Hike, Bike, and Run

Hiking

Valley Forge National Historical Park has over 35 miles of designated hiking trails. The paved 8.7 mile Joseph Plumb Martin Trail connects many of the key historic and interpretive sites in the park, and the 5 mile loop section of that trail is especially popular for walkers, joggers, and cyclists. There are also unpaved and forested trails on Mount Joy and Mount Misery, trails next to Valley Creek and the Schuykill River, and the Grand Parade Trail goes through meadow habitat. Hiking is permitted in most open areas of the park. Please keep your pets on a leash at all times and throw waste in the provided trash and recycling receptacles.

 

Biking

There are 19 miles of authorized biking trails in the park. The paved, 8.7 mile Joseph Plumb Martin Trail connects many key historic and interpretive sites. On the north side of the Schuykill River, two miles of the paved, regional Schuylkill River Trail run through the park, with connections to sites in Montgomery County and Philadelphia. Biking is allowed on all open park roads as well as some flat, unpaved trails.

 

Trail Regulations

To ensure your safety and to protect sensitive historic and natural resources in the park, you must abide by these common sense regulations:

• Some former trails have been closed to public use. These trails are closed because they are unsafe and cannot be made safe, or because using the trails destroys natural or historic resources. If a trail is not shown on the map, it is closed and public use is prohibited. Please stay off of these trails.

• Trails are designated for certain uses, as shown on the map, in order to prevent resource damage. Using trails for undesignated uses damages resources and is prohibited. Off-trail use by bicycles causes profound damage to cultural and natural resources and is prohibited. Parking is permitted only in areas shown on the map.

• Parking on the grass is prohibited.

• The use of skates, in-line skates, skateboards, and roller skis is prohibited.

 

 

Download the combined hiking, biking and horseback riding trail map, courtesy of the Valley Forge Park Alliance.

 

 

Trail Descriptions

There are 18.2 miles of authorized bicycle trails within the park, marked as green and purple on the trail map above.

Authorized horse trails are marked as green and blue.

Joseph Plumb Martin Trail

8.7 miles total (5-mile inner loop)

Hilly with limited shade. 5-mile inner loop follows much of the Encampment Tour route and connects many of the park's historic sites. Named for a young Continental Soldier who camped at Valley Forge in 1777-78. Paved multi-use trail.

Chapel Trail

2.5 miles (one-way)

Shady trail with lengthy level stretches. Some steep sections with great views of the Schuylkill River. Unpaved.

Trails on Mount Joy

Hilly wooded trails with great views. Unpaved.

Trails on Mount Misery

Mount Misery Trail

Steep wooded trails with great views and experiences. Unpaved.

Valley Creek Trail

Mostly level trail along Valley Creek. Unpaved.

Wolfinger Trail

Very steep and wooded trail. Unpaved.

Horse-Shoe Trail

Steep woodland trail. Begins in park and connects with Appalachian Trail. Unpaved.

Trails on the North Side of the Schuylkill River

River Trail

3 miles (one-way)

Shady level trail meandering along the Schuylkill River. Unpaved.

Commissary Trail

1 mile (one way)

Level trail that circles part of the historic Pawling Farm. Unpaved.

Schuylkill River Trail

Wide multi-use trail that extends southeast to Philadelphia and northwest to Phoenixville. Connects with the Perkiomen Trail and Audubon Loop Trail. Can be accessed from points beyond the park. Paved.