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Mount Penn Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 32 Google reviews · Running trail in Reading, Pennsylvania · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Mount Penn Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceOpen 24hScenicTrailhead parking

What runners say about Mount Penn Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (32 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“This is such a beautiful forested area just outside the hustle and bustle of downtown Reading.”

Great place to mountain bike. Lots of uphill but that’s part of the game. Pretty rocky is areas but a lot of fun! Some killer downhills with an awesome jump trail.

★★★★★ — Paul , Mar 2025

Great place for mountain biking but definitely not beginner oriented. Trails are very well maintained and there is a great community is riders surrounding and supporting the place. Only downside is proximity to Reading, which makes it a hot spot for teenage weed smokers to rip on Honda civics...

★★★★☆ — Fred , Oct 2018

This is such a beautiful forested area just outside the hustle and bustle of downtown Reading. Bike trails and hiking galore, lovely views and ALL the fresh air. The trails are meticulously maintained and offer various levels of difficulty for everyone to enjoy!

★★★★★ — Jennifer , Apr 2025

The best MTB trails. Big drops, nice size table tops. Commence sending

★★★★★ — Sean , Dec 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 32 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“This is such a beautiful forested area just outside the hustle and bustle of downtown Reading.”

More trails like this →

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“It is a great place to ride technical/flow/downhill.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Plan your run at Mount Penn Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitemtpennpreserve.org
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Mount Penn Preserve

2 List Rd, Reading, PA 19606

Get directions

Running trails near Reading

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Mount Penn Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 75 reviews

Reading, PA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Quiet, scenic, kid-friendly park for hiking, biking and other outdoor pursuits.

under a mile away

Antietam Lake Park

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Pendora Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 458 reviews

Reading, PA

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Public park with play areas, sports facilities & pavilion & event venue rentals.

1.6 miles away

Neversink Trail

4.4 ★★★★☆ 18 reviews

Reading, PA

Scenic

2.1 miles away

Witches Hat

4.5 ★★★★★ 237 reviews

Reading, PA

Crushed gravelScenic

Park with scenic views featuring a pavilion and well-marked trails for easy hiking.

2.1 miles away

Neversink Loop

4.7 ★★★★★ 201 reviews

Reading, PA

28 miLoopScenic

Hiking area featuring a 6-mi. loop trail offering river and forest views.

2.6 miles away

All running trails in Reading, PA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.