Perkiomen Trail completed in Philadelphia area.

Pennsylvania has some great rail trails and I would like to visit this
one some day. If I only had time to do part of it, what is the most
interesting section?

Bill may disagree (and his knowledge and experience far exceed mine),
but if you have only limited time in this area for a trail ride, I'd
recommend riding the old mule barge trial along the Delaware
River--about 60 miles from Morrisville to Easton, or cycle shorter
segments at New Hope, Washington Crossing, or other points along the
way. Second choice: the Perkiomen Trail from Betzwood Park (near
Valley Forge National Park) or Lower Perkiomen Park to Green Lane and
back. Last choice: Betzwood south along the Schuylkill River through
Manayunk (think The Wall during the Wachovia Cycling pro race) to the
Art Museum (think "Rocky"). Then, of course, there's the well-known
Jim Thorpe trail..... Roy Zipris

For the Schuylkill and Perkiomen Trail, the most interesting is from
Betzwood/Valley Forge west along the trail, out to Perkiomen Junction,
north on Perkiomen Trail as far as Yerkes Road (where the trail
zig-zags)

The next really scenic area of the Perkiomen Trail is north of
Schwenksville, from Spring Mountain Road north to Crusher Road.

Most of the regional bike trails have maps online
The Delaware Canal Towpath,
the Delaware and Raritan Feeder Canal,
the Schuylkill River Trail
the Perkiomen Trail-

there are also some great bike trails around in Philly that have maps
online- Pennypack Park, Norristown Farm Park, Valley Forge Park.

Don't forget John Heinz/Tinicum Marsh, FDR Park.

The best scenery in Pennsylvania is probably the "Palisades of the
Delaware" along the Delaware Canal Towpath, generally north of New
Hope, specifically near Center Bridge, about a mile north of Route 263
along Route 32.

The best Scenery in Philadelphia is harder- If you like forest
scenery the choice is simple - MTB on the Wissahickon, or road bike on
Pennypack.


Here's my suggestion- sample the variety- ride a loop across the city.
around Fairmount Park- bike lanes through Center City out to the Ben
Franklin Bridge, back to Fairmount Park, out Schuylkill River Trail up
the hill and back via Wissahcikon.

This is a MTB/road bike if if hasn't rained lately- but not race bike
route

Starting with the basic 8 mile loop around the Fairmount Park trail-
go east along Kelly Drive, bear right at the light at the end of
Boathouse Row,
past the Fountain and follow Schuylkill River Park to Locust Street,
left on Locust to Rittenhouse Square, north on 18th to Chestnut, east
on Chestnut to Independance Hall, north on 5th to the Ben Franklin
Bridge, you're allowed to ride bikes on the pedestrian walkway walkway
of the bridge- back down the bridge to south on 6th, west on Market to
City Hall- then back up Ben Franklin Parkway, left at the art museum
and out West River Drive to Falls Bridge
Left at Falls Bridge to Ridge Avenue,

(here, the route splits- Schuylkill River Trail to the left,
Wissahickon to the Right- this takes you on both, but it requires
climbing the hardest hill in Philly- to make it a much easier day,
pick one - Schuylkill or Wissahickon- they're both great rides)

along Main Street to left at Lock Street follow Manayunk Canal to
short cobblesone, cross Railroad, don't go under bridge go straight on
Nixon,
bike trail bears right onto Port Royal, - (bike trail contineus left
on flat asphalt rail trail)- you go straight up the belgian block hill
at crest of Hill, right on EVA, left on Shawmont, cross Ridge Ave,
take first left onto Wises Mill Road - cross Henry Avenue and coast
down into Wissahickon and bear right on Forbidden Drive, food at
Valley Green Inn. Follow Forbidden Drive till trail comes to Lincoln
Drive, right on wooden causeway to Ridge Avenue, cross ridge, left
onto sidewalk and follow sidewalk, go straight at Falls Bridge along
Kelly Drive.

Hal