Walnut Hill Commissary & River Trails Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek

Part of Valley Forge National Historical Park area, this loop combines a low intensity hike along the Schuylkill in one direction with an intermediate intensity hike back along the hillside leading down to the river. The loop is almost entirely prepared earth trails, with one small segment that is on the paved Schuylkill River Trail.

Cell service is also very strong at all parts of the trail, making it hard to get lost.

This trail takes the hiker down from a trailhead next to the historical Wetherill Barn and along the Valley Forge National Historic Park River Trail. The trail is a flat and well maintained earth trail that continues alongside the river for several miles. After reaching the Sullivan's Lane trailhead, the particularly adventurous can choose to cross the river and enter the main area of Valley Forge with access to a number of other trails, while those continuing on the loop will briefly hike on the paved Schuylkill River before entering the unnamed trail that eventually becomes the Commissary Trail.

This trail is wooded and mostly flat, but does include some steep areas that are best reserved for the sure-footed or those with hiking poles. This back half of the trail is also muddier and in less good repair, with several trees blocking the original path but with clear, well-trodden alternative paths available at every such point.

This trail is an excellent mixed experience trail that combines a flat, easy to access and enjoy riverside hike with a slightly more challenging (yet still accessible) hike along the hillside above the river on the way back.