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. I saw a lot of different types of bikes, recumbents, rollerblades, runners! An official website of the Chester County Government. Its shaded much of the way and successfully hides the fact that it runs very close to the 202 expressway. The Chester County Planning Commission has officially unveiled a recommended route for the Exton-to-Downingtown extension of the Chester Valley Trail. Good for casual riding. Longer-term plans anticipate extending the trail even further west, to Atglen, where it will join the new Enola-Low Grade Trail. The Chester County Parks & Recreation Department opened this trail in 1979 on part of a former Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way. To cross Rt. 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. The plan is to expand this trail one mile to the west. The CVT gets a bit dense with crossings, cars and highway noise at either end. Much of the trail has a nice canopy of trees. The Chester Valley Trail is a multi-use, rail-to-trail facility that roughly follows U.S. This trail is perfect for local residents. There are about a dozen road crossings, a couple across major highways. Bidding and construction will most likely start sometime this year. The middle segment, currently the longest, runs almost 4 miles from Ship Road east to Route 29. Visit the TrailLink map for all options and detailed directions. Routes 30 and 202 through central Chester County from West Whiteland Township east into Montgomery County. The rail-trail immediately crosses I-76 on a pedestrian bridge and heads west past retail centers and office parks along US 202. The Planning Commission is working towards determining a recommended alignment for extension of the Chester Valley Trail into the Borough of Downingtown and . 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 . You will really enjoy this one! Overall, again, a NICE TRAIL! In 2021, 477,092 people used the Chester Valley Trail, while 68,225 enjoyed the Schuylkill River Trail. But, there are a lot of BUSY road crossings on this trail; most with road crossing signals. Maintenance and operation east of County Line Road should be directed to Montgomery County Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites. Highly recommended!! Our first ride on the CVT was our last. The trail is asphalt all the way, and virtually level. This extension connects the Chester Valley Trail with the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. 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 . However, the fact that several major segments remain unbuilt, necessitating lengthy detours on busy roads, give the trail a low overall rating. (Not sure how busy it is one weekends.) Map of the Cross County Trail in Montgomery County. The trail would be just over a mile long and expand the practicality of connecting these two major transportation facilities. The project study area includes 6 Chester County municipalities: Caln Township; Downingtown Borough; East Bradford Township; East Caln Township; West Bradford Township; and, West Whiteland Township. 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. Read more about the planned trail extensions in the Daily Local News. A couple of mild, short hills face travelers in Malvern and just past PA 29. It mostly was funded with federal dollars through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program (CMAQ); Montgomery County spent about $1.97 million of its own capital funds. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. West of Church Farm School towards Exton the trail is unpaved and becomes packed gravel then old train bed with large rocks and weeds. Very well maintained with good shade. All other runs probably don't make sense here as I can get the same workout by going out my front door. So in conclusion, if in the area and want to get a few miles in, give this a try. 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. There's construction at the main intersection in Exton at the moment about a mile-ish from the trail end. Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. Portions of the trail are parallel to, or coincide with, 18th Century, Revolutionary War movements by Washington's Continental Army and British General Cornwallis' troops, after the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777. Public Meeting #3: 'DRAFT Master Plan - Recommended Alignment' was held on May 31st, 2017 at the West Whiteland Township Main Meeting Room. 0 The Chester County Planning Commission is proud to release the final Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown Feasibility Study and Master Plan.We are very excited about the potential for developing this trail in the heart of central Chester County and expanding The Circuit, Greater Philadelphia's regional trail network. Can't rate this trail until its finished but have high hopes for it. We will have to wait for the politicians to get some good weather to pat themselves on the back about what a great job they did before the trail is officially open, but in the meantimeexcept for the extreme eastern edge east of Old Eagle School Road and the extreme western edge, west of the Church Farm School, the path is open and clear of snow and ice. MAYBE it's me? It's a pretty run, homes to look at, woods, hills parts are shaded, parts are not. A few road crossings but they are not too busy and safe. endstream endobj 502 0 obj <. It's harder going then coming back, but the street crossings are minimal and non invasive, the other riders/walkers are considerate and upbeat. The construction of the Chester Valley Trial extension to Downingtown will be completed in two phases. I find it to be a valuable addition to our time as a family. What is the Chester Valley Trail Extension? hbbd```b``+@$SdExA$40,8`q L|` l@Z ".D@1#cmT#30}0 Kn 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. I rode the entire 13.5 mile trail from King of Prussia to Exton. 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. 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). This is an very good suburban rail trail that passes by a variety of businesses and residential areas. Started at the North Gulf road. Can't wait for the expansions to be completed in the coming years and ride from Downingtown to Philadelphia. A nice, flat, paved and well marked trail. Nice trail with smooth asphalt for inline skating. Is it still there? If your looking for a relaxing ride this trail isnt for you. 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. This trail is such a tease, because once it is fully finished it will be a great ride. View or download a copy of the Chester Valley Trail Extension Feasibility Study and Master Plan. Currently, a 5.1 mile section is complete, connecting Montgomery County to . In other areas, homes and office parks are along the way. Trail will be extended west to Rt. Signage makes the trail easy to follow, and the quarter mile markers are an improvement over the usual half mile markers. 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. Fortunately, this will likely change in the next few years, as major sections between Route 29 and Warner Road, and King of Prussia and Norristown, will close two of these gaps and create an unbroken trail from Ship Road to the Schuylkill River Trail. Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. (Courtesy Montgomery County). Upper Dublin is taking the lead on designing and funding its section of the trail just over 4 miles from Pennsylvania Avenue up to Welsh Road. Overall nice trail to bike and be out of the house. The entrance into the park near Church Farm School is not marked and the parking lot is not complete. This is a well built trail that travels down Pennsylvania's Great Valley. I recommend starting at KoP to make the return trip slightly downhill. I found it unsafe since many of the bike riders do not observe the 15mph speed limit that is clearly marked on the pavement and is appropriate for a multi-use trail. But once you get some distance from 202 it is a downright nice ride. I then headed out on my run going East (I think) for 3.1 miles. This trail is paved, 12 feet in width, and will eventually be 22 miles long. Definitely more downhill slope going towards King of Prussia. Struble Trail Description. Only about 500 ft of total elevation after doing a down and back. There are several road crossings that require (and have) crossing controls. The only real problem is the many many crossings. Brandywine Conservancy is working with Caln Township and the Chester County Planning Commission on a feasibility study for its portion of Chester County's Chester Valley Trail West extension, which the previously completed study refers to as the "Beaver Creek Trail.". Battery-powered wheelchairs, dog walking under leash, and strollers are also permitted. Pursue grant funding for design, right-of-way, and construction of the Chester Valley Trail Extension. I'm more interested in the planned extension eastward to Norristown to connect to the Schuylkill River trail, on which I frequently bike. 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. At its eastern end, the rail-trail connects to theSchuylkill River Trail inNorristown. Speedy road bikers may not like the many road crossings over a 12 mile stretch, but a great addition to the trail system. 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. There were a couple of maintenance stations along the way. Overall I look forward to riding the trail again when the next expansion phase is completed. Named for the late Robert G. Struble, a teacher, conservationist, county commissioner and Brandywine Valley . Trail category: Greenway/Non-RT. 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. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. 501 0 obj <> endobj I have an Electra Loft. Once implemented, there will be an additional 10.1 miles of trail including three new trailheads and connections to the existing Struble and East Branch Brandywine trails in the Downingtown area. Find more trail information and detailed trail maps on TrailLink.com. There are a fair amount of road crossing with two being busy four lane highways but they all either have signals or stop signs. WHYY thanks our sponsors become a WHYY sponsor, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program (CMAQ). Also a lot of stops because of those roads. The 1.3-mile section from Joshua Road to Stenton Avenue is projected to start construction in 2023. About the Trail Formed in 1850 by the Philadelphia and Reading Company, the Chester Valley Railroad stretched 22 miles between Bridgeport and Downingtown.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.Chester County is expecting to extend the . This can also be viewed as a negative as I was passing people and getting passed by cyclists. SEPTA wants to streamline bus services in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, and implement microtransit zones an on-demand door-to-door transit service. Meanwhile, the Schuylkill River Trail, which runs through East Coventry and North Coventry townships, will have four miles added to its current 5.75 miles this spring. 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) . There is lots of green space on both sides of the trail so that most of the time you don't realize that you are in the middle of quite a built-up area. A great 14 mile trail that you can make longer or shorter to suit your needs. Completed in 2010, this segment is already very popular with cyclists, in-line skaters, hikers, joggers, dogwalkers and parents pushing young children in strollers. Smooth asphalt trail and well maintained with lots of shaded areas. Is the plan to connect to that?? According to a recent Chester Valley Trail Extension survey, respondents would like to see a connection to historical landmarks along the Trail. Additionally, 202 can be a bit noisy. One was in a development and had no traffic. So I visited the trail for the first time today. Overall, I think CVRT is more a commuter trail than recreational trail. The Chester Valley Trail is a planned multi-use trail from Downingtown to Norristown. Chester County pedestrians and bicyclists will soon be able to spread out a little more. Work by Chester and Montgomery Counties began in 2009 to convert the railbed into a trail. I have visited this trail more than any other trail in PA, NJ, DE, and MD. We were both very comfortable. 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. 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. Liked the fix it stations. I will definitely be back. Smooth surface the entire length of the trail and the shade from the trees in the hot days of July was a plus. 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. 100 crossing, but you need to be alert. The county will start designing the last 5-mile stretch of the trail in 2023. Park benches were pretty common, too. estimated completion in November 2013 from Paoli,cedar hollow road to Valley Forge Park. Montgomery County Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites, Chester County's Exton Park Site - 132 Church Farm Lane, Exton, Battle of the Clouds Park - 125 N Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, East Whiteland Municipal Building - 209 Conestoga Rd, Malvern, West Whiteland Municipal Building - 101 E Commerce Drive, Exton, Battery powered wheel chairs by persons with disabilities, Strollers, including those connected to bicycles, Equestrian use, including horseback riding or carriage use, Motorized vehicles, including motor vehicles (excluding authorized vehicles). (the back.) 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. Length: 2.5 miles. It then continues for an additional 1500 feet before abruptly dead-ending at a clump of bushes. Little loud since your close to the interstate. If the CVT was designed for such high speeds there would be mandatory lanes for bike riders. Fun outing overall. It IS a really nice trail! The down side of this trail is the deafening noise from the traffic on 202 and that theres not much in the way of scenery. But that takes you to Boot Road. All blacktop! The extensions recommended alignment is to develop the trail within the inactive Philadelphia and Thorndale low-grade rail corridor which parallels the Amtrak Keystone Corridor or the Main Line between Exton and Thorndale. 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. Second, I love the quarter mile markers. The additional mileage is coming to the Chester Valley Trail and the Schuylkill River Trail. Chester Valley Trail extension spotlights connection to Norristown's Schuylkill River Trail. 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). 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. And there is a massive hill between that area, and where the Downingtown Trail is along 322. Will definitely be back. 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. Very smooth if you are on a road bike. Well maintained, plenty of benches to sit and have a drink. On Monday, March 13, 2023, the Montgomery County Commissioners joined with other local officials to cut the ribbon on the Chester Valley Trail Extension, a 3.8-mile extension of the Chester Valley Trail. Localized trails can link to the veins and the capillaries in the larger system. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. I can't wait for winter 2022 for extension to Sckuylkill river trail in Norristown. the work area is estimated at 85% complete. A 3.8-mile eastward extension to Norristown opened in March 2023 and connects the trail to the Schuylkill River . Agree some parts were not scenic and were near busy roadways but crossings were safe and clearly marked. 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. It's not congested like the Schuylkill River Trail. But I WAS FRUSTRATED! Completing this trail gap between two of the areas most significant Circuit Trails is a significant milestone in the regions trail development efforts. 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. 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. If you are going to do this trail you really need to read a few reviews. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? The trail . Trail is crowded with multiple users- bikes, jiggers, skateboarders, etc. These trails are flat and family friendly and often have a shoulder for running or stepping off the trail. The westernmost portion, through the still largely undeveloped Exton Park, has an uneven, gravel and stone surface, which gives way to smooth asphalt next to the Valley Corporate Center and continues east to Route 29. When is soon? The road noise, mostly from 202, and the several crossings (Rt 100 could really benefit from a bridge) stop me from giving it 5 stars. She really enjoys going through the tunnels and over the bridges and pressing the stop traffic button at Swedesford Rd. The trail section near Exton out to CFS has a lot of points where you cross traffic so be careful. 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. The drawbacks (frequent road crossings and occasional visual proximity to rte 202) are easily outweighed by the quality of the trail. It's mostly flat, though, heading back West was a BIT more difficult than the ride East. There are mileage markers almost every half mile, and also some signs for points of interest. In the 3.1 miles out, I crossed 4 roads. I rode the King of Prussia portion yesterday and I can't wait for it to be completed. Pros - Relatively flat and straight. 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. Lots of benches to stop and take a break. Cons - The scenery is less than ideal. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY. Lose to opening. One mile of trail has already been built in Montgomery County. if you don't mind backpacking, there are great green areas to stop along the way and have a snack. Construction of segments that will close the gap from Ship Road to Iron Lake Blvd. Hours of operation are from 1/2 before sunrise to 1/2 hour past sunset. 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). They're pretty easily managed. Montgomery County has seen a surge in trail users since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Incoming traffic has the right of way and does not stop. We rode the entire length out and back on a 95 deg day. The trail is broken up by numerous street crossings. Cross-country skiing is permitted in the winter months however the trail is maintained by Chester County as a commuter transportation facility and as such it is plowed of snow after other County government facilities are cleared. Activities: Biking, walking, jogging, rollerblading. 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. Each of these municipalities is represented on a project Steering Committee along with representatives from other County departments and local stakeholders. Parking lot is large and new. Those two pieces are projected to be completed by the end of 2024. The bulk of this section parallels Commerce Drive from Iron Lake Blvd. The recommended alignment connects the existing CVT to the inactive Philadelphia and Thorndale (P+T) line, which runs parallel to but separate from the SEPTA/Amtrak main line for 7.4 miles. Public Meeting #1: 'Introduction' was held October 8th, 2015 at the West Whiteland Township Building Main Meeting Room. Wide and clean, this trail is well suited for recreational riders. 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. So the Chester Valley Trail was a site for sore (hamstrings) eyes! It's an easy 30mi (end-to-end and back again). We biked northeastward to the end of the trail along King of Prussia Blvd and returned to the Exton Trailhead and continued to the southwest end of the trail. Your donation will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the country. Does anyone have firm facts about the path that the existing Chester Valley Trail is going to use to get to Downingtown? There is a 0.8-mile spur trail that splits from the main route by the intersection of Commerce Drive and S Pottstown Pike/Main Street. The trail is very enjoyable. 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. 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 . 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. %%EOF 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. According to Trail markings, bicycle speed is limited to 15 miles per hour. We will go back after a few more trails to see if we still think the same. I did this trail back in 2011 and was not thrilled. 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. A map of the Chester Valley Trail and its new extension in Montgomery County. Constantly looking over my shoulder for cyclists. The trail is well-maintained. Primarily residential on one side and highway (202?) 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. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. TWICE, on the way back, I LITERALLY got LOST! That would be nice to include on the trail information page. 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 road crossings provide natural stopping points to re-group. For all practical purposes you have to cross three roads, each with a long wait for the light and crossing signal. Possible alignments are looked at the Route 30 Multimodal Transportation Study.