The most famous name in the American Revolution comes to us from a small iron forge built along Valley Creek in the 1740s. After a disastrous campaign in the Fall of 1777 George Washington had left Philadelphia in the hands of the British and retreated to a defensible winter campsite out of harm's way but close enough to keep an eye on the enemy in their toasty Philadelphia homes.

During the winter of 1777-78, as Valley Forge grew to be the third largest city in America, hundreds of soldiers died from sickness and disease. No battles were fought here but Valley Forge, the site where the American army was born, became a symbol for the young nation.

After the Revolution, the land reverted to fields and Valley Forge was forgotten. America's interest in Valley Forge was rekindled during a Centennial in 1878 and preservation efforts eventually began with the Potts House, now known as Washington's Headquarters.

There are four marked, dog-friendly trails in Valley Forge National Historical Park, plus miles of unmarked canine hikes. The Multi-Use Trail loops the Colonial defensive lines and Grand Parade Ground and visits George Washington's head- quarters. Panoramic field vistas of the historic grounds are found all along the paved trail's six-mile length. The Valley Creek Trail is a flat, linear 1.2-mile walk along Valley Creek, past the original Upper Forge site.

Near the Valley Creek, beginning at the Artificer's Shops on Route 23, is the eastern terminus of the 133-mile Horse-Shoe Trail that ends at the Appalachian Trail in Hershey, Pennsylvania. In the park, the trail climbs steeply through the woods up Mount Misery, the natural southern defensive boundary of the Valley Forge camp. The historic Horse-Shoe Trail, so-named as it was built for rider and walker, quickly incorporates back roads and private property and is not worth following outside the park.

Across the Schuylkill River is the 3-mile linear Schuylkill River Trail connecting the Pawling's Parking Area and the Betzwood Picnic Area. This wide, flat dirt trail skirts the river for its entire route and provides ample access into the broad and shallow water of the Schuylkill River for canine aquatics.

A National Park Service map provides locations for the trails and does not indicate the variety of side trails available, especially in the Walnut Hill area that connect to the Schuylkill River Trail. Only the Horseshoe Trail is blazed.

To get to Valley Forge National Historic park outside Philadelphia use the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I 76/I 276) and get off at Exit 326 (old exit 24) - "Valley Forge.” Stay right and take the Valley Forge exit just beyond tollbooth. Turn right on N. Gulph Road for approximately 1.5 miles to the park entrance on Route 23 at the top of a hill.

copyright 2006