VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK:

VALLEY FORGE, PENNSYLVANIA

-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-

Last Updated: March 26, 2024

Length: Joseph Plumb Martin Inner Loop Trail; 6.1 mile Loop

Joseph Plumb Martin Outer Loop Trail; 7.5 mile Loop

Difficulty: Joseph Plumb Martin Inner Loop Trail; Moderate. Paved trails are narrow and hilly, so not recommended for kids on bikes.

Joseph Plumb Martin Outer Loop Trail; Moderate. Paved and crushed gravel trails are narrow and hilly, so not recommended for kids on bikes.

North Side Trail Loop; Easy. River Trail is a wide, flat stone-dust surface. Walnut Hill Trail & Commissary Trail are hard packed dirt.

Directions: CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

To access the Joseph Plumb Martin Loop Trail [Eastern End]; Follow directions above to the Visitor Center where the trail begins.

To access the North Side Trails and Schuylkill River Trail; Continue past Valley Forge exit on Route 422 northbound and cross over the Schuylkill River. Take the S. Trooper Rd exit and head left, south to an intersection. Turn right "Betzwood" on Sulllivans Ln. The Betzwood Park parking lot is on your right and has a Map Board and access to the Schuylkill River Trail. You can also travel over the Sulllivans pedestrian bridge by bike via a pedestrian corridor to access the Valley Forge Visitor Center.

A great way to see Valley Forge NHP is by bike. Instead of driving from one site to the next and constantly getting in and out of your car, you just hop off your bike at each stop. The park even has bike rentals. The Encampment Store offers seasonal bike rentals, weather permitting. Please call 610-551-7870 before going to the park to confirm that bike rentals are on for the day. The park grounds are open daily, year-round, from 6 am to 10 pm . There are no entrance fees and there is a Visitor Center. The paved, Joseph Plumb Martin Trail Loops around the park from site to site, starting from the Visitor Center. The Inner Loop is a shorter route, while the Outer Loop is longer and utilizes both the crushed gravel Valley Creek Trail and the paved Yellow Springs & Knox Trails. You can also access the Schuylkill River Trail , located to the North, via the Sullivan's Pedestrian Bridge. For more information visit; VALLEY FORGE NHP .

Joseph Plumb Martin Inner Loop Trail:

Starting from the Visitor Center entrance [Eastern End]; The trail starts just West of the entrance.

Note; Another paved Spur Trail leads West to the Lower parking lot, where you'll find the BIKE RENTALS.

The paved Joseph Plumb Martin Inner Loop Trail travels South up around the Visitor Center to N Outer Line Dr and an *Intersection. Here you can chose to start your Loop traveling either right or left. We went left, North, where the trail took us alongside Valley Forge Park Rd. This brings you to County Line Rd at 0.6 miles.

Note; Right, North, across Valley Forge Park Rd, a Spur Trail will take you to an intersection. Left will take you to the old Port Kennedy Train Station. Continue straight past the yellow gates and you'll cross over the RR tracks and the Schuylkill River via the Sullivan's Pedestrian Bridge. Cross Sullivan's Ln and come to an intersection. Straight leads to the Schuylkill River Trail after 1 mile. Left leads to the Betzwood Park parking lot, past which you can access the River Trail. See Map.

The open trail now continues West, alongside Valley Forge Park Rd, up a hill. The trail levels out and brings you to some nice valley views and the Washington Memorial Chapel at 1.4 miles. You now descend alongside Valley Forge Park Rd, coming to Varnum's Quarters at 1.9 miles.

Note; The paved Joseph Plumb Martin Outer Loop Trail continues straight, West, alongside Valley Forge Park Rd. See; Joseph Plumb Martin Outer Loop Trail Below.

The paved Joseph Plumb Martin Inner Loop Trail continues South, along an open ridge, alongside N Inner Line Dr. Cross Gulph Rd where the trail travels alongside E Inner Line Dr. Travel past Artillery Park parking lot at 2.7 miles. Restrooms. Lots of cannons here. Slight hill, up and over, bringing you to an intersection at 3.3 miles.

Note; The paved Knox Trail, part of the Joseph Plumb Martin Outer Loop Trail, comes in from your right. See; Joseph Plumb Martin Outer Loop Trail Below.

The paved Joseph Plumb Martin Inner Loop Trail continues left, East, winding between open fields and woods. Fairly flat. Pass by the Wayne's Woods picnic area parking lot with restrooms and water fountain before passing by Pennsylvania Columns at 4.4 miles. The open trail now travels alongside S Outer Line Dr and quickly travels around the National Memorial Arch. Crossing Gulph Rd the trail continues East alongside N Outer Line Dr. Pass by the log cabins of the Muhlenberg Brigade at 5.7 miles.

Note; A crushed gravel trail will take you up to the Redoubt #2. A must see.

You then return to the *Intersection, heading left, North, back to the Visitor Center after a 6.1 mile Loop.

Joseph Plumb Martin Outer Loop Trail:

Starting from the Visitor Center entrance [Eastern End]; The trail starts just West of the entrance.

Note; Another paved Spur Trail leads West to the Lower parking lot, where you'll find the BIKE RENTALS.

The paved Joseph Plumb Martin Inner/Outer Loop Trail travels South up around the Visitor Center to N Outer Line Dr and an *Intersection. Here you can chose to start your Loop traveling either right or left. We went left, North, where the trail took us alongside Valley Forge Park Rd. This brings you to County Line Rd at 0.6 miles.

Note; Right, North, across Valley Forge Park Rd, a Spur Trail will take you to an intersection. Left will take you to the old Port Kennedy Train Station. Continue straight past the yellow gates and you'll cross over the RR tracks and the Schuylkill River via the Sullivan's Pedestrian Bridge. Cross Sullivan's Ln and come to an intersection. Straight leads to the Schuylkill River Trail after 1 mile. Left leads to the Betzwood Park parking lot, past which you can access the River Trail. See Map.

Note; The paved Joseph Plumb Martin Inner Loop Trail continues left, South, alongside N Inner Line Dr. See; Joseph Plumb Martin Inner Loop Trail Above.

I haven't checked out this next section. Continue straight, West, along the Northern Side of Valley Forge Park Rd. The paved trail briefly ends at 2.8 miles.

Note; Left, North, the crushed gravel trail leads to Washington's Headquarters and the Valley Forge Train Station.

Head left, South, along the crushed grave trail across Valley Forge Park Rd, where the narrow, crushed gravel Valley Creek Trail/Horse-Shoe Trail, part of the Joseph Plumb Martin Outer Loop Trail continues West, alongside Valley Forge Park Rd, crossing over Valley Creek. The trail then turns left, South, briefly along a gravel road. The wide, crushed gravel trail, travels through the woods, bringing you to an intersection at 3.1 miles.

Note; The Colonial Springs Trail continues right.

Travel straight to another intersection.

Note; The Horse-Shoe Trail continues straight.

Continue left, South, along the wide, crushed gravel Valley Creek Trail through the woods and alongside Valley Creek. Come to the Yellow Springs Road Covered Bridge at 4.1 miles. After checking out the Covered Bridge, cross the road and continue South along the paved Yellow Springs Trail, alongside the road. Come to Liberty Ln and the Knox Estate on your left, and head East to the Knox Estate. Just past this estate you'll pick up the paved Knox Trail on your left. pass through a meadow before turning North back through the woods. This will then take you past Knox Quarters to an intersection. Travel right, East, past the Knox Quarters parking lot. Map Board. Cross the road, where the trail travels North alongside Baptist Rd. You'll cross Baptist Rd again and come to an intersection at 5.1 miles.

Note; The paved Joseph Plumb Martin Inner Loop Trail continues left, North, alongside E Inner Line Dr. See; Joseph Plumb Martin Inner Loop Trail Above.

The paved Joseph Plumb Martin Inner Loop Trail continues straight, East, winding between open fields and woods. Fairly flat. Pass by the Wayne's Woods picnic area parking lot with restrooms and water fountain before passing by Pennsylvania Columns at 5.8 miles. The open trail now travels alongside S Outer Line Dr and quickly travels around the National Memorial Arch. Crossing Gulph Rd the trail continues East alongside N Outer Line Dr. Pass by the log cabins of the Muhlenberg Brigade at 7 miles.

Note; A crushed gravel trail will take you up to the Redoubt #2. A must see.

You then return to the *Intersection, heading left, North, back to the Visitor Center after a 7.5 mile Loop.

CLICK HERE FOR VALLEY FORGE TRAIL MAP

CLICK HERE FOR TOUR THE ENCAMPMENT MAP

BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE

WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER

BIKE IT OR HIKE IT

HOME PAGE