Bondsville Mill Park
1647 Bondsville Rd, Downingtown, PA
About
Bondsville Mill Park is a local community park which is focused on preserving the natural habitat and educating the community. The park boasts native plant and butterfly gardens, picnic areas, a honey bee colony, a nature library, and educational displays in addition to the hiking trails. All the work is supported by volunteers and new park features are added on a regular basis.
Logistics
# of Trails: 4
2.1 miles total
Hours
Mon-Sun, Dawn to Dusk
Parking
Gravel lot available with approximately 10 spots
Bathrooms
A single portable toilet available near the park entrance
Dogs: Yes
Horses: Yes
Mt Bikes: No
TIPS
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The parks trails near the creek are very buggy. Bring your preferred spray if the bugs like you best.
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The homes across the street use the parking lot as their own, so arriving early in the morning on nice days is the best bet.
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The hiking here can be easy to moderate depending on the trail you take. The red trail is easiest and getting to the white is quite a climb.
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Private property surrounds this park on all sides. Be careful not to take trails which the owners use to connect their homes to the park.
Full Loop Trail
This hike around bondsville mill park is a relatively straight foward loop beginning with the blue trail just across the bridge and finishing with the white trail at the top of the hill. The blue trail follows the Bever creek past the ruins of the old mill. Crossing the construction/serivce entrance the trail continues along the creek then up a stepped incline. Continuing to the right will lead to the Fisherville Pond Mill loop. Don’t take the first right beside the large tree as this is a very steep decent and not intended for hiking. Wait to make the right when you pass the trail sign on the left. Descending down the hill, I make the sharpest right first on to the upper portion of the trail. This part loops around back to the same starting point only at a lower elevation. From this second crossing, I always stay to the right to complete the loop. The trail leads back to the top of the stepped incline. Stay to the right rather than decending the stairs to continue around the blue loop.
The blue loop intersects with base of the Water Tower trail (yellow). If you are looking for an easier hike without elevation cross this trail and continue to the Mill Trail and back to the bridge. Turning right up the Water Tower trail there is immidiate elevation gain by way of wood block steps. These steps continue and only level off once the tower base elevation is reached. Once at the top there is no more elevation gain and the trail connects to the white trail.
I start the white trail at the first right and follow the outer loop through the woods. There are side trails leading from private property, but the main trail in obvious. Following the trail all the way around leads back to the start and a gravel and wood block stairway that leads back to the bridge.
This trail is quick and has decent elevation. I find it is best for an early morning or late afternoon hike as weekends tend to be very busy.
