Hiking Trails in Valley Forge Park            

                                                                                       A quiet place along Valley Creek Trail

You won't lack for places to walk - Valley Forge Park has a nice variety of trails for both day trippers and those who want a bit of a challenge.

First, go here and download a PDF map of the trails in the park. This will take you to the official Valley Forge National Historic Park site, and this map is theirs. Please read all the information regarding closed trails and make sure to read the legend on specific trail usage. If you're in the park, the Park Service has come out with a nice trail map. I picked one up over by the Wayne's Woods parking area, but I suspect they're readily available throughout the park. If you can't locate one, ask for one at the Visitor's Center.

The Park discourages visitors from walking through fields for a few reasons - it disturbs the ecology and the habitat of the animals who live here, and the fields are loaded with deer ticks, which carry Lyme disease. Please respect the animals' homes. Instead, take advantage of the numerous trails here.

Easy Trails

Schuylkill River Trail:

This trail runs along the Schuylkill River (pronounced "school kill" or "skookle" by the locals) and is approximately 4 miles long. A nice flat course with pretty foliage on one side and the river on the other. Trains on the other side of the river make their presence known every half hour or so. Perfect for walking, running or biking.

Two ways to access this trail -

From the Betzwood side - Take 422 West from Valley Forge and get off at the Trooper exit. Stay to the left. Follow the road to the left again and when you come to the end of that short road, make a right down into the parking area. You can also picnic here next to the river. There are restrooms, grills and two different trails.

From the Pawlings Road side - take Rte. 23 West through the park to the stoplight at Country Club Rd/Ferry Lane. Make a right. Follow Ferry Lane to Pawlings Road. Make a right. Go under the railroad trestle, over the bridge and make an immediate right into the parking area.

Difficulty rating: EASY

The Park Loop

Honestly, I don't know what it's called. But it's a 7-mile trek around most of the park. Users can start just about anywhere. It gives visitors a great view of the park and takes you past some of the highlights of the park. There are a few steep climbs, so be aware.

Difficulty rating: EASY TO MEDIUM

 Valley Creek Trail:

This trail, starting just off Rte. 23 near Washington's headquarters or at the Covered Bridge on Rte. 252, is a relaxing, easy walk along Valley Creek. No major hills, though the trail is not paved. You can see trout in the creek and a duck or two.

Difficulty rating: EASY

Difficult Trails

Perkiomen Trail:

Located adjacent to the Betzwood parking area, this paved trail stretches over 22 miles into Philadelphia and about 19 miles in the other direction. Bicycles, roller blades and walkers/runners are welcome. It's challenging because of the distance and the slight grades. A nice short stroll or a challenging day trip.

Difficulty rating: EASY to HARD

Mount Joy Trail:

Don't let the name fool you - this is a challenging trail. It starts out lovely - you pick up the trail head just off the paved trail adjacent to Inner Line Drive. You'll walk through some beautiful underbrush and foliage. Then it becomes a little rocky. Then a little steep. Then a little steeper until you're in some pretty remote, rocky territory. The trail runs close to Inner Line Drive most of the way, but then takes an unexpected turn and leads you down, down, down toward Rte. 23. However, what goes down must come up, and you're in for a steep climb back up. Fortunately, you can bail out in a number of places along the way.

Difficulty rating: MEDIUM to HARD 

Mount Misery Trail:

Aptly named, this trail starts in the parking area just across from the Knox Library in the park (cross the covered bridge, make a right into the parking area). Mount Misery is a somewhat grueling ten-minute hike to the top, and the entire trail takes a somewhat experienced walker/runner about 40 minutes to complete the loop. Things you'll see - mountain laurel aplenty! Going down the other side of Mount Misery you'll come across an old foundation with a spring running from it. Further down the trail, you'll be parallel to Valley Creek, where you can easily see trout.

Difficulty rating: HARD

Horseshoe Trail:

Connected to the Mount Misery Trail at the top of Mount Misery, this trail is somewhat difficult to follow. It stretches a mile into the woods before dead-ending in a development. There are no signs pointing users to which way they should turn. It's rocky, and users should be aware that there are metal rods sticking out of the ground on the trail - not great for horses or for soft-shod runners.

Difficulty rating: HARD (because you have to climb to get to it)

Trails Beyond the Park

Horseshoe Trail:

It is part of the park in one spot, but this trail is mostly off of park property. If you follow it far enough, you'll reach the Appalachian Trail.  Just know that to do that, you're going to have to walk 140 miles to get there. Not exactly an easy day trip!

Horseshoe Trail information here.

Chesterbrook Trail:

If you follow the dirt road from Yellow Springs Road that runs past the Knox Library, you'll come to a bridge crossing Valley Creek upstream. You'll also come to the beginning of the Chesterbrook Trail, a paved trail that winds among a very nice community. Lovely sights and a nice gentle walk. Unfortunately, there's little information on this trail. Below, however, is a map that gives a decent view of the trail.

Difficulty rating: EASY

Chesterbrook Trail.

Schuykill Canal Trail to Norristown Farm Park:

The waterway itself is only 2.5 miles long. But if you drive through Phoenixville on Starr Street (make right off Rte. 23 onto Starr Street at the Getty station) and make a right onto Bridge Street, you'll cross the bridge and as you begin down the other side, you'll make a left (it's a blind left 3/4 of the way over the bridge - easy to miss) and drive to the end of the one-lane road. You'll be parallel to the canal on your right and the river on your left.  Park at the end near the Locktender's House. Go across the new bridge and stay to the left. This trail winds through the woods along the river, or you can climb the paths left by others, which will bring you way above the river (it's quite a hike, so be warned). In summer, you'll be inundated with poison ivy all around, but this is an excellent late-fall walk.

Difficulty rating: EASY to HARD

More about the Schuykill Canal here.