Pretty flat. This trail is wide and paved. A couple of mild, short hills face travelers in Malvern and just past PA 29. Elevated views, stunning valley scenes, and a canyon-like descent are all possible in a proposed 3.5-mile extension of the . walkers too. Copyright 2023 American Community Journals, LLC |, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Overall, again, a NICE TRAIL! He has a mountain bike. if you don't mind backpacking, there are great green areas to stop along the way and have a snack. I know other reviews have mentioned the lack of signage and I think this has improved. I'm just curious what the plan is, if anyone knows. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? 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. The middle segment, currently the longest, runs almost 4 miles from Ship Road east to Route 29. All in all the CVT is a nice trail, one that I would like to do every year. Our first ride on the CVT was our last. Also a lot of stops because of those roads. It's harder going then coming back, but the street crossings are minimal and non invasive, the other riders/walkers are considerate and upbeat. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Overall nice trail to bike and be out of the house. Battery-powered wheelchairs, dog walking under leash, and strollers are also permitted. Home Planning Topics Transportation Trail Planning Chester Valley Trail Extension Study. Counties: Chester. Before we send you to , pleasesubscribe to our daily newsletter. The trail would be just over a mile long and expand the practicality of connecting these two major transportation facilities. It runs too close to major highways making it quite noisy in spots. Montgomery Countys fully accessible 5-mile portion of the Chester Valley Trail now links the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown to the existing segment in Chester County that extends 14.5 miles west from Tredyffrin Township to Exton. Struble Trail Description. I almost never give out 5 stars and never give out a single star so a three is not bad in my book. Went for a bike ride on this trail with my boys and it was fantastic! They are rarely on the trail and more so in the nearby woods. But once you get some distance from 202 it is a downright nice ride. SRPRA not to be confused with SEPTA is finally chugging along with plans to restore rail service connecting Reading, Pottstown, Phoenixville, and Philadelphia. About 3 miles of the trail already exist starting at the Schuylkill River Trail in Conshohocken and going up to Germantown Pike. Will definitely ride it on our next trip to PA. Those two pieces are projected to be completed by the end of 2024. Just needs to be MARKED better at several places! I essentially had to stop running for several minutes while I waited for the light to change. The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inbox. 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. I'm basing my rating on comparison to other trails I've ridden. 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. It was a weekday so I did not have any problems with traffic. 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. Please direct any questions or comments you may have to Brian Styche at bstyche@chesco.org. Chester Valley Trail | Pennsylvania Trails | TrailLink Anyone who knows, I would appreciate it. A new major trail in Montgomery County to open this winter PDF TII Projects by Legislative District in Chester County Major Corridors Montgomery County officials are moving forward with two major trail projects that will make it easier for folks to travel through the county on foot or bicycle. 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. Public Meeting #3: 'DRAFT Master Plan - Recommended Alignment' was held on May 31st, 2017 at the West Whiteland Township Main Meeting Room. It is a favorite destination for walkers, runners, families, and bikers since it is convenient to a large population. Chester Valley Multi Trail - Downingtown, Pennsylvania Clean trail and a decent amount of tree coverage at most points for those hot sunny days. Bill Rettew traversed the particulars for the Daily Local News. There is a short section on the northern part of the trail which is more exposed to sun and Rte 202 traffic noise. 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. It is flat, shady and immaculately maintained. The eastern most section was recently added which extends the trail to Montgomery county. Took several minutes (and several again on the way back). Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown 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 36.0 Seeking Funding 2023 -2030 Struble Trail Extension Completion of multi -use trail from Marsh Creek State Park to Reeds Road Park benches were pretty common, too. A few road crossings but they are not too busy and safe. The new trail section is a 10- to 12-foot-wide, paved, multiuse path that is part of the Circuit Trails network, a vast regional network of hundreds of miles of multiuse trails in the Greater Philadelphia region that is growing each year. %PDF-1.5 % Good track to work on your speed. A look into SEPTAs new transit systems proposed for the Philadelphia suburbs. Exton to Downington Section: The construction of the Chester Valley Trial extension to Downingtown will be completed in two phases. On March 13th, 2023 a 3.8 mile extension of the Chester Valley Trail officially opened in Montgomery County. This will likely change once future segments are finished. The Chester Valley Trail will generally follow a now-abandoned rail corridor and will connect Chester County's Struble Trail in Exton with Montgomery County's Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. I then headed out on my run going East (I think) for 3.1 miles. The bulk of this section parallels Commerce Drive from Iron Lake Blvd. The trail is suppose to be 12 wide and it is in places but at most crossings it is a maze to get through especially when the traffic is heavy and a wide range of people from novices to experienced road bikers who are impatient with the rest of us. MARKINGS!!! I did find my way to where the trail starts up again at Commerce Dr. Getting across Rt 100 is a challenge. I only walked a small section, about 3 miles but it was clean and perfect. Montgomery County has seen a surge in trail users since the COVID-19 pandemic started. There are about a dozen road crossings, a couple across major highways. If you are going to do this trail you really need to read a few reviews. 29 near Wegmans is not as obnoxious as the rt. The Downingtown Trestle Bridge, built between 1903 & 1906, is 1451 feet long and 122 feet high over the Brandywine Creek. 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. Chester Valley Trail. The Chester County Planning Commission is proud to release the final Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown Feasibility Study and Master Plan. I went to the East end and then to Rt 100. It is relatively flat but still a good workout. this is not it! I ride on the trail too, but I don't understand why bikers choose to break the speed limit rule on a trail that is so frequently used by runners and walkers - especially when it is crowded. 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. 542 0 obj <>stream WHYY thanks our sponsors become a WHYY sponsor, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program (CMAQ). 100 intersection is not worth crossing --> 3 crossings, plus the trail west of it is both short & ugly (1 mile round trip). The Trestle Bridge may be renovated for . 100 in the next phase and eventually all the way to Downingtown so you cannot yet gain access at Ship Rd. We've started at both the Exton end and the King of Prussia end (2 different days) and in both cases rode about 7 miles to Media, where we had lunch, and then did the return trip. Get a fresh perspective of people, events and trends that shape our world. 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. Length: 2.5 miles. One mile of trail has already been built in Montgomery County. Next time I'll know, but the first time was not easy. It also seemed to be a very good trail for families and I noticed many out for a group bike ride. Section from Wegmans out to Chesterbrook is pretty open and from Chesterbrook to end is also uninterrupted for the most part with crossing roads. The trail is great. Beaver Creek Trail | Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art I love running on this trail! Around the 8 mile point, the scenery is more open, with farms along the trail. The entrance into the park near Church Farm School is not marked and the parking lot is not complete. WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community. The county saw 2 million path visitors in 2021, and more than 2.8 million users as of November 2022. Fabulous ride not at all marred by the multiple road crossings. 2023 The Circuit Trails. One was in a development and had no traffic. The road crossings provide natural stopping points to re-group. 36.0 Seeking Funding TBD Paoli Pike Trail: Airport Road to Ellis Lane (Segment A) Multi-use trail along Paoli Pike (0.15 miles) . The extension will cost $6.2 million, and it will be fully funded by federal reimbursement through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. Nice shaded parts of trail make it easier to run during summer months. All motorists very considerate. Many points of access as the mostly tree-line trail runs besides neighborhoods, corporate parks, and shopping centers. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? Chester Valley Trail Public Meeting Recap - Circuit Trails The 1.3-mile section from Joshua Road to Stenton Avenue is projected to start construction in 2023. A map of the Chester Valley Trail and its new extension in Montgomery County. Within Montgomery County, the Chester Valley Trail passes . Hours of operation are from 1/2 before sunrise to 1/2 hour past sunset. Chester County trails more than just recreation - Daily Local Definitely recommend for a family bike ride. The 6.4 mile of the Chester Valley Trail is expanding in both directions with construction starting this month. The Schuylkill River Trail stretches from Philadelphia to beyond Reading with many connecting trails which will result in an uninterrupted trail system easily exceeding 100 miles (after connectors are completed-check back in 2013 for that ride). Town Tours & Village Walks Program Wraps up 27th Year, Brownfield, Greyfield, & Infill Development. Beautiful views and even have several mile of tree cover as well. Final Report. For more information, please contact Brian Styche, CCPC's Transportation Services Director at 610-344-6285 or bstyche@chesco.org. . Map of the Cross County Trail in Montgomery County. On other crossings you just have to look carefully both ways. It will offer access to Philadelphia and the western parts of Montgomery County. The 1.9-mile section of the Cross County Trail from Germantown Pike to Joshua Road is in the study phase. 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. Transportation Priority Projects in Chester County Our suburban reporters want to hear from you! Longer-term plans anticipate extending the trail even further west, to Atglen, where it will join the new Enola-Low Grade Trail. Is it still there? Looking forward to the extension towards Exton which looks. This was our longest ride since starting back to riding and we were wooped at the end. 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. 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. Extension Route of Chester Valley Trail Revealed - VISTA.Today Is the plan to connect to that?? Fourth very nice bathroom and parking area at Exton Park on Church Farm Road. We were both very comfortable. I will definitely be back. The Road crossing at Rt 100 is rather bizarre. The trail is well used by walkers and bikers on weekdays but there was not so much traffic to make it feel crowded. The study made 3 recommendations: In 2011 Tredyffrin Township did a feasibility study to examine a connection from the Chester Valley Trail to the Paoli Train Station. I use those for track type running workouts. Formed in 1850 by the Philadelphia and Reading Company, the Chester Valley Railroad stretched 22 miles between Bridgeport and Downingtown. We walked our bikes across the 3 intersections around the work since we were determined to get to the end of the trail. To get from Clover Mill Road to Boot Road, and then down 322 to where the existing trail begins, there is a massive hilly area. endstream endobj startxref Superb trail as far as smooth and maintained, but the road noise from Rt 202 made parts of the trail unbearable. 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. Montgomery County is advancing another major trail project the new Cross County Trail. SEPTA wants to streamline bus services in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, and implement microtransit zones an on-demand door-to-door transit service. 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. 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 . :( OK so NOW the GOOD! 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. Weve ridden short distances on this trail toward King of Prussia ( ride to K of P Town Center and eat outside at one of the many restaurants) but last week was Our first excursion towards Exton. A popular well kept asphalt trail of 14 miles. In 2021, 477,092 people used the Chester Valley Trail, while 68,225 enjoyed the Schuylkill River Trail. The trail will be constructed to be 10-12 feet wide with an asphalt or concrete surface. From that point, Montgomery County has built a link over the Schuylkill Expressway to South Gulph Road in Upper Merion. Two of them had pedestrian yields that at least meant I could cross. There are multiple places to park and access the trail, but they can be difficult to find initially. The installation of the new bridge over Henderson Road in Upper Merion Township for the Chester Valley Trail. This can also be viewed as a negative as I was passing people and getting passed by cyclists. Work is currently underway to extend the trail roughly three miles further to reach the Schuylkill River Trail. There are mileage markers almost every half mile, and also some signs for points of interest. 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. The Chester Valley Trail is also part of the Circuit Trails, a developing 800-mile urban network of trails in Greater Philadelphia, of which about 350 miles are complete. Wide and clean, this trail is well suited for recreational riders. It was raining, but still plenty of people out and about. This trail is wide and very well maintained. There are several road crossings that require (and have) crossing controls. I think between the western park and County line Rd it runs about 12 miles and that is like 100 miles and novice seniors like myself. We will go back after a few more trails to see if we still think the same. When the missing link is completed in Montgomery County it will connect to the Schuylkill Valley Trail. 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) . 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. You can get to Valley Forge National Park either via The Schuylkill River Trail or via the trail system in Chesterbrook (being formerly developed as part of the Patriot's Path to Valley Forge). On top of that, truck traffic is extremely heavy and frequently blocks the intersection. Overall, I think CVRT is more a commuter trail than recreational trail. Having said that, on the 4th of July it was easy to maintain 15 mph--we were never in a bunch-up that required us to slow down. If you are looking for a quiet bike ride in a beautiful setting, I would not suggest it. Luckily, I saw a gentleman and his daughter unloading bikes and asked - well, it was STILL not the easiest to find! I've definitely struggled a bit with the acclimation to some of the 'hillier' trails in PA/DA. Worth the travel from Maryland. Chester Valley Trail | Tredyffrin Township Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more! The location is home to one of the largest concentrations of employment and population in the Philadelphia region outside of Center City, and the trail provides a key connection of "The Circuit . Chester Valley Trail West - Chesco Planning Once completed, the Chester Valley Trail will form a prominent link in southeast Pennsylvania's emerging greenway network, with connections to the Uwchlan and Struble trails, several local parks and Valley Forge via Patriot's Path, another multi-use trail currently in development. PDF Transportation Priority Projects in Chester County Status - June 2022 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. Named for the late Robert G. Struble, a teacher, conservationist, county commissioner and Brandywine Valley . Struble Trail | Pennsylvania Trails | TrailLink You will really enjoy this one! 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). Public Meeting #1: 'Introduction' was held October 8th, 2015 at the West Whiteland Township Building Main Meeting Room. Chester County pedestrians and bicyclists will soon be able to spread out a little more. Lots of bikers, walkers and families on this trail but majority were friendly as you passed. The rail-trail immediately crosses I-76 on a pedestrian bridge and heads west past retail centers and office parks along US 202. I quite literally DID NOT KNOW WHERE the trail was! Despite helping to provide a pedestrian link between the area's many malls, shopping centers and office buildings, this segment appears to be underused. Nice trail with smooth asphalt for inline skating. Chester County is expecting to extend the trail into Downingtown. We started in King of Prussia and before long were at Wegman's in Malvern. Some sections of CVRT are quite lovely; passing by parks and wooded areas. Your donation will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the country. I am only giving this trail three stars, not because the trail is a poor experience, but it is a short trail for me, and there are numerous road crossings. Speedy road bikers may not like the many road crossings over a 12 mile stretch, but a great addition to the trail system. Check or FAQs for more common login questions. 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). Delaware County Community College consolidating Exton, Downingtown The 10- to 12-foot-wide asphalt path, which is open daily, 8 amsunset, has a slight uphill grade from King of Prussia to Exton. 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. Additionally, 202 can be a bit noisy. Doubt that I'll do all 28 miles in the future: a) Riding west, the rt. Great Job!! Because of all of the rain this, have ridden this & other paved trails more than I would like. (Courtesy of Montgomery County). Chester Valley Trail - Extension to Downingtown - YouTube Meet Our New Community Planning Director, Bill Deguffroy! Chester County trails more than just recreation - The Mercury It is a nice long trail with things to see and do easily accessible from the trail. Emily Rizzo is WHYY News suburban reporter covering Bucks and Montgomery counties. It's mostly flat, though, heading back West was a BIT more difficult than the ride East. In 2021, 477,092 people used the Chester Valley Trail, while 68,225 enjoyed the Schuylkill River Trail. 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. I imagine some of this has to do with the newness of the trail. TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy, We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors, Schuylkill River Trail by Trail Junction Center (75 E Lafayette St, Norristown) and 0.3 mile west of Indian Run St & Commerce Dr (Exton). 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. Smooth surface the entire length of the trail and the shade from the trees in the hot days of July was a plus. The drawbacks (frequent road crossings and occasional visual proximity to rte 202) are easily outweighed by the quality of the trail. pts 4 downingtown train station rail station, parking, ped access bp 2 chester valley trail extension to downingtown multi-use trail bp 3 chester valley trail: exton to oaklands multi-use trail bp 12 brandywine trail ext: bradford av to boot rd multi-use trail bp 30 business 30: lloyd ave to train station streetscapes 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 . The landscape opens up beyond here, with more farms and less congestion.While Valley Forge is located north of the trail, other historic locations of the Revolutionary War are closer by. Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. PennDot really needs to put in a crosswalk for the trail and walkers on the south side of Commerce Dr. As previously stated, the trail surface is smooth and well maintained. The bad is that you will need to keep a close eye out for the many walkers, runners, strollers, and families. Please give today. The crossings are well designed to keep cyclists and pedestrians safe. Heads up tho! 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 . 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 SURE, it's EASY for someone who knows it already, which obviously includes those who designed it and put it together, and don't realize where the "fails" in the markings are, and NEXT time, and there WILL BE next TIMES, I'll know, but, again, there are places where it needs to be better marked. This trail does track w/ R-202 along KoP which can get pretty noisy but for the most part its pretty quiet, hence the 4 stars, not 5.