Valley Forge National Historical Park Hiking, Trails & Guides

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Valley Forge National Historical Park contains 28 miles of authorized trail. Some of these trails are mixed-use, and provide opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Valley Forge National Historical Park contains 19.5 miles of designated, marked hiking trails. Key historic and interpretive sites are connected by the 6.6 mile Joseph Plumb Martin trail. The Horseshoe Trail links the area near Washington's Headquarters to the Appalachian Trail. The park offers trails of mixed topography, ranging from the relatively flat River and Valley Creek trails, to the hilly trails on Mount Joy and Mount Misery. Hiking is permitted in most open areas of the park.

In addition to hiking, Valley Forge National Historical Park offers many other outdoor activities.

Feel free to take a bike ride on one of the designated bicycle trails. Valley Forge National Historical Park offers 21 miles of authorized trail within the park. Bicycles are permitted on the 6.6 mile paved Joseph Plumb Martin trail. Two miles of the paved regional Schuylkill River Trail run through the north side of park. This trail connects to sites in Montgomery county and Philadelphia. There are an additional 12 miles of flat, unpaved biking trails.

Equestrians will be delighted to pursue horseback riding on the seventeen miles of designated bridle trails. While visiting the park, horseback riders may cross open fields to link up other horse trail sections and complete circuit rides. Open fields should be crossed with caution due to holes and other hazards. Horse trailer parking is available in a designated area in the main parking lot of the Welcome Center, as well as the Pawlings Road parking lot, and the south side of the Walnut Hill access road. In order to protect valuale historic resources and ensure visitor safety in busy areas, horses are prohibited in picnic areas, the vicinity of historic buildings, and tour stops.

Multiple guided tour opportunities are available in Valley Forge National Historical Park.

• From June through Labor Day, 40-minute ranger-led tours depart from the theatre for the Muhlenberg Brigade following the 11:30 and 1:30 films.
• Hybrid bicycles are available for rental should visitors wish to explore the park via bike. Ranger-led bike tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays June through Labor day, weather permitting. Bike rentals are available June through Labor Day, weather permitting. Bikes may be rented from the Welcome Center parking lot daily from 10am-5pm.
• Trolley tours are available seven days a week June through Labor Day. These 90 minute tours depart the Welcome Center at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Fore more information call 610-783-7503.
• A ten mile self-guiding automobile tour winds through the park. A free maps of the tour route is available at the Welcome Center. Cassette tapes ($10) and cds ($12) of the tour are also available at the Welcome Center.
• Living history intepreters are an integral part of the Valley Forge National Historical Park Experience. These interpreters are at the Muhlenberg Brigade from 11am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays and Washington's headquarters 9am-5pm every day.

Valley Forge National Historical Park also is an excellent place to enjoy a picnic. Whether you want to eat with the whole family or just a nice place for two, this park has what you need. The picnicking areas are spread throughout the park so you can enjoy your meal in just about any environment.

Valley Forge National Historical Park
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