This old abandoned road near Birdsboro, PA rivals Centralia’s Graffiti Highway and is a local hot spot for hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and rock climbing.
Route 82 south of Birdsboro, PA was abandoned after floods destroyed several bridges in 1987. After nearly 40 years, the decaying road is being reclaimed by the woods with some sections collapsing into Hay Creek below. Other sections have become an asphalt canvas for graffiti. However, the abandoned route through the Hopewell Big Woods has perhaps gained more fame in its demise than in its life as a throughfare. The abandoned road and vicinity is a local outdoor adventure hot spot with something for everyone.
The Famous Abandoned Quarry
Abandoned Route 82, Hay Creek Rd, can be accessed from the Birdsboro end to the north and from the Geigertown area to the south. We started at the Birdsboro northern terminus which has a park running along Hay Creek and a spacious parking area.
Shortly after crossing the foot bridge over Hay Creek, turn right up the hill to the Jelly Time Trail to the Ridge Runner Trail. Alternatively, you can continue on abandoned Route 82 and cross Hay Creek in about 0.6 miles via a cable crossing (one cable for the feet and one for the hands). We chose the Ridge Runner Trail for the fun ledge walk and views of Birdsboro Quarry.
There are numerous side trails, but staying on the main trail will take you down the side of the hill to an abandoned building next to the disused quarry and rock climbing area. Take a look inside.
From the abandoned building take the trail to the right. After a brief walk part way up the hill you will encounter the one of the premier rock climbing areas in the region. The climbing area is a crescent on the southern cliff face of the quarry with an upper tier and a lower tier. The quarry was buzzing with climbers during our visit.
Follow the top tier all the way to the end and descend the stone steps. You will come out at a pistol range used by local police and the water-filled pit of the abandoned quarry. There are more climbing areas along the cliffs on the lower tier of the quarry.
From the quarry, loop back to the abandoned building where you entered and rejoin Route 82 as it follows Hay Creek southwest. The active quarry will be to your left, across Hay Creek.
Abandoned Route 82 Graffiti Highway
Cross Hay Creek and you will come to the water works area. The approximately 0.8 mile portion of abandoned Route 82 from the water works area to the gate at the southern terminus is the Graffiti Highway. Centralia’s Graffiti Highway, abandoned Route 61, is well known among abandoned places adventurers and oddity-seekers. Although Centralia’s Graffiti Highway possesses the mystique of a ghost town, underground fire, and road buckling thereof, abandoned Route 82 is as worthy of attention, if not more so, especially considering its numerous other outdoor adventure opportunities.
Before jumping onto the Graffiti Highway, we chose to turn off Route 82 to the right and walk through the water works area which parallels the abandoned road. We encountered a long pond resembling a canal with frogs and other critters jumping in every few steps. At the end of the water works area there was a low dam in the shallow water of Hay Creek.
From the dam, take the trail back up to the Graffiti Highway section of abandoned Route 82. Caution: for those with little ones, some words and images on the Graffiti highway are – well, what you would expect of graffiti.
Sections of abandoned Route 82 are crumbling into Hay Creek below.
At the southern end of the Graffiti Highway, there is a gate separating the abandoned road from the in-use section of Route 82. You can access abandoned Route 82 by parking along the road at this end. We continued our adventure by turning back and following the Graffiti Highway north again to the side trails to explore the two reservoirs.
Excursion to the Birdsboro Reservoirs
On maps this area is often identified as “Birdsboro Waters.” There are two reservoirs, for our purposes, let’s designate one as the “East Reservoir” and the other as the “West Reservoir”. From abandoned Route 82, heading north, turn right on the gravel road at 40.24417, -75.82327 to the East Reservoir. The woods open up to a beautiful landscape of the lake ringed by pines that would make a picturesque picnic spot. However, being a reservoir swimming is not allowed.
The trail loops around the edge of the East Reservoir with a network of many trials off into the woods. From here you can hike to French Creek State Park and Hopewell Furnace to the east. There are also connectors to the Horseshoe Trail. But for today, we looped back to abandoned Route 82 and took that north to the bridge over Hay Creek at the waterworks area. At 40.24773, -75.82107 take the trail to the West Reservoir.
As you can see from the photo above, the West Reservoir is smaller and more open than the East Reservoir. But like its sister, there are many side trails leading off into the woods.
Historical Hay Creek Hike
In the final leg of our adventure we followed Hay Creek as far as we could to the south before encountering private property.
Loop the West Reservoir and at 40.24591, -75.83052 take the trail into the woods following the stream form the West Reservoir to Hay Creek. The remains of a mill are located on the tributary just before it joins Hay Creek.
Follow the trail along Hay Creek to the southwest. You will encounter a low shady area with a high embankment across the creek, giving a feel of seclusion.
There are a number of artifacts in the woods along the trail including this old rail car.
When you encounter private property, backtrack along the rail grade until you once again reach the intersection at old abandoned Route 82 near the quarry.
Follow the trail to the fun wire crossing at 40.24902, -75.82150. See the video at the end of the post.
From the wire crossing, follow the remains of Route 82 back to the parking area where we started. Most of this section of the abandoned road is more deteriorated than the Graffiti Highway section to the south. I wonder how much longer the road will last.
Here is a view of Hay Creek and the footbridge at the northern terminus of abandoned Route 82.
Overall, the adventure was 7.9 miles.
Route 82 itself was 1.4 miles from end to end and is noted by the purple track on the map. With all the side trails and excursions there is ample opportunity to customize your adventure.
Northern parking at Birdsboro is at 40.25374, -75.81380.
Southern parking is at 40.23921, -75.82976.
Two items to note before you go:
- During summer months, many of the trails are virtually lined with poison ivy, so caution and long pants are advised.
- Content of the graffiti on the Graffiti Highway is what you would expect of graffiti.
Abandoned Route 82 and vicinity is noteworthy for its variety of activities. On our adventure we encountered people hiking, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing and fishing. There are a multitude of trails for all interests and skill levels, from the general-purpose abandoned road to more strenuous uphill hikes. The East Reservoir was particularly picturesque. The Ridge Runner Trail, quarry cliffs, and cable bridge are notable fun features. If you are an abandoned places / ruins aficionado, this adventure should certainly be on your bucket list. Given the history of the area and the network of side trails I suspect there is much more to do and we plan on returning to Birdsboro for further exploration.
Also, be sure to check out our other adventures.
