Trails that Connect

The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route traces the historic path that French troops, under the command of General Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau, took in 1781 from Newport, Rhode Island, to White Plains, New York-where the French forces joined with those under General George Washington's command-and then together marched to besiege and capture the British army at Yorktown, Virginia, thereby discouraging any further major military efforts by the British in the U.S. for the rest of the American Revolutionary War (the peace treaty was signed in 1783.

The route passes through Philadelphia, where, the Continental Congress reviewed the allied troops, and the grandeur of the French army helped restore the spirit of America. In Chester, Washington literally danced on the dock when he learned that the French fleet had arrived in the Chesapeake Bay, where it could prevent reinforcements from reaching the British army at Yorktown. From here they continued into Delaware -- about half of the Continental troops went by row-barge.

The 19-mile Perkiomen Trail runs through the Perkiomen Creek Valley from its junction with the Schuylkill River Trail at Oaks, Upper Providence Township to the largest County Park, Green Lane Park. Most of the trail is a 10-foot wide cinder or stone aggregate (non-paved) surface with grass shoulders. Selected sections are paved where deemed appropriate.

The multi-use trail follows the Perkiomen Creek and connects three County parks (Lower Perkiomen Valley Park, Central Perkiomen Valley Park, and Green Lane Park) and two County historic sites ("Mill Grove" – Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary and Pennypacker Mills). It passes directly through ten (10) municipalities making connections to numerous municipal parks and open spaces along the scenic waterway. The trail provides access to Valley Forge National Historical Park via its connection to the Schuylkill River Trail extension.

phone: (610) 287-6970

Official Website

Start your walk, hike or bike ride on the Angelica Creek Trail at the city owned 90 acre Angelica Creek Park in Reading. The one mile trail connects Angelica Creek Park to the KenGrill Recreation Center. Be on the look out for wildlife along the trail in Reading’s suburbs; the park’s wetlands are a great spot for birdwatching and wildlife viewing.

The Union Canal, completed in 1827, was originally 80 miles long, connecting Reading to the Susquehanna River. The Trail uses the path the mules trod pulling their canal boat cargo,now connecting Stonecliffe Recreation Area, Berks Leisure Area, Gring’s Mill Recreation Area, Red Bridge Recreation Area, Berks History Center, Papermill, Reber’s Bridge, Switfwater Parking Lot and Stillings Basin Road.

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.

Access to the Appalachian Trail is located in the western end of the Borough along the railyards of the Blue Mountain, Reading, and Northern Railroad.

USE EXTREME CAUTION when entering and leaving the trail, as it is necessary to pass through an active railyard to gain access.