Trail Planning
Chester Valley Trail
The Chester Valley Trail is a paved multi-use trail that runs through Chester and Montgomery Counties. Chester County is actively working to extend the Chester Valley Trail; please visit the Chester Valley Trail Project Status website for more information on the County's trail extension projects.
Chester County Trails Master Plan
The Chester County Planning Commission is developing a Trails Master Plan for Chester County. The Master Plan seeks to establish a county-wide vision for an interconnected, multi-use trail network. The study is actively being developed, and we are looking for your input as part of this process. View the website for an overview of the project, and to participate in an online survey. View Website
Chester County Trailfinder
Chester County contains an abundance of publicly accessible trails, parks, and nature preserves. Our interactive map features information about these amenities to help you find your next outdoor adventure! The map is updated on a regular basis to ensure that it's as accurate as possible, but also includes a function for users to submit errors and feedback.
The Circuit
Chester County Planning Commission helps to advance the Circuit Trail network by conducting trail feasibility studies and master plans for proposed Circuit Trails within the county. Recent studies for Chester County Circuit Trails can be found below. The Planning Commission also tracks the status of Circuit Trail projects to share information with the public and to facilitate a coordinated effort amongst all partners working on trail development projects that results in a unified trail network.
The Circuit Trails Interactive Map
The Circuit is Greater Philadelphia's multi-use trail network connecting people to jobs, communities, parks, and waterways. View our Circuit Trail Status Map to see the status of each Circuit Trail segment in Chester County.
Southern Chester County Circuit Trail Feasibility Study
This study seeks to identify a feasible alignment for the development of a continuous, off-road, multi-use trail to connect the boroughs and growth areas in southern Chester County to the Brandywine Trail and the Circuit. View Website
Warner Spur Trail Master Plan
This plan evaluates the potential transformation of the 1.95-mile former Warner Spur rail line into a multi-use trail. The Warner Spur connects the Chester Valley Trail and the Atwater Community through Tredyffrin Township. View Website
Chester Valley Trail West Study
This study will evaluate potential routes for extending the Chester Valley Trail westward across the county to connect with the future 29-mile multi-use Enola Low Grade rail trail located just outside of Atglen Borough in Lancaster County. View Website
Chester Valley Trail Extension Study
The Planning Commission is working towards determining a recommended alignment for extension of the Chester Valley Trail into the Borough of Downingtown and providing connections to the existing Struble and East Branch Brandywine Trails. View Website
Northern Struble Trail Feasibility Study
The primary purpose of the Northern Struble Trail Feasibility Study was to investigate the feasibility of extending the Struble Trail along the 13.5 mile abandoned Waynesburg Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad corridor. View Document
Municipal Trail Planning
Chester County Planning Commission Staff assists municipalities in trail and active transportation planning through the County's Vision Partnership Program. Additionally, our staff is available to advise municipal trail groups regarding trail planning and implementation projects. Please contact our Environment and Infrastructure director, Brian Styche, for more information.
For more information about existing county trails visit Chester County Parks + Preservation website.