Home › Pennsylvania › Coatesville › Natural Lands' ChesLen Preserve
Natural Lands' ChesLen Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 485 Google reviews · Running trail in Coatesville, Pennsylvania · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Natural Lands' ChesLen 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.
Sizable nature preserve featuring walking trails, a small playground & picturesque scenery.
What runners say about Natural Lands' ChesLen Preserve
“Sitting at the same bench at various points on the calendar gives you a greater appreciation of how beautiful Chester County is and how it inspired the Wyeths’ art.”
“This is an awesome place with a beautiful landscape and is great for hiking, walking and jogging.”
“Wonderful,l natural preserve, very pristine, with easy trails, the short climb will get your heart pumping.”
This preserve is huge, over 1,200 acres. The preserve claims it is home to at at least 15 rare plants and insect species. This preserve has over 8 miles of trails. On the eastern portion of the preserve the yellow and grey trails take you through a diverse forest.
This is an awesome place with a beautiful landscape and is great for hiking, walking and jogging. All the hiking trails are too bright and sunny. Generally there is no shades on trails, I went in summer, it was too hot so make sure to carry some water.
This part of the Natural Lands Preserve has an information kiosk with a map of the entire Preserve. I was shocked when I opened it and discovered the enormity of the Preserve. It, as well as the others, are well maintained. *Thank You to the Employees & Volunteers* Lots of Birds & Bees in the Flowers & Trees.
Wow. I am pleastly surprised. I love a good hiking trail and they have a few good ones. I was able to take my kids on the red trail from the Lensfest Center to West Brandywine Creek. It was about 4 miles round trip and mostly an easy walk.
Trail conditions & character
“This is an awesome place with a beautiful landscape and is great for hiking, walking and jogging.”
“There are three parking areas I know of and some cool events held here throughout the year like trail runs, stargazing, birdwatching, etc.”
“Traversing the red trail takes you through row crops and open areas where most of it is not tree covered so avoid going in heat of the middle of a hot day.”
“Coming back you walk up 1 big hill and the little tikes were getting tired but there are plenty of benches that they took a rest.”
“If you have a chance visit during their annual Friday Night Lights concert.”
Plan your run at Natural Lands' ChesLen Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitenatlands.org
- Phone(610) 353-5587
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–7 PM |
Running trails near Coatesville
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Shadyside Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 298 reviews
Park featuring baseball and hockey fields, tennis and basketball courts, pavilions, and a playground, plus a pond.
Broad Run Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 145 reviews
Clean park featuring a pond and paved trails, plus basketball and volleyball courts.
Pocopson Walking Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 5 reviews
The Laurels Preserve
4.9 ★★★★★ 99 reviews
Nature preserve featuring covered bridges, trails, and fields for hiking, dog walking, and horseback riding.
Pocopson Walking Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 8 reviews
Shaw's Bridge Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 263 reviews
Waterfront park, featuring a walking path, a creek-side trail loop and an open field.