Perikomen Trail - Montgomery County Pennsylvania
DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 40.18460, -75.45304
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| Huge parking lot between the post office and the Perikomen Trail in Collegeville, PA. |
TRAIL MAP:
Perikomen Trail Brochure and Map - Montgomery County Pennsylvania
DISTANCE: 40.3 miles
THE BIKE:
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| The Perikomen Trail runs along the huge parking lot where I parked. Turned left on the trail towards Green Lane Park where the Perikomen Trail ends. |
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| One busy road crossing ... |
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| ... then it's trail. |
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| The trail alternates between paved and crushed stone. |
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| There is a very steep uphill and downhill at this point. I had encountered a local man who told me if I went right on the more narrow path, then left, I would bypass the steep uphill. So I tried that. |
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| Sure enough, a left on the road then a short distance to a left through the parking lot ... |
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| ... there is a spur trail ... |
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| ... right back to the Perikomen Trail where I turned right. |
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| This is the steep downhill that I would have to come up on the way back. |
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| There are some connections that are on road with some turns for short distances but they are very well signed and easy to follow. |
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| The trail turns left here and goes around the perimeter of the parking lot. I would be returning a different way and connecting back to the Perikomen Trail at this point. |
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| The trail is a bit rough and hilly through Green Lane Park so I would be bypassing that on the way back via an alternate route. |
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| A section right off the side of the road ... |
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| ... then it's smooth and paved. |
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| The parking lot on the right is where I will be turning on the way back. |
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| Just the other side of this bridge is the end of the Perikomen Trail. |
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| Heading back. |
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| Heading left through that parking lot for the alternate route. |
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| To the far left of this intersection is that parking lot where the Perikomen Trail follows the perimeter... |
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| ... coming in from the right at the far end of the lot. |
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| Back on the Perikomen Trail. |
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| Up that steep hill. I walked it but a man riding a bike rode up. I was amazed that it was even possible to ride up that hill. |
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| Back where I parked this is where I planned to stop but the return route was fast on more of a downhill grade which gave me extra time. The beginning of the trail was only 5.5 miles away so yes, let's do it! |
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| There is a busy intersection to get through ... |
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| ... then it is smooth sailing. |
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| Through Lower Perikomen Valley Park. |
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| Under Route 422 ... |
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| ... then just before the next bridge the Perikomen Trail ends/begins at the Schuylkill River Trail. |
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| Heading back at the 0 mile marker. |
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| Back at the parking lot. |
