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DirtWorld - Mountain Bike Guide Saturday, November 21st  
    HOME > TRAIL GUIDES > PENNSYLVANIA > FRENCH CREEK STATE PARK




French Creek State Park

Nearby Town: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Ride Type: Many Trails To Choose
Trail Type: not specified
Distance: 25.00 miles (40.23 KM)
Duration: not specified.
Elevation Gain: not specified.
Climbing: Steep and Technical
Skill Level: Weekend Warriors
User Density: not specified.



Ride Summary:
Tons of single track.

Trail Description:
Loads of technical single track. Trails are filled with Rocks and long steep climbs. Pick up a map at the park office.

How to get there:
It is off of exit 23 from the PA.




Posted by: DaveP on 10/2/2009
Great place to ride. Awesome single track and very challanging trails. By far the best place to ride in the area with the exception of Fair Hills.


Posted by: Rick on 4/20/2009
This is over an hour from Philadelphia, it's near Elverson. Ride your soft tail here. It's rocky and technical in more than a couple places.


Posted by: Ang on 4/8/2009
This place was hard. I've been riding for about 4 months and I'm just getting used to clipless pedals. This park is full of very rocky, very technical single track. The uphills are long and get your heart pounding. My frequent stops to walk the bike over intimidating obstacles gave me a much needed breather. The people in my group were more advanced and could ride the technical stuff, but needed to stop for breath anyway, so it worked out. The downhills are fun. There are not many logovers, but many, many rocks. I'd do it again. It definitely stretched me. If you are new to clipless pedals, be prepared to have many slow motion fall overs.


Posted by: Explosivo on 8/15/2008
Absolutely beautiful park. The trails are really fun too. I've done both loops but the turtle is longer so that is my favorite. You can get lost in there but if you have a map you'll eventually find your way. Skill wise - not for beginners. VERY rocky. But it's a lot of fun and has some nice challenging spots. Overall very fun.


Posted by: Jacalyn on 3/28/2008
Despite the trail closures, there is plenty of riding still to be had at French Creek. (20+ miles of single track) The trails are well marked and well-maintained (although rocky). You can get a free map at the visitor's center.


Posted by: peeler on 12/1/2006
We rode the yellow trail counterclockwise in the rain, during hunting season. I wore my brakes down to nubs, the amount of man hours invested in the little we saw was astonishing. The ranger suggested we ride the Mill Creek trail, which seems to be the good stuff. We never made it that far. There are so many rocks on certain parts, yet the terrain rolls and changes frequently, from smooth and mellow to tight and technical. There were alot of planks and logs. great fun.


Posted by: Mike on 8/2/2006
Personally I like the green (Lenape) trail because I'm relatively new at this. This trail is challenging yet doesn't set out to kill anyone. The Mill Creek trail on the other hand will give you permanent damage if you're not careful...be sure to follow the trail markings (red/white) or you'll end up on some back road far, far away from where you started. Great trails for all levels of play.


Posted by: jaw on 3/6/2003
French Creek is a great park. There are trails for all riders. I have been riding there for years and seen the trails close. So please ride the trails that are open to bikes. Pa is in enough turmoil right now over land use. You will encounter hikers and horseback riders. Everyone is wanting good trails, so be smart on the trails. Espically Pa riders, our trails are disappearing to rapidly. This park was my sons first mt. bike ride. He was 5 and still had his training wheels on. He is now 9 and rides a Trek alum. and loves FC. Stephen rides the Lenape(green), Boone(blue), and the Turtle(yel/wht). These trails are great. But I prefer the Mill Creek(wht/red). Roots, rocks, creeks, logs, fast downhills, crueling climbs, sweet singletrack, one of Pa's finest. A awesome figure 8 ride is the Turtle and Mill Creek trails. Great riding for all levels. Just remember, respect others and if you can get to a trail work day to show the park we do want to ride there.


Posted by: BB on 9/10/2001
This was formerly known as the mecca for mountain biking in the philadelphia area, before some trail closures limited a few rides. Two different loop trails are the attraction of the park. The horshoe trail (left park loop) is a combination of logs, single track and lots of rocky inclines and decents...did i mention rocky? The trail is at its best when taken counterclockwise where you can fly down the fire tower road and end your ride with a mean slope at the end of the loop. Taking it clockwise is just down right grueling. You spend 20 minutes on an uphill climb, pedal 5 minutes on a plateu and ascend another 10 minutes to the top of the mountain. The red & white trail is the shorter of the two, however it is the trail that brings out your adrenaline pumping. Steeper on the decents, more logs, stream crossings, with switchbacks and hairpins too many to count. There is a 3/4 mile long, rocky, fire road that punishes you if riden to the top. The end of this trail needs better trail mark


Posted by: chess yang on 5/8/2001
the best trail besides blue marsh. really dangous. don't bring your wal-mart bike there. my friends bike is some where on the blue trail. the fork gave out on the rocky down hill. i really like the trail. a lot more funner then blue. to many hills at blue. if u got time and a good bike then take up the trail. the trail splits to many. so bing the map. i think this is more tech then endurance. if u want to get a head ingery then head here. go to blue marsh for a good endurance. about and hour a part. also final note. one to TO many rocks. just 1 to many. EnjOY if u come out to this trail.




 



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