Schuylkill River Trail Partners
The Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) is owned, managed, maintained and developed by a number of organizations who have come together to form the Schuylkill River Trail Partners. Click the menu for each trail section for a link to the partner website with trail status information. Schuylkill River Greenways NHA manages about 30 miles of the trail in Berks & Schuylkill Counties. You can also contact Schuylkill River Greenways at info@schuylkillriver.org or 484-945-0200 for general trail information.
Until several years ago, the trail existed in unconnected sections known by the names given to them locally. Enormous efforts have been made to connect these sections, close gaps, create a unified sign system and promote the trail as a single entity. This work continues with plans to close several remaining gaps, and to extend the trail in Philadelphia at the lower end and in Schuylkill County at the upper end.
Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk of the Schuylkill River Trail (Credit: Schuylkill Banks)
The Schuylkill River Development Corporation (Schuylkill Banks) manages the trail from the Fairmount WaterWorks to South Street, a section known as Schuylkill Banks. The Schuylkill Banks vision calls for trails running along both banks of the Schuylkill River wherever possible between the Fairmount Dam and the Delaware River. SRDC is currently working with public and private partners to plan, design and build additional trail segments and improve neighborhood connections to the trail.
Schuylkill Banks
Phone: 215-309-5523 ext. 100
Fax: 215-222-6032
Email: info@schuylkillbanks.org
Website: www.schuylkillbanks.org
The Philadelphia Parks & Recreation protects over 10,200 acres of public land and waterways, and manages hundreds of recreation, environmental, and cultural centers. The department manage historically significant Philadelphia events and special venues, and works with communities and organizations, leading capital projects and introducing creative programming.
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Phone: 215-683-3600
Email: parksandrecreation@phila.gov
Website: www.phila.gov/departments/philadelphia-parks-recreation
East Falls trail section (Credit: Mike Stokes)
East Falls is a neighborhood along the banks of the Schuylkill River and over the Falls Bridge. About 11, 000 Philadelphians live in the area. The East Falls Development Corporation provides community information for East Falls businesses, residents, and visitors, including up-to-date information on East Falls business opportunities, real estate, recreational activities, and bars & restaurants.
East Falls Development Corp.
Phone: 215-848-8084
Email: kathleen.hogan@eastfallspa.com
Website: www.eastfalls-pa.com
Manayunk Tow Path
Manayunk is centrally located just 15 minutes from Center City Philadelphia, King of Prussia, Chestnut Hill, and The Main Line. The commercial district is nestled along the banks of the Schuylkill River and the Manayunk Canal and Tow Path. The Manayunk Canal Towpath is the Manayunk section of the larger Schuylkill River Trail and begins at Lock Street in Manayunk and runs just behind Main Street through Manayunk and ending in the Shawmont neighborhood. It’s approximately 2 miles of of a mixed trail of boardwalk and compacted gravel that is best suited for walking, jogging, off-road biking and nature exploration.
The Manayunk Development Corporation and the Manayunk Special Services District are non-profit organization operating under the same umbrella, which are marketed through Manayunk.com.
Manayunk Development Corp
Phone: 215-482-9565
Email: info@manayunk.org
Website: manayunk.com
trail in Conshohocken (Credit: Mike Stokes)
The county built, owns and maintains 18 miles of the Schuylkill River Trail that runs from the county line in Philadelphia to Mont Clare, passing through Valley Forge National Historical Park. It was built on the Pennsylvania Railroad right of way and parallels the scenic Schuylkill River as it winds through various townships and boroughs. This section of the trail is paved, making it a popular destination for biking, rollerblading, jogging, and walking. It is recognized as a National Recreation Trail by the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Trails System.
Montgomery County has also completed a section of trail from Pottstown to the Berks County line and is working to extend the Pottstown piece eastward to connect with the trail in Chester County.More information about this trail section can be found on Montgomery County'a website.
Montgomery County
Phone: 610-666-5371
Email: mharris@montcopa.org
Valley Forge trail
Valley Forge was the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army. The 3,500-acres of monuments, meadows, and woodlands commemorate the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation. There are 21 miles of authorized biking trails in the park including the Schuylkill River Trail. On the park's north side, two miles of the SRT run through the park, with connections to sites in Montgomery County and Philadelphia.
Valley Forge National Historic Park
Phone: 610-783-1000
Email: vafo_superintendent@nps.gov
Website: www.nps.gov/vafo
Trail in Parker Ford
The Schuylkill River Trail in Chester County runs from Phoenixville to Parker Ford. The Borough of Phoenixville manages the trail within the borough while Chester County manages the other trail sections in the county. Plans call for extending the trail from Parker Ford to Pottstown, which, when completed, will enable trail users to travel from Philadelphia to Reading, a distance of more than 60 miles. Details about the planned route and schedule can be found on Chester County’s website.
Borough of Phoenixville
Phone: 610-933-7728
Website: phoenixville.org/158/Trails
Chester County
Phone: 610-344-6220
Email: ccfacparks@chesco.org
Website: pa-chestercounty.civicplus.com/1749/Schuylkill-River-Trail
Schuylkill County Bartram Section
In Berks and Schuylkill Counties, the trail is constructed and managed by the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area. There are currently over 30 miles of completed trail in this section, including a nearly 20-mile stretch from the Pottstown line to Reading. This section is locally known as the Thun Trail and is maintained by volunteers.
In Upper Berks and Schuylkill Counties, there is a 7-mile length of trail from Hamburg to Auburn, known as the John B. Bartram section, and another 1.5-mile piece in Landingville, and a 1.4-mile segment in Schuylkill Haven. From Reading and Hamburg, cyclists can follow a signed on-road route, with a short off-road piece in Leesport.
The Schuylkill River Greenways NHA is always working to maintain, improve and expand this section of trail, while also working in partnership with others to promote the entire trail.
Schuylkill River Greenways
Phone: 484-945-0200
Email: info@schuylkillriver.org
Website: schuylkillrivertrail.com
