Hiking Adventures

Uwchlan Trail: August 11, 2003

Overview: Uwchlan Trail follows the Shamona Creek for about 2 miles. It starts at the Downlin Forge area of the Struble Trail, following Dowlin Forge and Pennypacker Roads and appears to end at the intersection of Pennypacker and Milford Roads at an unusual 1-7/8 mile marker. The paving continues for some distance, but after walking all the way to the YMCA on Rice Blvd. no further trail markings were found.

Parking: The Uwchlan Township Web site indicates parking at Dowlin Forge and Shelmire Roads, which is the Downlin Forge Park area. Just before this on Downlin Forge Road is a parking lot for Shamona Creek Park, which allows access to the trail about the 1/4-mile marker. This is just at the point where Dowlin Forge Road returns to a two-way road, so this parking lot can be accessed from either direction. The trail also passes near a baseball field in the park that I believe also has a parking lot.

Description: For most of its distance, Uwchlan Trail very closely follows Shamona Creek, so there are five bridges over the creek. Some areas are far enough from the road that the rushing sounds of the creek can be enjoyed without traffic noise. The trail crisscrosses Dowlin Forge and Pennypacker Roads at several locations, but these roads don't have too much traffic. There are plenty of benches and picnic areas, all in shade, although most are before the stretch of trail along Pennypacker Road. This trail has some gradual hills, more than Struble Trail, but are not difficult to walk. Trail markers are present every quarter mile. At the baseball field, there is a split in the trail; I'm not sure if the east path is just part of the park or is part of the trail. Uwchlan Trail passes several historic sites, including an old spring house, a mill and mill race, and a dam from the late 1700's. Each site has a descriptive plaque detailing its importance.

Struble Trail: August 6, 2003

Overview: Struble Trail parallels the Brandywine Creek for a distance of 2.6 miles. Some places bill this as a 5-mile trail, but only if you walk to the end and back. It starts just north of Downingtown, near the intersection of Routes 30 and 282 and ends at what I believe is Dorlan Mill Road.

Parking: The official parking lot for Struble Trail is on Norwood Road, about half of a mile into the trail. The easiest access might be to take Route 30 to the Route 282 exit, then go left. The parking lot is immediately after U.S. Environmental. There is also parking at the end and at Dorlan Mill and Shelmire Roads in Dorlan Mill Park.

Description: For much of the distance, Struble Trail runs between the Brandywine Creek and Norwood Road. After passing Dorlan Mill, the trail's only historical site, it bends west away from Shelmire and thus becomes quieter. There are many benches and picnic tables, almost all of which are in shaded areas. On both of my times on the trail, there have been people fishing in the creek. The trail is mostly flat; any hills are gradual and almost not noticed. Midway through the trail some sort of noisy construction is being done. Since there are many pipeline markers along the trail, I presumed that was the work being done. The trail is marked at mile intervals.