Trail Towns

Auburn

Auburn used to be known as “Scotchman’s Lock.” The first residence in the area was built in the 1830s by a man named Samuel K. Moyer. A station for the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad was established in 1842 which was also when the name of the area was changed to Auburn. The Auburn Trailhead includes parking, a water trail landing and nearby restrooms. A section of the Schuylkill River Trail from Hamburg to Auburn has gorgeous views from the mountain ridge, an intersection with the Appalachian Trail, and great views of the river.

Betzwood

Parking for the Betzwood Trailhead is accessed via Trooper Road. From the trailhead, trail users wishing to visit the park’s buildings and trails can cross the Schuylkill River on Sullivan’s Bridge, a pedestrian/bike bridge completed in 2016. Betzwood was the site of a silent film studio that operated from 1912 to 1923. Valley Forge National Historical Park commemorates the Revolutionary War encampment of the Continental Army during the winter of 1777-1778. The park includes a welcome center, gift shop, historic buildings, restrooms and a network of trails.

Birdsboro

Founded by William Bird, who established an iron forge along Hay Creek in 1740, Birdsboro became an important steel town. His son, Marcus Bird, later built Hopewell Furnace, the largest iron producer in America during the Revolutionary War. Hopewell Furnace National Historical Site and neighboring French Creek State Park offer history and trails within a 15,000-acre old growth forest known as the Hopewell Big Woods. The 3.6 mile on-road Schuylkill River Trail piece leaves Birdsboro on the quiet Schuylkill Road along the river, and crosses the busy Rt. 724 to Old River Road on its way to Gibraltar. Once at Gibraltar, the trail is again off-road to Reading. Trail users can access several eateries, convenience stores and water ice in Birdsboro, and an ice cream shop in Gibraltar.

Conshohocken & West Conshohocken

Commonly referred to by its nickname, Conshy, this former mill town has a walkable main thoroughfare, Lafayette Street, that is lined with dining spots. Directly along the trail is the Conshohocken Brewery, with a bike rack and outdoor seating that is inviting to trail users. The borough is also home to a variety of parks and a rowing center. Directly across the river is West Conshohocken Borough, a small but busy municipality with lodging and dining.

Douglassville

Douglassville is a town located in Amity Township of Berks County. The town includes the historic Morlatton Village, Berks County’s first settlement site along the Schuylkill River at Douglassville. The site includes the Mouns Jones House, built by Swedish settlers in 1716, is the oldest in Berks County. Other buildings include the White Horse Tavern, c. 1750-1762, the George Douglass Mansion, c. 1763, and the Covered-Bridge Keeper’s House, c. 1780. Morlatton Village is along the Thun Trail section of the Schuylkill River Trail. Nearest trailheads are Grosstown Road in Montgomery County and Birdsboro in Berks County.

East Falls

Named for falls in the river that were visible before Fairmount Dam was constructed in 1822, this Philadelphia neighborhood features several restaurants and cafes near the trail as well as convenient parking.

Fairmount Park

Stretching from Wissahickon to the Ben Franklin Parkway, Fairmount Park encompasses Philadelphia’s largest uninterrupted recreational and cultural space. Within Fairmount Park stands a group of historic houses that are open to the public and accessible from the Schuylkill River Trail at the following locations:

• Fountain Green at the Grant Statue provides access to Mount Pleasant, Laurel Hill, Woodford and Strawberry Hill mansions.
• Sedgeley Drive at the Lincoln statue provides access to Lemon Hill

This section of the trail also travels past Boathouse Row and Fairmount Water Works and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Restrooms and free parking are available at Lloyd Hall on Boathouse Row.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a town located in Robeson Township of Berks County. Located in the town is the Allegheny Aqueduct which was built by the Schuylkill Navigation Company in 1824 under the direction of Engineer Ephriam Beech. This “bridge for boats” was needed because the Allegheny Creek could not be incorporated into the canal system. In 1983, the Schuylkill River Greenway Association began efforts to restore the aqueduct and subsequently had the structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The restoration efforts were celebrated in February, 1990, and now the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department administers this historic landmark from Berks County’s past.

Hamburg

The Borough of Hamburg became a boom town after the construction of the Schuylkill Canal in 1820, and today it retains its Pennsylvania Dutch character and old world charm.  The Schuylkill River Trail can be accessed from four different locations: State Street Trailhead, Hamburg’s Community Park, Kernsville Dam Recreation Area and the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum. Trail visitors can walk or bike to local eateries, connecting trails, parks and the restored Strand Movie Theater. Learn more: http://www.hamburgpa.org/

Landingville

Landingville is a borough located in Schuylkill County. It’s about four miles east of Schuylkill Haven. The Schuylkill River and the John Bartram section of the Schuylkill River Trail runs through the town.

Leesport

Leesport a borough in Berks County located along the Schuylkill River, about nine miles north of Reading, surrounded by the townships of Bern, Centre, and Ontelaunee. Transportation and development led to the formation of Leesport, beginning as early as 1745 when a road was surveyed to connect Reading to Maidencreek. In 1815 the Schuylkill Navigation Company formed to transport coal, lumber, produce, and other goods from Schuylkill County to Philadelphia by canal and slackwater navigation utilizing water from the Schuylkill River.  Construction of the Schuylkill Canal began this same year with the Leesport section being completed in 1822.  Four locks originally operated at Leesport and attracted small business to the area.  In 1846 the canal was englarged at which time the four locks became two.  These two remained as such until they were covered over in the 1950’s. For more about Leesport, visit co.berks.pa.us/Muni/Leesport/Pages/History.aspx.

Manayunk

Named a National Historic District in 1983, Manayunk is a revitalized mill town with a commercial district lined with renovated Victorian storefronts and mill buildings. Its trendy restaurants, bars and shops make it a popular destination for trail users. Manayunk is also the location of “The Wall,” a steep road challenge for cyclists.

The trail follows the former canal towpath that leads to an on-road section following Ridge Ave. to Kelly Drive in East Falls. Where Ridge Avenue crosses the Wissahickon Creek trail users can access the Wissahickon Valley Trail. Learn more: http://manayunk.com/

Mont Clare and Port Providence

In Mont Clare, the trail runs along one of the few remaining watered sections of the Schuylkill Navigation System, and Schuylkill Canal Park includes Lock 60, the only operating lock. The former locktender’s house is now a visitors’ center that is open during events. The canal towpath connects downstream to the Port Providence Trailhead.

Norristown

Textile mills once lined the riverfront, and the borough served as the shopping center for much of Montgomery County. The mills and many of the shops are gone, but today Norristown is a transportation and remains the county seat. Parking is available for trail users in the SEPTA station lots and is free on weekends and after 5 p.m.

Oaks Trailhead

Oaks is located in Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County. The area was named after Schuylkill Canal designer Thomas Oakes. There are several restaurant and shopping opportunities in the area. The Schuylkill River Trail can be accessed in Oaks at Lower Perkiomen Valley Park. It provides an easy connection to the 22-mile Perkiomen Trail and the 4-mile Audubon Loop Trail that takes visitors by Mill Grove.

Parkerford

This small community in East Coventry Township is currently the terminus of the Schuylkill River Trail in Chester County. Plans are in place to extend the trail from this point to Pottstown. Currently, there is not an official trailhead at this site, but there is parking directly across Linfield Road from the trail. The trail passes behind the Parkerford Tavern, a historic building dating back to 1766 that has been partially restored. George Washington is said to have stayed at the tavern during the Revolutionary War, in 1777.

Philadelphia’s Schuylkill Banks

South of Fairmount Dam, the Schuylkill River Trail is known as Schuylkill Banks, a linear park that hosts a variety of entertainment and recreational events throughout the year. Included in this stretch is a boardwalk that extends the trail past Locust Street. The boardwalk is a 2,000 foot long concrete structure running parallel to the eastern shore of the river from Locust Street to the stair tower on the south side of the South Street Bridge. A 460’ long ramp also links the boardwalk to the north side of the South Street Bridge, providing ADA access and an easier connection for people with bicycles. This project provides an important link to the Schuylkill River Trail and Center City from University City and West Philadelphia. Learn more: https://www.schuylkillbanks.org/

Phoenixville

Located where French Creek meets the Schuylkill River, Phoenixvilles was home to the former Phoenix Steel Corporation. Established in 1790 as a nail factory, it later made iron products such as Civil War cannon and the famous Phoenix Column. The trail passes the now restored Phoenix Foundry building, which features a small visitors center open on Fridays. Phoenixville’s downtown includes a delightful variety of restaurants, breweries and shops. It is also home to the 1903 Colonial Theater which was featured in the 1958 movies, The Blob.

Port Clinton

Port Clinton is a small town with a big story. The town of 300 sits in the gap where the Schuylkill River cuts through the in the Appalachian Mountains, and was a transportation hub throughout the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. The Schuylkill River, Schuylkill Navigation System, Pennsylvania Railroad, and the Reading Railroad all intersected in Port Clinton, making it one of the most important points of commerce for decades. The town served as a major coal-loading depot for the Schuylkill Navigation System and, beginning in 1888, it formed the head of the canal. Today, this small community lies along the Appalachian Trail and is frequented by hikers.

Pottstown

Founded in 1752 by iron master John Potts, Pottstown was once the center of iron and steel production. Today it features the Schuylkill River Trail at Riverfront Park, and a variety of shops and eateries within a short walk from the trailhead. The Schuylkill River Greenways NHA’s River of Revolutions Interpretive Center is located along the trail and open on weekdays, featuring information about the history, environment and visitor sites of the Schuylkill River region.

Pottsville

Pottsville is located in Schuylkill County. It’s located in Pennsylvania’s Coal Region. Pottsville’s anthracite coal history began in 1790 with the discovery of coal made by the hunter Necho Allen. Legend has it that Allen fell asleep at the base of the Broad Mountain and woke to the sight of a large fire. His campfire had ignited an outcropping of coal. By 1795 an anthracite fired iron furnace was established on the Schuylkill River. In 1806 John Potts purchased the furnace and then founded the City of Pottsville. The city is also home of Jerry’s Classic Car Museum,  a museum established in 1966 with an authentic atmosphere displaying fine motor vehicles from yesteryear. For more about Pottsville, visit www.city.pottsville.pa.us/index.html.

Reading

Reading was founded in 1748 by Thomas & Richard Penn, sons of William Penn who named it after his own county seat in England. In the mid-1800s Reading housed the main production and repair shops for the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad on a massive 36-acre complex that comprised much of the city’s downtown. The Schuylkill River Trail can be accessed from several points, including the Brentwood Trailhead on Route 10, or along the riverfront, located a short distance from downtown restaurants and the Goggleworks Center for the Arts. For more info: https://www.visitpaamericana.com/

Royersford

Located directly across the river from Spring City, Royersford was a small iron and manufacturing center that was incorporated in 1879. Today it is residential community with several restaurants and shops and parking near the trail.

Shoemakersville

Shoemakersville was founded in 1765 by Charles & Henry Shoemaker. The area was incorporated as a Borough in 1921. Shoemakersville is located in northern Berks County on the east bank of the Schuylkill River. PA Route 61 passes through the borough, leading south 12 miles to Reading, and north four miles to Interstate 78 in Hamburg. For more about Shoemakersville, visit shoeyboro.org.

Spring City

This small borough flourished after the Schuylkill Navigation System opened in 1824. It’s downtown was once a hub of activity featuring a number of businesses, including the former Valley Forge Flag Factory. Today trail users can find parking and several eateries and shops near the trail.

West Reading

West Reading Borough became an incorporated political subdivision of Pennsylvania in 1907. It was the first Main Street Community in Berks County. The borough is the headquarters for the R.M. Palmer Company which has been crafting novelty chocolates since 1948. The West Reading Trailhead has access to free parking, a vibrant downtown commercial district as well as restaurants and pubs.