor Day ride! The new 3.9 miles will run through Upper Merion Township and Bridgeport Borough to Norristown, where it will then connect with the Schuylkill River Trail. I have a pretty poor sense of direction and never once had an issue finding the trail, just look for the green trail signs at road intersections. The county will also connect that part of the Cross County Trail at Stenton Avenue to the Wissahickon Trail with a new 2-mile extension. The Chester Valley Trail extension is considered integral to Montgomery County's trail system, Hartman said. I biked this trail for the first time a week ago, end to end - just short of 15 miles each way. Despite helping to provide a pedestrian link between the area's many malls, shopping centers and office buildings, this segment appears to be underused. I then headed out on my run going East (I think) for 3.1 miles. 29 near Wegmans is not as obnoxious as the rt. Have ridden this trail several times. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. I went to the East end and then to Rt 100. Once this occurs, the Chester Valley Trail will form part of the Schuylkill-Susquehanna Passage, a long-distance greenway that will connect Harrisburg and Philadelphia. We take a break while he plays on the playground and then off we go, back towards home. 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. It's a fine trail if you like to walk or run. The Chester Valley Trail provides opportunities for recreation and alternative transportation in the congested commercial center at the northern edge of Greater Philadelphia. The CVT gets a bit dense with crossings, cars and highway noise at either end. Be careful here. WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyones stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. :). Several of the crossings are by bridge or tunnel and some are on the street. Currently part of the trail is under repair so there is a clearly marked detour but that added 2 more crossings on a busy road. 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. Only major crossing is at rte 29 by Wegmans but even there it's ok - wait for the crossing light. This was our longest ride since starting back to riding and we were wooped at the end. Work by Chester and Montgomery Counties began in 2009 to convert the railbed into a trail. The intersection is large, so by the time you're in the middle of it, traffic is inbound and they barely slow down! Your donation will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the country. The grounds are immaculate! Next time I'll know, but the first time was not easy. At its full length, the Chester Valley Trail is planned to run from Atglen at the Chester County line to the Schuylkill River. We love this trail! I know other reviews have mentioned the lack of signage and I think this has improved. Nice clean trail. 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. It's mostly flat, though, heading back West was a BIT more difficult than the ride East. It was not tranquil especially during rush hour. On our way out we encountered an injured raccoon in the middle of the trail that had been cleaned up on the way back. Trail category: Greenway/Non-RT. Longer-term plans anticipate extending the trail even further west, to Atglen, where it will join the new Enola-Low Grade Trail. if you don't mind backpacking, there are great green areas to stop along the way and have a snack. It might get a little boring. Montgomery County is advancing another major trail project the new Cross County Trail. when this trail is complete it will be one of the better trails in the Delaware Valley, Hard to find due to confusing signage. 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. View Final Report; View Final Appendix; Project Description. Completed in 2010, this segment is already very popular with cyclists, in-line skaters, hikers, joggers, dogwalkers and parents pushing young children in strollers. SRPRA not to be confused with SEPTA is finally chugging along with plans to restore rail service connecting Reading, Pottstown, Phoenixville, and Philadelphia. The trail is asphalt all the way, and virtually level. Named for the late Robert G. Struble, a teacher, conservationist, county commissioner and Brandywine Valley . Chester County pedestrians and bicyclists will soon be able to spread out a little more. I rode the King of Prussia portion yesterday and I can't wait for it to be completed. The Chester Valley Trail Extension is a planned 3.8-mile extension of the Chester Valley Trail. The easternmost segment, in Montgomery County, extends from Warner Road east across the Schuylkill Expressway to South Gulph Road, and was built during a major highway reconstruction project. It runs too close to major highways making it quite noisy in spots. Duane Morris investigation into Central Bucks finds no discrimination against LGBTQ students, Shapiro signs first bill, expands Pa. health insurance coverage for breast cancer screenings, 3 unions at Rutgers University have reached tentative agreements. More than 1/3 of the distance is directly adjacent to 202 and the road noise is very loud. Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown . Counties: Chester. Agree some parts were not scenic and were near busy roadways but crossings were safe and clearly marked. WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community. Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. It is primarily shady and completely flat which makes it perfect for long training runs. The construction of the Chester Valley Trial extension to Downingtown will be completed in two phases. The third required me to navigate a high traffic intersection. Will definitely be back. This extension of the existing 13.5 mile trail will provide connections to the existing Struble and East Branch Brandywine Trails in the Downingtown area. Final Report. We found it well maintained, paved and wide. This unique corridor is a hidden gem that will provide for a safe and completely grade separated trail that will attract many users due to its scenic and historic quality and proximity to regional rail stations including Exton, Whitford, Downingtown, and Thorndale. Ask us a question or send an idea for a story you think we should cover. This is a well built trail that travels down Pennsylvania's Great Valley. The trail surface was all asphalt and was in superb condition; no buckling, smooth as glass. This extension of the existing 13.5 mile trail will . I did find my way to where the trail starts up again at Commerce Dr. Getting across Rt 100 is a challenge. (Courtesy Montgomery County). 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. She really enjoys going through the tunnels and over the bridges and pressing the stop traffic button at Swedesford Rd. 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. Smooth asphalt trail and well maintained with lots of shaded areas. Not too difficult and the trail is shady so for an August day it wasn't too hot. Very shady for hot days. Please direct any questions or comments you may have to Brian Styche at bstyche@chesco.org. Each of these municipalities is represented on a project Steering Committee along with representatives from other County departments and local stakeholders. There's construction at the main intersection in Exton at the moment about a mile-ish from the trail end. First, in Exton, the crossing at Rt. Chester Valley Trail spans 18.6 from Schuylkill River Trail by Trail Junction Center (75 E Lafayette St, Norristown) to 0.3 mile west of Indian Run St & Commerce Dr (Exton) . This is a great trail for those that want to get in a good workout either running or biking without battling the hills of Chester County. I WILL be back, probably many times. I can't imagine they like the trail that much as there was a lot of sand/dirt/brush washed up on the trail from the recent rains. west to the Exton Wal-Mart. %%EOF Worth the travel from Maryland. Despite its current, short length, this trail allows residents from communities south of the Schuylkill Expressway and Route 202 to walk or bike to the King of Prussia Mall. Thanks you to the Parks & Recreation Guys who have taken care of the trail and kept it plowed, ice free and safe this winter! The historic Reading Railroad is planning a comeback as Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority holds its first meeting. At its eastern end, the rail-trail connects to theSchuylkill River Trail inNorristown. I recommend starting at KoP to make the return trip slightly downhill. The 1.9-mile section of the Cross County Trail from Germantown Pike to Joshua Road is in the study phase. This feasibility study and master plan will pick up where the Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown study leaves off and will identify and evaluate potential routes for extending the Chester Valley Trail (CVT) westward across the county to connect with the future 29-mile multi-use Enola Low Grade rail trail . Riding east, there is 2 miles round trip east of the trailhead off of S. Warner Rd; as w. the western end of the trail, it's ugly but at least more interesting. Download a full copy of the final report and watch a short summary video of the recommended improvements. The road crossings provide natural stopping points to re-group. SEPTA wants to streamline bus services in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, and implement microtransit zones an on-demand door-to-door transit service. Very well maintained with good shade. Together we can reach 100% of WHYYs fiscal year goal. The trail will be constructed to be 10-12 feet wide with an asphalt or concrete surface. The westernmost segment runs for 0.8 miles in the vicinity of the Main Street at Exton shopping center. This extension connects the Chester Valley Trail with the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. The new 3.9 miles will run through Upper Merion Township and Bridgeport Borough to Norristown, where it will then connect with the Schuylkill River Trail. I essentially had to stop running for several minutes while I waited for the light to change. Does anyone know where I can park close to the trail around Wayne without the risk of getting towed? A great 14 mile trail that you can make longer or shorter to suit your needs. Took several minutes (and several again on the way back). The second phase will take the trail over US 30 and into Downingtown. Exton to Downington Section: The construction of the Chester Valley Trial extension to Downingtown will be completed in two phases. After some lunch - off to Exton where we reached the (dead) end of the trail! Highly recommended!! The project has been in the works for three years. It was understandably busy. Nice shaded parts of trail make it easier to run during summer months. In 2021, 477,092 people used the Chester Valley Trail, while 68,225 enjoyed the Schuylkill River Trail. The only crossing that is a real pain is going over Route 100 if you want to ride past Main Street at Exton. Those two pieces are projected to be completed by the end of 2024. Get a fresh perspective of people, events and trends that shape our world. Anyone who knows, I would appreciate it. The bad is that you will need to keep a close eye out for the many walkers, runners, strollers, and families. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I road this trail. Park benches were pretty common, too. It will link the existing 14.5-mile portion of the Chester Valley Trail to the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. We started in King of Prussia and before long were at Wegman's in Malvern. Instead of taking one directly across Rt 100, one is forced to divert 90 degrees away from the trail (heading northbound) to cross over Commerce Dr and then cross over Rt 100 (paralleling the trail), and then cross the opposite direction on Commerce Dr (Southward) to return to the trail on the west side of Rt 100. Trail is perfect--not even a crack. I have a Mountain bike, but this trail is good for road bikes as well. hb```}|@(a}):W{`,O2%(\zPZcGGG1b l@n 3p%X$ `a6bRV-,58'ob+Yb^%u #W! The Downingtown Center is centrally located in Chester County, about 10 miles from the Exton Center. So I visited the trail for the first time today. The trail is well used by walkers and bikers on weekdays but there was not so much traffic to make it feel crowded. I love this trail. The extension will cost $6.2 million, and it will be fully funded by federal reimbursement through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. This will likely change once future segments are finished. Used it for the first time last week. About 3 miles of the trail already exist starting at the Schuylkill River Trail in Conshohocken and going up to Germantown Pike. Speedy road bikers may not like the many road crossings over a 12 mile stretch, but a great addition to the trail system. Runs too close to busy highways and past shopping centers. Philadelphia trail linking Schuylkill and Delaware rivers closer to taking shape. This trail is perfect for local residents. This extension connects the Chester Valley Trail with the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. The Spring Garden Street Greenway would connect the Schuylkill River Trail and the Delaware River Trail, creating safe passage across Philadelphia. endstream endobj 502 0 obj <. The project was funded primarily by the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), along with capital improvement funds provided by Montgomery County. Very well-kept and nicely made. endobj 3164 0 obj >/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[85A11EC3E497704D9DBE9723DD859F08>]/Index[3150 26]/Info 3149 0 R/Length 79/Prev 22770029/Root 3151 0 R/Size 3176/Type/XRef/W . 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 . Well maintained, paved, with plenty of shade. Constantly looking over my shoulder for cyclists. When complete, the $6.2 million project will run 17.5 miles across the county, from the Schuylkill River Trail in Conshohocken to the Pennypack Trail in Upper Moreland and Bryn Athyn. It is flat, shady and immaculately maintained. The Road crossing at Rt 100 is rather bizarre. The 3.9-mile extension would stretch the existing 14.5-mile Chester Valley Trail, which runs from Exton in Chester County into King of Prussia. In the less congested western end, the trail utilizes short tunnels to cross US 202 and Swedesford Road.Theres no lack of fast food and restaurants in the retail centers along the eastern segment. Localized trails can link to the veins and the capillaries in the larger system. I just moved up to PA from FL a few months ago and while I've been an avid runner for some time, frankly the Florida topography, at least on the East coast, doesn't do much by way of hill conditioning. The middle segment, currently the longest, runs almost 4 miles from Ship Road east to Route 29. A 3.8-mile eastward extension to Norristown opened in March 2023 and connects the trail to the Schuylkill River . Fairly flat, and blacktop from start to finish, an easy ride even for beginners. I've definitely struggled a bit with the acclimation to some of the 'hillier' trails in PA/DA. The Trestle Bridge may be renovated for . I have ridden the paved portion many times with my seven year old daughter and she has no problems making a round trip. The Exton end is very flat while the King of Prussia end has a few not-too-difficult hills. My recommendation would be to drive further down (3-4 miles in the trail, around Penn medicine) and its getting quieter. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? Well maintained, plenty of benches to sit and have a drink. Please give today. on the other side. You are riding through an urban area and along some highways. 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. Smooth surface the entire length of the trail and the shade from the trees in the hot days of July was a plus. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. 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. If you are looking for a quiet bike ride in a beautiful setting, I would not suggest it. Yeah, there's a few road crossings, a couple of which are across 4-lanes, but, I'm not used to that, and it's one of those things that I can accept. So in conclusion, if in the area and want to get a few miles in, give this a try. In 2021, 477,092 people used the Chester Valley Trail, while 68,225 enjoyed the Schuylkill River Trail. But I would not want to bike this route on a weekday. The Chester Valley Trail extension is considered integral to Montgomery Countys trail system, Hartman said. Extension to identify a preferred alignment and preferred bicycle/pedestrian facility types from Downingtown to the Enola Low Grade Trail. The county will start designing the last 5-mile stretch of the trail in 2023. You can see a lot of time and money has been put into this trail since it crosses over a number of roads. 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. Trail end points: PA Route 322/Downingtown Pike (near Bradford Road Avenue) and PA Route 322/Downingtown Pike (east of the Sugars Bridge Road intersection) Trail surfaces: Asphalt. Ironton Trail near Coplay PA & the southern Henry Hudson Trail near Freehold NJ are also paved & shady, but they are no where near as long. A map of the Chester Valley Trail and its new extension in Montgomery County. The 6.4 mile of the Chester Valley Trail is expanding in both directions with construction starting this month. Much of the trail has a nice canopy of trees. This is an very good suburban rail trail that passes by a variety of businesses and residential areas. Nice trail. The installation of the new bridge over Henderson Road in Upper Merion Township for the Chester Valley Trail. The Chester Valley Trail is a planned multi-use trail from Downingtown to Norristown. Our suburban reporters want to hear from you! 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. Another time I wouldn't go further west than Rt 100 until the trail is extended further toward Downingtown, which, apparently, is to happen soon. Bill Rettew traversed the particulars for the Daily Local News. A view of the Chester Valley Trail. Started in the car park at the western end and rode all the way to KoP. lacks trail etiquette And mostly I hated the busy road crossings from Malvern on. 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. Plans call for extending it westward to Downingtown. Would recommend to families, runners, walkers alike! However, the multiple stops can get annoying if you are used to riding trails with long uninterrupted stretches. This proposed segment of the Chester Valley Trail would connect the currently planned terminus in Downingtown to the Enola Low Grade Trail in Lancaster County. 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? If you are going to do this trail you really need to read a few reviews. The newly extended 22-mile Chester Valley Trail will connect Chester and Montgomery counties to Philadelphia. Very smooth if you are on a road bike. Little loud since your close to the interstate. 501 0 obj <> endobj It was a weekday so I did not have any problems with 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. So there ends up being lots more stop and go along the path. 527 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<30715B5F81D1434990890CD627567620>]/Index[501 42]/Info 500 0 R/Length 124/Prev 659292/Root 502 0 R/Size 543/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Youll pass several small parks with picnic tables: DAmbrosia Park at 4 miles, Cedar Hollow Park at 6.6 miles, and Ecology Park at 10.1 miles. All other runs probably don't make sense here as I can get the same workout by going out my front door. Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. Visit the TrailLink map for all options and detailed directions. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. In the 3.1 miles out, I crossed 4 roads. The bulk of this section parallels Commerce Drive from Iron Lake Blvd. First time on the trail today and loved it. I'm anxioust to ride end-to-end. %PDF-1.5 % If you are looking for a great trail to hear mother nature. A nice little bridge as well as a nice little tunnel, nice scenary along the way. Love it if could connect to VF park trail, but overall a great trail whether biking, running or taking the dog for a walk. It also seemed to be a very good trail for families and I noticed many out for a group bike ride. (Courtesy of Montgomery County). 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. Otherwise, the proximity to 202 and the numerous road crossings makes the trail feel choppy and you never really feel disconnected from suburbia. Current plans call for adding five more miles to the countys 22-mile-long network of paved pedestrian trails. Officials plan to open the Chester Valley Trail extension this winter. Not one rough spot in the paving, not one piece of trash on the entire 14 mile length. I saw a lot of different types of bikes, recumbents, rollerblades, runners! 29 you need to zig and zag and wait for the traffic light and as you continue east the trail goes through the Target/Wegman's parking lot. Meet Our New Community Planning Director, Bill Deguffroy! Find more trail information and detailed trail maps on TrailLink.com. Help is close by if you have any type of accident or need help. At the Exton Park, there is a detailed trail sign and also indications of future trails, including the proposed route to link with the Schuylkill River Trail from King of Prussia.
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