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Favorite Trails Around Philadelphia

By Jacqui Key

Wissahickon Trails stream
Wissahickon Trails Philadelphia graffiti

1. Wissahickon Valley Park Trails (50+ miles of trails)

From Ridge Ave and Lincoln Dr, the trail follows along the Wissahickon Creek up through Fort Washington State Park. Some highlights of the trail are the Finger Span Bridge (serves as both a bridge and a piece of art), Cave of Kelpius (AKA Hermit Cave), Wissahickon Memorial Bridge (find the trail under the bridge to see the amazing graffiti/art work done by locals), Lovers Leap, Toleration Statue (William Penn overlooking the City of Philadelphia), Historic Valley Green Inn (dating back to 1850, this inn and restaurant was built for travelers. Currently, it serves as a restaurant), 100 Steps – a beautiful scenic entrance from the Wissahickon Neighborhood into the trails, Historic Rittenhouse Town where you can learn all about the history of where the nation’s first paper mill was built.

2. Kelly Drive Loop (9 miles)

Start and end at Lloyd Hall (behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art).  Travel along the Schuylkill River up Kelly Drive towards the East Falls Bridge. Stop for a coffee or something to eat in East Falls (some of our favorite places to eat in East FallsThunder Mug Cafe, Slices Pizza, In Riva, Le Bus, Foghorn & Fletcher).  From East Falls, cross over the East Falls Bridge and go back towards the Art Museum on MLK Jr Dr.

3. Pennypack Trail (16 miles)

Trail end points: Byberry Road between Reading Way and Pioneer Road (Woodmont) and Baxter Trail at Pennypack on the Delaware Park (Philadelphia). This trail runs through the North East Section of Philadelphia and into Montgomery County.

4. Philly’s Schuylkill River Trail (a 30 Mile stretch of the 75-mile Schuylkill Trail)

This path runs along the Schuylkill River from Center City Philadelphia, through Valley Forge National Historical Park in Montgomery County and ends in Parker Ford, PA. In 2022, USA Today named Philly’s Schuylkill River Trail one of the best riverwalks in the U.S! Along this trail is the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk, where you can find the Schuylkill River Park (awesome playground and dog park), the Azalea Garden, and Fairmount Water Works.  PKT Tip: take a run up the famous “Rocky Steps” at the Art Museum and find Rocky’s footprints!

5. Benjamin Franklin Bridge Pedestrian Walkway (3 miles out and back)

This may not be the type of trail you are thinking of, but we couldn’t leave this one out as it offers one of the coolest views of the city.

Our favorite trails in the Philly Burbs:

  1. Valley Forge Park, Montgomery County
  2. Ridley Creek State Park, Delaware County
  3. Tyler State Park, Bucks County

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