Parks. The scenery is great and when passing above Port Clinton you can look down at the Reading and Northern's engine facilities and offices. Phoenixville Celebrates Opening of Schuylkill River Trail - Phoenixville, PA - A new two-mile segment will help narrow a wide gap in the planned 130-mile trail from Pottsville to Philadelphia. Nice ride and pretty well kept. I also suggest you generally research the trail maps before you ride so you'll know what to do if a sign is missing... You'll also find a new parking area with restrooms and water fountains just completed in Birdsboro. The trail crosses the Schuylkill River one more time west of Douglassville. This very day I ventured up beyond the Reading Area Community College and found that section a bit disappointing in condition, although passable. As of mid-2019, over 71 miles of trail have been built, enough to classify the system as the unified Schuylkill River Trail, as opposed to a series of stand-alone greenways regarded as separate projects. Didn't ride that one--that's a future project. Reading, PA. Add Rating. and some color still on the trees, we enjoyed a great ride. I was visiting family in the Phoenixville area in July of 2013 and I read reviews regarding this trail. 0.7 mile. There is a bike lane, but I ride the sidewalk. Instead, this trail is part of the proposed "Schuylkill East Trail" which would be a similar long distance trail. After a 5.5-mile gap, the trail resumes on the eastern shore of the river in Pottstown. About the Program. Turn right to head south toward Philadelphia. There had been a few drainage issues when the trail was first opened but they apparently have all been remedied. But, when I got to Birdsboro, there were no longer any trail signs. I've been riding this trail since the mid-90s, I think. Turn right onto Island Ave., and go 0.4 mile. A signed, on-road route guides users through a 4-mile gap between Gibraltar and Birdsboro. This is a very nice run. I got my chance twice in February, 2010. The trail is in dire need of TLC and it has been like this for at least 2 months if not longer. A small meditation garden is also located off the trail. The bike trail is usually less crowded and they close the road to cars and trucks on the weekends from 7AM to 5PM from April to October so you can ride on all four lanes. The trail then became asphalt and I was able to open up the speed. Heading into Pottstown you'll eventually be riding on asphalt, and some areas aren't shaded by the tree canopy, but it's super nice riding! Currently 5.75 miles of trail are open in Chester County. The good news is that they are improving the trail along Kelly drive to be more than a skinny sidewalk. However, the nice paved trail ends less than mile inside the city boundaries. I decided to do a ride I dubbed the Liberty Bell Ride. Today I rode the Bartram Trail from the Hamburg trailhead to the Auburn Bridge and back. This trail is great if you like to ride a lot of miles. The trail also has spots that need repaired with gravel. The Pottstown river park is very nice and was very active w/both foot and bike traffic due to the 72 degree March weather. Just wish the trail was longer. A big downside to skiing the trail is that neither the Hamburg or Auburn access roads and lots are plowed at all in winter. The old Schuylkill River Canal, now just a swampy ditch, parallels the segment through the Rec. If you cross the FALLS BRIDGE and make a left at the end you will be on MLK DRIVE or WEST RIVER DRIVE. About half way to Pottstown, the trail was more firm and the remnants of horse "pot holes" was gone. The trail resumes behind the athletic fields off Armorcast Road on the town's east end, with the nearby, now-abandoned smokestacks attesting to Birdsboro's past as a mill town. Just pass the Port Clinton rail station you have to make a right onto another trail that goes down a steep hill, cross a bridge and into town. It's easy to get to and the trail is always well groomed. I have been riding this trail for a couple of years now. I prefer the section from landingville to auburn and a short road ride to the auburn trail head. There are currently over 60 miles of finished trail, including a 26-mile stretch from the City of Philadelphia through Montgomery County to Phoenixville in Chester County. This trail extends further than what Rails to Trails shows by about three or four miles to the north through the city limits of Reading, PA to Grings Mill recreation area/park. After the SEPTA bus station follow RIDGE AVENUE straight into East Falls. It was a good walk - though I was a little disappointed as to how little I saw of the river. Had a terrific ride on this trail yesterday. As is, the trail is a nice 6 mile ride from the trail head at Hamburg to the Auburn Bridge. It was not until 1995--19 years later--that there was an unbroken trail from the Betzwood picnic area to Port Royal Avenue in Philadelphia. Phoenixville Bridge To Be Removed On Schuylkill River Trail - Phoenixville, PA - Construction crews will remove an old bridge on the Schuylkill River Trail in Phoenixville early next week. Not true. Most of its route follows abandoned rail lines, and two segments are "rails with trails," paralleling active freight lines. I consider myself to be very lucky to live close by and to have the advantage of using the Schuylkill Trail and I want to say Thank You to all who are involved. The population is 16,440 as of the 2010 Census. Unless you are gnarly mountain biker able to carry your bike down/up steep grades this would involve leaving your bike, scrambling down a precipitous section of the AT hiking trail (perhaps 40-50 feet of vertical drop, and did I mention it was steep), and hiking a short way into town, and then climbing back up. THIS IS BAD for bikes, and to compound it, it is not only a highway, but one that is privately owned. The Schuylkill River Trail (/ ˈ s k uː l k ɪ l / SKOOL-kil, locally /-k əl /) is a multi-use trail along the banks of the Schuylkill River in southeastern Pennsylvania.Partially complete as of 2018, the trail is ultimately planned to run about 140 miles (230 km) from the river's headwaters in Schuylkill … How far to extend the pavement depends on conditions at each intersection. Montgomery County portion of trail needs maintenance to the pavement. Not cool for a road bike. The outdoor restoration of the Victorian era statuary, with a tribute to the designer of the Water Works, Graff, is done, and you bike past it on the trail. My Son lives in Roxborough and I was able to peddle the Tow Path toward Manyunk and say Hello to him on my way through. We started at the trailhead near Cabela's and rode the entire six-mile length to where the trail currently ends at the old railroad bridge. Heading east, a new section of trail opened in April 2015 from Cromby through Phoenixville, connection with the trail in Mont Clare. So peaceful. I wasn't able to ride it for a number of years, but now, what nice improvements are there to be found. In Conshohocken, a new housing development was built, also requiring rerouting of the trail. Constantly running videos give visitors a comprehensive overview of the region’s resources and its history. As we rode we exchanged comments w/two other groups of riders who too were annoyed by the lack of respect by the horse riders of the motto, sharing the trail. This mountain bike primary trail can be used both directions and has a easy overall physical rating with a 409 ft green climb. For obvious reasons, parking at trail heads is hard to find, and the bike path along Kelly Drive becomes a human obstacle course. The trail does cross a highway (Route 724) at one point where cars do have some speed. will definitely make this a favorite of ours for weekend rides. I don't understand what trail all these sites are describing but it sure isn't this one. Have done the landingville stretch and love it. To stay on the "trail", you have to make an right on Kelly Drive that doesn't come into view until you're on top of it. Those of you in fear for your life, stop watching so much tv. In addition to bringing the Schuylkill River's status as a transportation corridor into the 21st century by connecting numerous towns and cities, the trail has also helped revitalize the economy of a region that was hard hit by the decline of steel, coal mining and other heavy industries in the last few decades. This is a really nice trail. The roadbed is very compact and smooth riding. Easy access to the trailhead. This may become an alternate path for the longer trail, but the official Schuylkill River Trail is located on the Chester County or western side of the river. Of all the municipalities the trail runs through, if any of them can afford to pave their section completely, one would think the city of Reading can. Pennsylvania has more than 12,000 miles of trails most of which remain accessible during this period. The only way around that is to use Main Street (724), which runs parallel to Armorcast Road, from 345 (light at Rita's) to the trail crossing at the Ugly Mug. Enclosing, I thank all the people who made these trails available. It appears that nobody is doing any maintenance to the trail any longer. Donna Reinhart 7/5/09. One suggestion for this ride, bring water, it's 50/50 shade vs. sun.Ride on and remember, leave only tire tracks.". Phoenixville Bridge To Be Removed On Schuylkill River Trail PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Construction crews will remove an old bridge on the Schuylkill River Trail in Phoenixville early next week. Nonetheless, the trail has smooth asphalt and crushed stone surfaces, is wide enough to easily accomodate cyclists, hikers or horseback riders passing each other in opposing directions and adequate signage. TRAIL ALERT: Starting Jan. 14th, fencing contractors will be working on the East River Bridge at Poplar Neck. If you’re out there “training” you can spare a second or 2 to apply the breaks and or go single file to avoid a dangerous situation. We finally came across another trail head behind some burger joint/bar and it was actually really nice, it appeared fairly new, and best of all no crackheads in sight. Welcome to the Schuylkill River Trail, a multi-use trail in Southeastern Pennsylvania with a projected length of almost 130 miles. I use it often, but I have to say it's surface is very loose and sandy, like riding your bike on the beach! The way back from Valley Forge no problem. Turn right onto S. Second St., and go 0.1 mile; then turn right onto Franklin St., and go about 0.1 mile. Why is it that dog owners are required to clean up after their animals, but horseback owners can leave a knee high pile of crap and not think twice about it? There are other trails that connect,such as CrossCounty and Perkiomen. There is a bike trail over there too. The Schuylkill River Trail between Mont Clare and Pottstown is the responsibility of the Borough of Phoenixville, Chester and Montgomery counties. There is good parking along Armorcast Road but not past that. Soon, the South St. Bridge will be closed for renovations this year, Fall 2008, and the new bridge has new bike friendly features that are to tie into the SRT. I have had a whistle blown at me because I apparently did not cross the path fast enough. Morris Street Park. The experience of being outside on trails with no cars to fight is a gift. Once again we rode the SRT from Oaks to Fairmount park, the SRT was busy as always. Going west, the trail crosses 724 again at Tim's Ugly Mug Bar. Someone galloped their horse there and now the trail is way too bumpy for a bike ride. Stay safe my friends. Lots of areas/benches to stop and take a rest if you need it. I saw bikers(young and old), horses, hikers, dogwalkers, even a 2 person surrey, who had a rear view mirror and saw I wanted to pass even before I politely dinged my bike bell! 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