Montgomery County’s Cross County Trail Expansion: Why Upper Moreland and Willow Grove Buyers Should Care

By Josh McKnight | The McKnight Team

Montgomery County commissioners just approved $2.28 million in engineering contracts to advance two segments of the Cross County Trail East. Both segments span Upper Moreland and Upper Dublin townships. This is the same trail that, when complete, will run 17.5 miles from Conshohocken on the Schuylkill River Trail east to Bryn Athyn and the Pennypack Trail. For homeowners in Willow Grove, Hatboro, Horsham, and the rest of central Montgomery County, that kind of north-south trail corridor is a long-term value story.

Why a Trail Connects to Real Estate Value

Look at any market with a finished regional trail. The Schuylkill River Trail in Conshohocken. The Pennypack Trail in Bryn Athyn and Huntingdon Valley. Home values along those corridors tend to outperform the surrounding township averages, especially for homes within walking distance of trail access points. Buyers pay a premium for outdoor access they can use without driving, and that premium tends to grow as the trail network becomes more connected.

The Cross County Trail East is being built with 80% federal funding and 20% Montgomery County capital improvement dollars. That funding mix matters. Federal trail money tends to follow through on the original engineering, which means the project is more likely to finish on a real timeline, not a stalled wishlist. Engineering on Section A in Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland goes to Bowman Consulting Group at $934,000. Section B in Upper Moreland goes to Michael Baker International at $1.35 million.

Where Willow Grove and Upper Moreland Sit Right Now

Willow Grove has been one of the most consistent value markets in Montgomery County. According to Redfin, the median home price in Willow Grove was around $458,000 last month, up 20.4% year over year. Movoto data for April 2026 showed a median list price of $439,000 with homes spending only nine days on the market. Strong demand. Tight inventory. Most homes here fall inside the Upper Moreland, Abington, or Upper Dublin school districts. You can find more detail on our Willow Grove community page. For neighboring markets, our Horsham and Hatboro pages are also worth a look.

A new trail corridor passing through this part of Montgomery County is the kind of slow, steady value driver that pays off over a long hold. Buyers shopping in Willow Grove and Upper Moreland today are buying ahead of a trail expansion that, once complete, will give them direct connections all the way to Conshohocken and Bryn Athyn without ever getting in a car.

What This Means for You

If you are a buyer in Willow Grove, Upper Moreland, or Upper Dublin, the trail expansion is one more reason to take action this year rather than wait. Inventory is already tight and the long-term value story for this corridor is improving. If you are a seller, especially one with a home within walking distance of a planned trail access point, this is information your listing should highlight when the time comes to list. Most agents will not pull this story into the marketing. The good ones will.

At The McKnight Team, we know the central Montgomery County market block by block. We help buyers spot the homes positioned to benefit from infrastructure projects like this, and we help sellers tell the right story to the right buyer pool. You can reach us anytime at TheMcKnightTeam.com.

Thinking about buying or selling in Willow Grove or Upper Moreland? Let’s talk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Willow Grove and Upper Moreland Real Estate

What is the housing market like in Willow Grove right now?

Willow Grove is one of the more competitive markets in Montgomery County. Recent Redfin data showed a median home price near $458,000, up 20.4% year over year, and Movoto reported homes spending only nine days on the market in April 2026. Inventory is tight and well-priced homes get multiple offers.

Will the Cross County Trail raise home values in Upper Moreland?

Based on what regional trail corridors have done for property values elsewhere in Montgomery County, the long-term effect tends to be positive, especially for homes within walking distance of access points. The lift usually shows up over years, not weeks.

How long does it take to sell a home in Willow Grove?

Most well-priced homes go under contract within about nine to two weeks. Pricing strategy and presentation matter, but inventory is tight enough that the right home does not sit long.

Is Upper Moreland a good place to buy a starter home?

Yes. Upper Moreland still offers split-levels, capes, and smaller single-family homes in a price range that works for first-time buyers in this region. The Upper Moreland School District serves most of the township, and access to SEPTA Regional Rail at Willow Grove keeps the commute manageable.

Source: Pottstown Mercury; 4/23/2026