Great Valley (Pennsylvania) facts for kids
The Great Valley is a long, wide valley that stretches across the middle of Chester County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. People sometimes call it the Chester Valley. This valley starts near the Schuylkill River in Montgomery County in the east. It then goes southwest through Chester and Lancaster counties.
The valley is easiest to see in central Chester County. However, you can find parts of it almost all the way between the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers. Several creeks flow through or across the valley. Valley Creek flows east towards the Schuylkill River. Another creek, also named Valley Creek, flows west from Frazer. It joins the East Branch Brandywine Creek. Beaver Creek flows east along the northern side of the valley from around Thorndale. It also joins the East Branch Brandywine Creek. Many parts of the Brandywine and Octoraro creeks cross the valley.
Towns and Cities in the Valley
Many important towns and cities are located in the Great Valley. Moving from east to west, these include:
- King of Prussia
- Valley Forge
- Chesterbrook
- Paoli
- Malvern
- Exton
- Downingtown
- Thorndale
- Coatesville
- Parkesburg
- Atglen
These communities are home to many people and businesses.
Getting Around the Valley
The Great Valley is a natural path for travel heading west from the Philadelphia area. This makes it an important route for roads and trains.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike and U.S. Route 202 follow the eastern part of the valley.
- U.S. Route 30 enters the valley near Malvern. It becomes the main road in the valley as far west as Coatesville.
- From Coatesville, Pennsylvania Route 372 takes over as the main road to the valley's western end.
- Train services also use the valley. Amtrak's Keystone Service and SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale Line run along much of its length. These lines help people travel for work or fun.
Valley Trail
The Chester Valley Trail is a popular path that runs through the Great Valley. It's a great place for biking, walking, and running. The trail stretches from Exton in Chester County to King of Prussia in Montgomery County.
It's important to know that this Great Valley is different from the much larger Great Appalachian Valley. While they are somewhat close, they are separate valleys.
