The Chester Valley Trail is currently an 18. 6 mile, multi-use, rail-to-trail facility that roughly follows U.S. Routes 30 and 202 through central Chester County from West Whiteland Township east into Montgomery County.
The trail surface is paved in asphalt that is fully ADA accessible. The trail is generally constructed to a 10-12’ width with 2’ level shoulders on each side. The trail is used for commuting, exercise, and recreation by a variety of users including, walkers, joggers, cyclists, and inline skaters. Battery-powered wheelchairs, dog walking under leash, and strollers are also permitted.
Portions of the trail are parallel to, or coincide with, 18th Century, Revolutionary War movements by Washington’s Continental Army and British General Cornwallis’ troops, after the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777. This includes the area known as “Battle of the Clouds,” where an impending battle was cancelled due to torrential rains and dampened black powder, in the vicinity of Phoenixville Pike and Swedesford Road. Parts of the Chester Valley Trail are labeled as Patriot’s Path, a path proposed to connect the Paoli Massacre Site with Valley Forge National Historic Park.