Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail

Pennsylvania

13 Reviews

View Trail Map
View Map
Print
Complete
Favorite
Send to App

Register for free!

Register for free with TrailLink today!

We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your own favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Leave reviews for trails
  • Add new and edit existing trails

Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail Facts

States: Pennsylvania
Counties: Schuylkill
Length: 7.3 miles
Trail end points: US 209 nr. Old 209 Rd. (Tamaqua) and US 209/Union St. nr. St. Clair St. (Middleport)
Trail surfaces: Dirt, Gravel
Trail category: Rail-Trail
ID: 6032467

Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail Description

The Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail passes through the rolling green hills of the Schuylkill River Valley, from just outside of Tamaqua to Middleport. The trail runs immediately adjacent to US Highway 209 and was originally intended to be part of a highway widening project. The state had already removed the old rail and ties when funding for the highway was eliminated, which then created the opportunity to build a trail.

Begin your trip at the northern end of the trail in Tamaqua, a former mining town whose historic district features many beautiful renovated structures, including the 1874 Tamaqua rail station. Officially called the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Passenger Station, this Victorian-styled station has been fully restored and is a part of the Tamaqua National Register Historic District. The station now serves as a cultural and economic center within Tamaqua.

From the parking lot you can see Newkirk Tunnel, an extinct coal mine that opened in 1868 and by the 1940s penetrated 2,211 feet into the mountainside. Now gated and leaching water from internal springs, the tunnel is part a state effort to clean water flowing from mines using a passive limestone filter that removes acid, iron and aluminum contamination. The trailhead area has signs about the mine's history and water treatment.

The route south from here to Middleport is challenging: the trail traverses undulating hills, many at maximum grade. The dirt and sand base can become soft and unsuitable for biking in wet weather. Use caution on the trail after heavy rains.

Large mile markers indicate the length of your trip in each direction. There are plans to extend the trail to Pottsville for a total of 16 miles, but this development has not yet been scheduled.

Parking and Trail Access

To reach the Tamaqua trailhead from Interstate 81, take Exit 131 to Highway 54 East. Continue on 54 East until the stoplight for State Route 309 in Rush. Turn right onto 309 South to Tamaqua. In Tamaqua, turn right onto State Highway 209 (West Broad Street). Continue through Tamaqua on 209. Just outside of Tamaqua, turn left at a sign for Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail and proceed down the short gravel road to the parking area.

To reach the Middleport trailhead, take US Highway 209 into Middleport, where it becomes Union Street. Parking is on Union Street between Washington and St. Clair streets.

Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail Reviews

Awful trail. The parking lot was closed near tamaqua. Gravel washed away. Large boulders to ride on was NOT fun. Noisy. Next to busy highway.

Awful trail. The parking lot was closed near tamaqua. Gravel washed away. Large boulders to ride on was NOT fun. Noisy. Next to busy highway.

Ok for running or walking but surface too soft and rocky for riding. Rode half way and gave up and moved to road. Parallel tracks indicate it's used by 4 x 4s more than bikes. Also, there's not much to look at since it's right by the road.

Ok for running or walking but surface too soft and rocky for riding. Rode half way and gave up and moved to road. Parallel tracks indicate it's used by 4 x 4s more than bikes. Also, there's not much to look at since it's right by the road.

Very stoney and rough. 2 trails are parallel for part of the journey and 1 is a little smoother in sections. Beside highway.

Very stoney and rough. 2 trails are parallel for part of the journey and 1 is a little smoother in sections. Beside highway.

Please enjoy! Or Stay out then!

Great area! Leads to awesome area with great mining history. It may be washed out in some spots *THANKS TO PENNDOT/OR THE ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBLE ** Yeah it is not good for bicycles at all but there are other places to ride as many other miserable ppl mentioned before.. That said its a nice walk, 209 is not thay loud most of the time, leads to 309 south rail trail above north bound 309 tho is only about 4mi one way 8mi both soooo yeah. Don't be afraid to venture off trail bc there os awesome views, streams, trails etcetera. There may be the occasional atv/dirtbike/utv but 85% are very considerate and cautious and DO NOT OR NEVER use the actual sand trail, they stay to the side in grass(cld clrly sea the trackks in grass) and def slow dwn when pedestrians are visible foe safety amd to leep dust down
.. please have fun, be safe, watch for snakes, and thank yakl!!!

Accordion

Troubled trail

I really wanted to give this trail a good review because it is so close to me. But there are too many cons the biggest being the surface which is being ruined by the people using the trail for four wheelers and dirt bikes. I saw 3 different four wheelers the first time I was there. The trail is very rocky and not very scenic. That being said I am grateful for the trail being there for my use and so close by. Please keep motorized vehicles off of this trail!!!!!

Pretty bad

Definitely not maintained and to top it off it's right next to a busy road, never going back.

Trail not Maintained

Drove to the Tamaqua trailhead. Concrete barrier blocked the entrance to the parking area which was starting to be overgrown as well as the trail. The only walking/biking that could be done was beside the road. We walked a short distance through tall grass to see the mine entrance. Very disappointed.

A bit rough for biking

Nice enough trail for walking or running, if you don't mind traffic 30' away. Surface is loose sand, large gravel and uneven overall. Made for very rough biking, and I ended up abandoning it and riding on the road's edge.

Geocaching along the Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail

Checked the beginning and the end of this trail out a couple of days ago and came back to try and grab the new geocaches along this trail. Great fun. Definitely bike-able or walk-able with my touring bike.Various interesting hides off trail and right near the trail. Not a quick bam bam power trail even though it looks like that on the geocaching map. Nice, creative hides and nice variety. Rt. 209 goes right along the trail but is not too noisy, even on this sunny Saturday.

june 2011

Trail was very wet and slushy not good after rains. trail was pretty plain, nice pole line and coal banks to run downhills on. one run and done but worth the trip.

Needs help

"Much better biking in area than this path. Close to highway, noisy, and without interesting sights. A line of trees/shrubs between path and road would help."

Not worth the effort

"This trail, which runs right off the shoulder of Route 209, is not fit for biking. The crushed stone is too soft to support a bike. There is absolutely nothing scenic about the trail. Don't waste your time."

Great Trail!

"This trail is terrific ... can't wait until it's complete! Unfortunately, parts of it are sort of washed out, but it doesn't even qualify as a minor annoyance and the trail is still 100 times better than running on the shoulder of a busy highway. While the packed sand base gets very soft in wet weather it can still be traversed -- plus it's good for resistance and for your joints!"

Nearby Trails

Go Unlimited Today!

  • FREE Account
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Post your trail reviews
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Get a free map in the app!
Register for FREE
  •  
Purchase Unlimited

Explore by City

Explore by City

Explore by Activity

Explore by Activity

Log in to your account to:

  • View trail paths on the map
  • Save trails to your account
  • Add trails, edit descriptions
  • Share photos
  • Add reviews

Log in with Google

Log in with Apple

OR

Register for free!

Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more!

Register with Google

Register with Apple

OR

Your account has been deleted.