Tower, Ferndale and Gravity Trail Loop

The Mount Penn Preserve offers adventurers a variety of opportunities to explore with over 4,000 acres of dams, fields, forests, lakes, streams and recreational areas. In a regional cooperative effort, the Preserve is located in and around the City of Reading in southeastern Pennsylvania.

The Preserve offers over 40 miles of trails for equestrian, biking and hiking adventures. The International Mountain Bicycling Association designated the Greater Reading Ride Area as a Bronze Level Ride Center, one of 37 Ride Centers in the world.

This loop trail is primarily dirt, with rocks on the more difficult portions of the trail. Some of the trails have markings, others have no markers or signs, so be sure to have your OnX map ready to go. 

The Tower and Ferndale trails provide a pleasant walk through the woodlands. Wildflowers adorn the trails during a springtime hike, while autumn rewards the hiker with brightly-colored foliage.

A section of this loop travels along the Gravity trail. There is a sign explaining the historical significance to the name which tells of a bygone era. Beginning in 1889, a railroad known as the Mount Penn Gravity Railroad transported tourists along a 7½ mile railway. The scenic mountain ascent passed parks and arrived at the top of the mountain. For a 20 cent ticket, passengers could board or depart the train at stops along the way including resorts and picnic grounds. The return trip was by gravity. The train operated for 33 years. The tracks were removed but portions of the graded rail beds are still evident. Observant hikers may spot small pieces of shiny black coal along the path.

It will be easy to see pieces of red bricks on the rocky section of the trail. There is also an old fireplace, picnic table, overgrown steps and a large underground pipe. Hikers will need to check their map as this loop trail includes a few turns onto other short, unmarked trails that wander through the woods before returning to the parking area. 

There are no facilities available, but there are some interesting historic features nearby, including Reading’s famous Pagoda.