This is not for riders looking for speed, because as mentioned in other reviews, the trail is shared with walkers, runners, strollers, skaters and training wheels. It meanders through the neighborhoods behind houses and businesses. Does anyone have firm facts about the path that the existing Chester Valley Trail is going to use to get to Downingtown? Read more about the planned trail extensions in the Daily Local News. MARKINGS!!! estimated completion in November 2013 from Paoli,cedar hollow road to Valley Forge Park. 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. At its full length, the Chester Valley Trail is planned to run from Atglen at the Chester County line to the Schuylkill River. In icy/snowy conditions the trail may be closed until parking and access areas are addressed. But on this trap I had a great ride from the Malvern trail head. Other riders were friendly and there were Find more trail information and detailed trail maps on TrailLink.com. I spent an hour trying to get to it off of ship road and route 30. We won't bother with that again. The additional mileage is coming to the Chester Valley Trail and the Schuylkill River Trail. This trail dose have some potential, I have no idea how is managing it. Luckily, I saw a gentleman and his daughter unloading bikes and asked - well, it was STILL not the easiest to find! @oiA'@!=pH0pb` 6^,n Montgomery County is advancing another major trail project the new Cross County Trail. Will definitely ride it on our next trip to PA. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I road this 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. 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. The renovated and relocated inn, which contains offices for the local chamber of commerce, stands 0.3 mile from the trail. Several of the crossings are by bridge or tunnel and some are on the street. The scenery varies greatly, from woodsy tree tunnels to office parks and residential. The historic Reading Railroad is planning a comeback as Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority holds its first meeting. But I WAS FRUSTRATED! Trail is crowded with multiple users- bikes, jiggers, skateboarders, etc. As compared to the Perkiomen or Schuylkill trails, CVT is like city riding. The Chester Valley Trail Extension project is a 3.8-mile expansion of the Chester Valley Trail completed in March 2023. The Chester Valley Trail is a planned multi-use trail from Downingtown to Norristown. Click to open the map in a new window. Counties: Chester. 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. But I would not want to bike this route on a weekday. Your donation will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the country. There are a few road crossings but they are well controlled by lights and the drivers in this area seem to be familiar with the trail crossings and often stop before you get to push the button for the traffic signal. We will go back after a few more trails to see if we still think the same. Chester Valley Trail - Montgomery County Parks, Trails, & Historic Sites, Chester Valley Trail - Chester County Parks & Recreation. As mentioned in the other reviews this trail will become a significant part of the overall Philadelphia/SE PA region trail network in the future but the immediate "phase 2" expansion begins in April 2012 and will result in 15 miles paved from Exton to King of Prussia by 2013. 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). It's not congested like the Schuylkill River Trail. If you're starting from Exton, I'd recommend NOT parking near Walmart but in Raymour & Flanigan's parking lot to avoid crossing Rt 100, which is very busy! There are mileage markers almost every half mile, and also some signs for points of interest. Hazards include dangerous road crossings and high speed road bikers. 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. 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 . But, there are a lot of BUSY road crossings on this trail; most with road crossing signals. 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. This is my new favorite trail. 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. On top of that, truck traffic is extremely heavy and frequently blocks the intersection. Town Tours & Village Walks Program Wraps up 27th Year, Brownfield, Greyfield, & Infill Development. Get a fresh perspective of people, events and trends that shape our world. Incoming traffic has the right of way and does not stop. 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. Well maintained, plenty of benches to sit and have a drink. Note: we started at the King of Prussia end and rode to Exton, but the last mile or so of the trail was closed. About 3 miles of the trail already exist starting at the Schuylkill River Trail in Conshohocken and going up to Germantown Pike. I drove up from Wilmington De and it was close to a waste of time and effort. MAYBE it's me? 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. Currently, a 5.1 mile section is complete, connecting Montgomery County to . 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. However, when bikers traveling over 20mph on the trail choose to pass in the middle of the trail, where there is east and west bound congestion, the risk they create for collision is a serious threat to everyone. Its just a little boring. Thanks you to the Parks & Recreation Guys who have taken care of the trail and kept it plowed, ice free and safe this winter! We rode the entire length out and back on a 95 deg day. 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 . The Chester County Planning Commission is proud to release the final Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown Feasibility Study and Master Plan. Ran to the left after parking. 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. Help is close by if you have any type of accident or need help. And there is a massive hill between that area, and where the Downingtown Trail is along 322. The Chester County Planning Commission has officially unveiled a recommended route for the Exton-to-Downingtown extension of the Chester Valley Trail. Copyright 2023 American Community Journals, LLC |, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. The Chester County Parks & Recreation Department opened this trail in 1979 on part of a former Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way. (Not sure how busy it is one weekends.) You will really enjoy this one! However, the multiple stops can get annoying if you are used to riding trails with long uninterrupted stretches. Check or FAQs for more common login questions. Highlight was on the east end there is a Wegmans Super Store just off the trail. Ask us a question or send an idea for a story you think we should cover. In the future, extensions to the trail will allow . The section that I have ridden stretches from Valley Creek Rd near the Church Farm School eastward to Rt 29 near the new Wegman's - approx 4.5 miles. Overall nice trail to bike and be out of the house. :). 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. Leaving Bridgeport, the route curves south and then west as it meanders through King of Prussia, a community named for a local Colonial-era inn built in 1719. The middle segment, currently the longest, runs almost 4 miles from Ship Road east to Route 29. Hartman described the trail system like a humans circulatory system with the Cross County as the trail artery because it allows path users to make many connections to other major trails. Our suburban reporters want to hear from you! 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. It's mostly flat and straight, but there are some short hills on the few on-street segments. Alternately, Downingtown also has the Streubel Trail, on the other side of town. Hours of operation are from 1/2 before sunrise to 1/2 hour past sunset. That said, my husband and I have greatly enjoyed biking from Paoli to Exton with our 3 year old. The trail is well kept and access to many restaurants if you like that. Public Meeting #3: 'DRAFT Master Plan - Recommended Alignment' was held on May 31st, 2017 at the West Whiteland Township Main Meeting Room. Sections not yet open to the public are posted as "NO TRESPASSING. Security issues and maintenance are coordinated by calling 610-344-5656. We saw a park ranger marking trees for maintenance on our way, too. 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. Nice trail in great condition. west to the Exton Wal-Mart. Read more about the planned trail extensions in the Daily Local News. 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. Public Meeting #1: 'Introduction' was held October 8th, 2015 at the West Whiteland Township Building Main Meeting Room. It was raining, but still plenty of people out and about. It is a favorite destination for walkers, runners, families, and bikers since it is convenient to a large population. I love this trail. He has a mountain bike. Not too difficult and the trail is shady so for an August day it wasn't too hot. Just rode this trail for the first time today - 4/2/16 - started in Exton - FIRST, the "BAD" - my complaints - I followed the directions posted here, but, when I got there, I had NO IDEA WHERE the trail WAS. Starting from the King of Prussia trailhead I found the trail too close to busy streets for me. So I visited the trail for the first time today. Thank you to all those who backed this trail and work to maintain it. Bidding and construction will most likely start sometime this year. (Courtesy Montgomery County). I have an Electra Loft. 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. My brother and I rode this asphalt trail. The 1.9-mile section of the Cross County Trail from Germantown Pike to Joshua Road is in the study phase. I will definitely be back for speed work and I will probably use it for my longer runs (10+ miles). I parked at the lot off of Route 30 by the soccer fields. 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. 0 I only walked a small section, about 3 miles but it was clean and perfect. :( OK so NOW the GOOD! The completed $20.2 million trail will be 22 miles long. 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. Plans call for extending it westward to Downingtown. Today the 2.6-mile trail attracts more than 125,000 visitors each year. It is relatively flat but still a good workout. 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. East Branch Brandywine Trail Facts. Map of the Cross County Trail in Montgomery County. The trail parallels US 202, which youll barely notice as you travel through a wooded corridor that opens up to farmland approaching Exton. So the Chester Valley Trail was a site for sore (hamstrings) eyes! Some covered sections provide shade. We were both very comfortable. Have ridden this trail several times. Looking forward to the extension towards Exton which looks. The other dangerous intersection is at Foundry Way in Malvern. The first section is in design and will extend the trail from Exton Town Center to near . View or download a copy of the Chester Valley Trail Extension Feasibility Study and Master Plan. Enjoy! The rail-trail immediately crosses I-76 on a pedestrian bridge and heads west past retail centers and office parks along US 202. Liked the fix it stations. As of late 2011, three major segments of the trail, which is being constructed along an abandoned rail line that once connected Downingtown to Norristown and allowed freight trains to bypass Philadelphia, have been built in Chester and Montgomery counties. . Please give today. Bill Rettew traversed the particulars for the Daily Local News. We walked our bikes across the 3 intersections around the work since we were determined to get to the end of the trail. My recommendation would be to drive further down (3-4 miles in the trail, around Penn medicine) and its getting quieter. Overall, again, a NICE TRAIL! 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. Started at the North Gulf road. A nice, flat, paved and well marked trail. The project has been in the works for three years. Good for casual riding. Chester County is expecting to extend the trail into Downingtown. The Chester Valley Trail extension is considered integral to Montgomery Countys trail system, Hartman said. Chester County is actively working to extend the trail an additional five miles to the west into Downingtown with the first one mile leg currently under engineering review. 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. 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. 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. Many points of access as the mostly tree-line trail runs besides neighborhoods, corporate parks, and shopping centers. (the back.) This extension of the existing 13.5 mile trail will . Worth the travel from Maryland. Very well maintained with good shade. 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. The county is looking for funding to construct a roughly $8 million to $10 million trail bridge over Germantown Pike to continue the trail into Whitemarsh. Is it still there? Yes, there are road crossings. Trail is perfect--not even a crack. The extension project also included building three new pedestrian bridges (South Gulph Road, Henderson Road, and Boro Line Road) and updating two bridges for pedestrian/bike use. 29 near Wegmans is not as obnoxious as the rt. The trail is asphalt all the way, and virtually level. Activities: Biking, walking, jogging, rollerblading. 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. 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. There are a fair amount of road crossing with two being busy four lane highways but they all either have signals or stop signs. There are several street crossings but they have pedestrian blinking lights and the crossings are well marked so I felt safe crossing with my boys. At its eastern end, the rail-trail connects to theSchuylkill River Trail inNorristown. We love this trail! The trail takes visitors over the Schuylkill River in Norristown and provides access to view the new fish ladder at the Norristown Dam as well as opportunities to visit various shops, restaurants, and art galleries along the way. Get a FREE Rail Trails Guidebook when you become a Member with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Looking forward to more rides! Nice shaded parts of trail make it easier to run during summer months. Does anyone know for sure how exactly they're going to connect where the trail currently ends (at Walmart basically, in Exton), to the existing Downingtown Trail that runs along 322? Visit the TrailLink map for all options and detailed directions. Non athletes or Weekend Warriors will also find this Trail to be very good. So there ends up being lots more stop and go along the path. WHYY thanks our sponsors become a WHYY sponsor, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program (CMAQ). As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Very well-kept and nicely made. 36.0 Seeking Funding TBD Paoli Pike Trail: Airport Road to Ellis Lane (Segment A) Multi-use trail along Paoli Pike (0.15 miles) . . It IS a really nice trail! Trail will be extended west to Rt. Work by Chester and Montgomery Counties began in 2009 to convert the railbed into a trail. I like this trail for early season rides or when riding with a group of mixed ability. There is also parking at businesses and small shopping centers including Worthington which includes Wegmans and Target at Route 29 (Morehall Road). In the middle, where it follows the Chester Valley Railroad bed, it is at its best. The drawbacks (frequent road crossings and occasional visual proximity to rte 202) are easily outweighed by the quality of the trail. I recommend starting at KoP to make the return trip slightly downhill. According to a recent Chester Valley Trail Extension survey, respondents would like to see a connection to historical landmarks along the Trail. The county saw 2 million path visitors in 2021, and more than 2.8 million users as of November 2022. It has already completed a feasibility study for one section. Loved having retail on both ends for drinks/snacks. (Courtesy of Montgomery County). This trail is perfect for local residents. I highly recommend biking 14 miles one way but do not make the return trip. 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. a wide variety of athletes will find it very accommodating. 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. Be careful here. I almost never give out 5 stars and never give out a single star so a three is not bad in my book. Only about 500 ft of total elevation after doing a down and back. This trail is wide and paved. 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. I can't wait for winter 2022 for extension to Sckuylkill river trail in Norristown. I am looking forward to the completion! Not one rough spot in the paving, not one piece of trash on the entire 14 mile length. I love running on this trail! 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. This trails brings me such joy! This is a well built trail that travels down Pennsylvania's Great Valley. on the other side. Montgomery County has seen a surge in trail users since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Does anyone know where I can park close to the trail around Wayne without the risk of getting towed? It's mostly flat, though, heading back West was a BIT more difficult than the ride East. Chester County park rangers patrol the trail. While the Chester Valley Trail West Study completed . Despite helping to provide a pedestrian link between the area's many malls, shopping centers and office buildings, this segment appears to be underused. Within Montgomery County, the Chester Valley Trail passes . Started in the car park at the western end and rode all the way to KoP. I found the use of audible signals or vocal warnings by those passing is also infrequent. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. The trail is paved the entire way and crosses several busy roads, but each intersection is clearly marked and passable. I have ridden the paved portion many times with my seven year old daughter and she has no problems making a round trip. Chester County is expecting to extend the trail into Downingtown. We found it well maintained, paved and wide. The Chester Valley Trail will generally follow a now-abandoned rail corridor and will connect Chester Countys Struble Trail in Exton with Montgomery Countys Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown . In 2021, 477,092 people used the Chester Valley Trail, while 68,225 enjoyed the Schuylkill River Trail. The trail is broken up by numerous street crossings. 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. 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 only drawback is crossing several roads which could be a challenge at busy times, and could be a negative for bikers. despite what the map may indicate. When is soon? %%EOF If your looking for a relaxing ride this trail isnt for you. If the CVT was designed for such high speeds there would be mandatory lanes for bike riders. The Chester Valley Trail extension is considered integral to Montgomery County's trail system, Hartman said. Third, very nice long trail. The trail is well used by walkers and bikers on weekdays but there was not so much traffic to make it feel crowded. 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. Users will eventually be able to take the Cross County Trail to the Wissahickon Trail, Power Line Trail, Cresheim Trail, and the Schuylkill River Trail into Philadelphia. Parking is available at a number of locations along the trail. 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. The Exton end is very flat while the King of Prussia end has a few not-too-difficult hills. I did find my way to where the trail starts up again at Commerce Dr. Getting across Rt 100 is a challenge. Just needs to be MARKED better at several places! I really love the trail and live close to Wayne. There are several road crossings that require (and have) crossing controls. There are several stores to stop at for a break. There were a couple of maintenance stations along the way. 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. 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. I quite literally DID NOT KNOW WHERE the trail was! Trail category: Greenway/Non-RT. This should be on all trails. 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. All other runs probably don't make sense here as I can get the same workout by going out my front door. The Chester Valley Trail now extends 5 miles east in King of Prussia to Norristown where it connects to the Schuylkill River Trail. They are rarely on the trail and more so in the nearby woods. 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) . Emily Rizzo is WHYY News suburban reporter covering Bucks and Montgomery counties. Picked up the trail for an evening ride at Church Farm Lane which is the border between Exton Park and Valley Creek Corporate Center. and continue the trail from the Exton Wal-Mart west to Downingtown are still in the planning stages. First time users of the CVT. Final Report. 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. Runs too close to busy highways and past shopping centers. the work area is estimated at 85% complete. I'm basing my rating on comparison to other trails I've ridden. This way you can have a nice picnic waiting for you in Exton Park. The result will be an amazing trail system for uninterrupted long trail rides. The extension will cost $6.2 million, and it will be fully funded by federal reimbursement through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. 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. Pros - Relatively flat and straight. Also a lot of stops because of those roads. 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 trail surface is paved in asphalt that is fully ADA accessible. Beautiful views and even have several mile of tree cover as well. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Initially, the trail goes along some very congested real estate, but the sound barriers do muffle the traffic noise so in portions it is very nice, heavily wooded on both sides, and in some places refreshingly cool. Good track to work on your speed. You'll be pleased. This gives rise to multiple road crossings, and many are signal controlled, especially at major crossings. 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. 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. Youve got to build that basic infrastructure that provides the broad access that you can then tie into and connect, he said. These trails are flat and family friendly and often have a shoulder for running or stepping off the trail. This trail is wide and very well maintained. 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. First, in Exton, the crossing at Rt. An official website of the Chester County Government. I went to the East end and then to Rt 100. Used it for the first time last week. 100 is chaotic! 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. Definitely recommend for a family bike ride. States: Pennsylvania. (Though part of that was a headwind.)
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chester valley trail extension to downingtown 2023