Length 5.4 mi (8.7 km) | Surface Crushed stone | |
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Use Multi-use, non-motorized Season Year-round, no winter maintenance | ||
The Pennypack Trail is a rail trail located in eastern Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The trail runs 5.4 miles (8.7 km) from Rockledge north to Byberry Road near Bryn Athyn along the former alignment of SEPTA's Fox Chase-Newtown Line. The Pennypack Trail is used for biking, hiking, jogging, and horseback riding. The trail is maintained by the Montgomery County Division of Parks, Trails, & Historic Sites.
Contents
Map of Pennypack Trail, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Best of pennypack trails
Route history
The Pennypack Trail was originally part of a railroad line that ran from Philadelphia north to Newtown. The line was part of the Reading Railroad system and was electrified between Philadelphia and Fox Chase, with service between Fox Chase and Newtown powered by diesel trains. Passengers traveling from north of Fox Chase had to transfer from diesel to electric trans in Fox Chase, and vice versa. SEPTA acquired operation of the line in 1981, which became its Fox Chase-Newtown Line. In January 1983, SEPTA suspended service between Fox Chase and Newtown because of low ridership, a labor dispute, and failing diesel equipment on this section of line, which lacked electrification. For several years, the tracks sat dormant and became overgrown with trees and saw several bridges collapse. In 2009, Montgomery County turned a section of this former railroad line along the western edge of Lorimer Park into the Pennypack Trail. As part of constructing the trail, Montgomery County leased the right-of-way from SEPTA for $1 and the rails were removed and sold. SEPTA continues to own the right-of-way so rail service could be restored in the future, though there are no plans to do so.
The trail was extended north from Welsh Road to Byberry Road in September 2015