Pennypack Paper Mill Loop

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Wildflowers

This scenic tour provides visitors a complete hike option, tying together a handful of trails at Pennypack Preserve. The stem of the lollipop can be skipped by parking closer to the Visitor's Center and simply doing the four-mile loop or shorter options are also easily connected in the same area.

Along the route, visitors will travel across old, wide roadbeds, mowed grass paths, and dirt footpaths with intermittent views and changing scenery depending on the season.

Just south of PA Turnpike 276, find the Pennypack Road entrance and parking area and head east onto the Pennypack Parkway. This multi-use path is open to bikes and horses, as well as pets, but the majority of this hike is foot-travel only and closed to pets.

Continue across Masons Mill Road onto the Pennypack Creek Trail through conifer woods, which can hold sections of water making for muddy travel after rain or in the wetter months. At just over a mile, continue to the right (south) onto the Creek Road Trail as it runs parallel to Webb Walk. As the trail begins to head upward, look for a right turn onto the Mitchell Trail and another right to connect to the Beech Springs Trail (though a left will also meet up with the Beech Springs Trail).

Follow the Beech Springs Trail to Huntingdon Road, crossing the road to continue counterclockwise onto the Wood's Edge Trail loop. This trail encircles the Visitor's Center and a web of shorter trail options. At the south side of this area, continue onto the Raytharn Trail as it heads through a meadow on a mowed grass path. You'll find nice, unobstructed views in these meadows with short, hilly sections.

Finally, at the Creek Road parking area, turn left (north) onto the Creek Road Trail as it follows along Pennypack Creek, passing an ancient forest area called "The Peak Woods," dating back to 1760. Continue along the creek and then turn right (east) onto a short section of the Paper Mill Trail to link up with the popular Pennypack Trail - Montgomery County section.

This pathway makes for a nice return journey along a wide, gradually uphill tread. Around the five-mile mark, turn left (west) onto the Creek Road Trail for a brief connection back to the Pennypack Creek Trail. Retrace your steps along the "stem" of the lollipop back to the Pennypack Road parking area.

Tulip trees, oak, native grasses, etc.

Use the Pennypack Trust trail map to locate historic sites through the preserve.