Wissahickon Valley Park

Park · Wissahickon Park

Wissahickon Valley Park

Park · Wissahickon Park

2

Valley Green Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128

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Wissahickon Valley Park by MATADOR_NETWORK
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Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
Wissahickon Valley Park by null
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Wissahickon Valley Park by null

Highlights

Vast park with 50+ miles of trails, creek, and historic inn  

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Valley Green Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128 Get directions

fow.org

Information

Static Map

Valley Green Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128 Get directions

+1 215 247 0417
fow.org

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

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Nature and Parks in Philadelphia

"Wissahickon Valley Park straddles the line between Germantown and Chestnut Hill — a little to the north of Center City, but worth a visit for any nature lovers in the area. The hickory and oak tree forest that surrounds the Wissahickon Creek is so secluded that it feels like its own world, separate from the rest of the city. The park’s Forbidden Drive might have a foreboding name, but it’s really a peaceful gravel trail with a strict no-car rule. The park also has the Valley Green Inn, a historic colonial tavern famous for its brunch." - MATADOR_NETWORK

https://matadornetwork.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/philadelphia-united-states/nature-parks/
View Postcard for Wissahickon Valley Park
@matadornetwork

Wissahickon Valley Park

"Wissahickon Valley Park straddles the line between Germantown and Chestnut Hill — a little to the north of Center City, but worth a visit for any nature lovers in the area. The hickory and oak tree forest that surrounds the Wissahickon Creek is so secluded that it feels like its own world, separate from the rest of the city. The park’s Forbidden Drive might have a foreboding name, but it’s really a peaceful gravel trail with a strict no-car rule. The park also has the Valley Green Inn, a historic colonial tavern famous for its brunch." - MATADOR_NETWORK

https://matadornetwork.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/philadelphia-united-states/nature-parks/
View Postcard for Wissahickon Valley Park

Alexandra B

Google
The park was beautiful and all the trails were amazing. It's definitely not a beginner trail. We made the day out of it. Packed lunch and had a picnic. Totally worth the miles of walking to get the amazing views. Check it out sometime!

Vee

Google
Such a peaceful park! There was a snack bar and a restaurant on site, so I was able to grab something quick before taking a walk. It’s beautiful and quiet with benches right along the water. I only went so far since I wasn’t comfortable walking some of the trail alone, however there are other parts of the trail that are more open with more foot traffic that I plan to check out. Overall a great experience!

Suchitra Kamath

Google
This is amazing! To be able to walk, bike and hike amidst nature in the middle of the city! It is truly a refuge! Even a quaint little restaurant ( Valley Green Inn) in there if you get hungry. The staff at the restaurant are very courteous and friendly.

Daniel Roberts

Google
Third times, a charm. Enjoy this trail all the time being around so many trees is always relaxing. First time doing this during spring with all the flowers blooming in color. Huge recommendations for those who need to just air out themselves from the city, chat with your closest friend, and enjoy the day. P.s. did this on easter.

Brittany Thomas

Google
Amazing and majestic place for walking running biking cooling off! A place that you go to be immersed in nature. I prefer walking here because it blocks out the city sounds like cars driving by. It’s historical land as well so respect is important when visiting the area. Be kind to the wild life and take your trash with you.

David Leonard

Google
Trail Review Margaree Dam White, Orange, and Forbidden Drive Loop - 3.5 Miles Absolutely awesome trail. Lots of safe parking space. The first part really feels like a woody trail. Lots of elevation gain, rocky and rutty, and muddy at certain parts. This is by no means a problem, the trail is really well marked and doable. It adds a layer of challenge to an otherwise easy trail. The views were absolutely stunning. The ending portion of the trail is rather easy and mostly flat. Would highly recommend this trail and the many other connecting trails.

KingVegan

Google
It’s been about 10 years since I’ve been to Valley Green, which is part of the Wissahican Valley Park system so I didn’t know what to expect but not much has changed. I parked near the valley green restaurant which is iconic. I’ve never been to it, but I will visit this in the future. I decided to do a mix of trail walking using the main trail, which is extremely wide people bike, jog, walk, etc. on this trail with the trail also offers hiking and horseback riding and all the trails are clearly marked halfway down the trail. I decided to take a turn up a hill to the forbidden path or trail as it’s called which is about a mile long or so This is fairly steep incline on the way up. I’m gonna say probably about 25 to 30° it was a little difficult because they had just packed the trail with fresh stone and dirt so it was kind of soft when I made it to the forbidden trail which was also clearly marked my little journey began, and further up I went to the cliffside, and eventually I was able to look down to the riverside which seemed to be about 1000 feet or so down not exactly exactly sure but that’s what it felt like about a half a mile and I was unsure of what was going on as far as where I was going every now and then a jogger or biker would come by and I did manage to stop when and ask if I was on the right direction in the jogger told me to take the next right at Valley Green. I thanked him and went on higher and higher. This trail has lots of rocks and roots running through it so you have to be very mindful and very careful. I recommend walking sticks as a knucklehead. I forgot mine, and eventually grab two sticks on the side of the trail, which helped out greatly after walking for about another 15 minutes and not seeing the turn. The jogger told me about I was a little worried, but eventually I came up on it. The trail started to descend through a very windy, picturesque, beautiful part of the valley. Eventually, I started to see a turn downwards towards the valley, and that was a little relieving. I did come across a bridge that was kind of Ricky T. I do have photos the grading going down was had to be about 35° again with rocks and roots and sticks going through the paths very challenging for me but when I finished, it was a heck of a sense of accomplishment. This is such a beautiful place. It’s about 2000 acres. I can’t wait for the springtime and summer. I’ll be visiting this again.

Geraldine M

Google
I absolutely loved this experience. The trail was clean, easily accessible, I went at sunrise with my friend which made it so much better. Over all ten out of ten.
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Jody S.

Yelp
This is the place to be if you're looking for some nature and outdoor time! I've had this place on my to go list for some time and finally had the opportunity for a Sunday stroll with adults and little ones as well. The adults were able to get good exercise and the little ones enjoyed because there were little dancing feet in strollers and eyes wide open taking in nature. We chose the forbidden drive entrance, found parking and headed to the trail. We decided on the main trail as there weren't too many inclines and comfortable rides in the strollers. Before we got to the main trail, it was a bit bumpy so we had to carry the strollers before the fun began. While the parking lot was relatively crowded, the trail was not crowded at all. People were spaced out really well so social distancing was pretty easy. We were able to get good pictures of nature and each other without impeding on other people's experience. The creek was along the path so the scenery was beautiful and the sounds of nature was a highlight. There was some rain a day or so before so some parts were muddy, comfy shoes are a must but expect it to get dusty or muddy. We walked a lot and still had so much more of the park to discover. We could have stayed and walked more of the trail but the boss babies had other plans! It was a great time!
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Kristin C.

Yelp
Today I decided to switch things up and take a trip to Valley Green in Wissahickon Park, Philly. I've always heard about Devil's Pool but had never been, so when I saw the trailhead, I figured--why not check it out? What I've known about Devil's Pool is that it's been a popular hangout spot, especially for teens and young adults--swimming, drinking, smoking, etc. But I wasn't prepared for how disappointing the trail would be. At nearly every turn, there was trash--plastic bottles, wrappers, and even entire black garbage bags just left behind. The closer I got to Devil's Pool, the worse it got. There are clear signs asking visitors to take their trash with them, yet so many clearly don't. It's really disheartening to see such a beautiful natural space disrespected like that. Instead of feeling peaceful or connected to nature, it honestly felt a bit unsanitary and neglected. Wissahickon Park deserves better. If you visit, please respect the space and take out everything you bring in.
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Julie C.

Yelp
This is my regular, jogging and walking spot i.e. the forbidden trail. It is a 7 mile approximate distance where all of your local neighbors and friends frequent to get in their exercise and nature watching daily there are bikers, joggers, and walkers. There are dogs, hikers, and electric bikes, even! We take all of our family here when they visit for photographs in fact for Thanksgiving we did a photo shoot there, because there is no other place as a backdrop!
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Anna S.

Yelp
Such a pretty spot for a hike and lunch! We were so lucky to still see some fall foliage.
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Tami S.

Yelp
Great trail system, but don't leave any valuables in the car. I got every credit card stolen on Sunday, October 8 2023. My purse was hidden, and someone still broke in my car and stole all the credit cards.
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Miranda C.

Yelp
Got my car broken into while visiting this location. Great walking trail, though. That's all I can say.
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Latoya G.

Yelp
I am so impressed! This is what nature is all about, man. My sister in law brought me to this place and I really couldn't have pictured how much I would love and be filled with nature during my time there. I mean, plush, in its organic state, waterfalls, moss, flowers and plants I've never seen before... just really beautiful. We went on Memorial Day weekend, so it was a little more crowded than I would have preferred, but still really bearable. I just feel like you couldn't walk an eighth of a mile and not discover something cool. I'm not a fan of heights, so I won't be returning to walk the high cliff areas with the rest of my family, but I can't imagine how thrilling that would be if I weren't! Oh and the drive to the trail is so pleasant. It's a whole mood.. beautiful, older homes, just really well kept area... I actually wouldn't mind living there if I would ever move to Philly. I'm already planning our next trip and I'm bringing some people who I know would be as equally impressed!
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Mandy G.

Yelp
I love this place! You can explore wooded trails or open meadows. Lots of the trees are labeled, and the trails are clearly marked. You can even use Google Maps to see all the trails and where they'll take you. You can bring your dog or bike, too. The parking lot at the Environmental Center is not too big, so beware.
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Jeremy J.

Yelp
This was an awesome walking trail park that my family and I did while we were in the area. It had a nice nature hike to it. A fun overall family experience. We really enjoyed the walk it wasn't bad at all for my children and overall we had a great time
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Angel C.

Yelp
I recommend you only go here during a week day. The park itself is one of the most beautiful areas and has great trails. However, the weekends are so busy that car break-ins and robberies are so common that the police cannot handle them. There are apparently only four police in the area. We were a victim today. Go on any day but a weekend!!!
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Jenaya P.

Yelp
If you love nature and outings involving the outdoor elements you would love Wissahickon Valley Trails. It's a great place for biking, hiking, fishing or just spending quality time with family , friends or just you and mother nature! Nature was all over me when I decided to visit last week for a hike on the white trail. I must say walking miles and miles on rocks and gravel was quite the adventure. I even climbed steeped hills, jumped over tree limbs and slid through muddy paths lol. During the trail I saw the last covered bridge, an Indian statue and hidden parts of Fairmount Park. Overall it was definitely a different world and also beautiful to explore my horizons and appreciate the simplicity of the Universe. Just hearing the birds sing and the clear water flow down the stream.... ahh makes you forget about the everyday hustle and bustle of life. The feeling was peaceful, tranquil and serene and I definitely look forward to visiting again and connecting with nature's most beautiful gift!
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Dana S.

Yelp
Used to come here as a kid with my family. Really nice trails to walk walk, hike or bike alone or with your family. Used to come here all the time with my family as a kid, and haven't been here in a while, but from the reviews it hasn't changed too much since I was there. I remember walking the trails with my parents and siblings and bringing our dog with us to give our dog a chance to jump in the lake and cool off. There is lots of grounds to walk through and so much nature to enjoy.
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Barb S.

Yelp
Some beautiful walking and hiking here. Each season has its own magic. Many entrances into the park, and parking is pretty easy.
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Lenore G.

Yelp
Wissahickon Valley Trail would be a decent place to hike except for two failings; one minor and one major. The minor failing is the fact that there are no maps available at the trailhead to take with you; there is a large map posted in the parking lot, but the writing is so small that you can't really read it. The major failing is the fact that there's WAY too much trash strew around the area - it completely detracts from the enjoyment of the natural setting. If you can get past the trash and the lack of maps and actually hike the trails here, I strongly advise that you wear boots rather than shoes.
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Bill B.

Yelp
Nice trail. Some trash around but that's the people not the place. People were a little rude but most were nice
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Delores M.

Yelp
Just too nice to be at a stuffy gym. So I decided to go for a nice walk on Wissahock Valley Trail. It is the perfect place to be to take a long leisurely walk, ride a bike, walk your dog, take a hike, jog or run a country mile. Just a lovely place to be. People that are walking past you speak or give you a knowing smile because you're enjoying your day just like them. I go to this trail mostly when the weather is nice and just want to walk in peace and be with nature. For some reason I feel safe here. Which is strange for me, because I always keep my eyes open. The waterfalls and streams are breathtaking. Lots of hiking trails for all levels of fitness too. It's 23 miles of beautiful nature right in the city limits. So if you've never been there, I recommend you check it out. It's totally free along with free parking too. One downside, I don't see any bathrooms, just porta pottys, so go before you go.
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Andreina S.

Yelp
The Night Kitchen is my family's go-to pace for cakes. My favorite is the vanilla lemon curd cake, simply delicious!
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Eunice A.

Yelp
I'm originally from Maryland and while we have our fair share of hiking places and even the Great Falls, I can say I miss this place very much. It is a great place to run and unwind, even on hot summer days because the trees will shade you from the sun. I've seen a great number of bikers as well. Would recommend anyone to visit!
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Sari Marissa G.

Yelp
Lovely little stroll here in Fairmount Park on the edge of the city border yesterday to savor that last bit of foliage. I've always wanted to come and do the 2 mile walk from Forbidden Drive along the Wissickon Creek down to Valley Green Inn for brunch one weekend, but I never knew just where to park at this end of the trail! Found it! I was so excited when I saw the sign over there on the west side of the bridge! Can't wait to come back and do it!! It's been "on the list" for a few years now. I actually took the trail on the east side this time because I wanted to wait for the fam to do the other as it's something we've talked about doing together.... It was paved and clearly marked. There were a couple of other walkers and pups along the way. Everyone was friendly and I felt safe walking alone late morning. I veered off trail which to me is where the magic happens! I walked down to the water, saw some interesting leaves and other fun natural elements. Man, I love nature! I kept thinking of how badly I wishes my little explorers were with me! This stuff is our favorite! I'm so excited I stumbled upon this part of the trail located not too far from Chestnut Hill. It makes for a nice thing to do before or after a trip there! I look forward to exploring more and finding the Lenape Indian statue from the early 1900's, the covered bridge and the horse stable! Perhaps maybe even a fox which signs to indicated they live here too! There is only one negative to this end of the park, and that is getting to the trail. While the parking lots were large and marked with numbers, one on each side of the bridge, neither have a pedestrian path! There's a very small shoulder along a very busy road cars come zipping down! Please use caution! It wasn't very safe! And there were wet leaves this time of year which could lead to someone slipping into traffic. Not good!
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Kiersten A.

Yelp
Greatest hiking spot in Philadelphia without a doubt. Can't be beat. I've gotten lost here and I couldn't even complain. Started the hike around 11 Am didn't make it out the woods until 9 PM and I was thrilled and loving it the entire time. Go go go!
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Dayvone S.

Yelp
M'y favoring running trails. I've been running here for years. Gréât when it's really hot trees provide much needed wind. Nice and quiet in the winter. Spring it's a little crowded so get out early. Enjoy so many great discoveries
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Lauren S.

Yelp
It's amazing that this park is in city limits of Philadelphia. With nearly 20 miles of trails there a lot of ground you can cover. I've been hiking, biking and running in the Wissahickon for years. Forbidden Drive is the main trial though the park, if you get lost ideally you can reorient yourself by getting back to Forbidden Drive. There are many hikes off this drive and many thing to find in the park sucks as Hermits Cave, Tolerance Statue, Tedyuscung Statue and Red Covered Bridge.
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Chels C.

Yelp
Once you make it onto Forbidden Drive, Wissahickon is your Oyster. There are many trails that branch off of this main one. In fact, too many to explore on one day so prepare yourself for continuous exploration. There's no good parking area for this place sadly. Your best bet is to park on Hermit Ln and the entrance to the trail is directly down the road. I've hiked many trails throughout the country and I have to say this trail has been thoroughly labeled. The only way you could get lost here is if you literally walked into the woods (aka not the path). The trails are never empty. There were a decent amount of hikers (including dogs), and bikers today. Considering it was super cold, I imagined no one else was as insane as me but great minds think a like. I can only imagine how packed the trails could get on a warmer day. I had no idea Wissahickon was this beautiful. They have signage for plant life, buildings, help locators, LED lampposts, Bio-Composting Toilet Houses (with Hand Sanitizer). I truly can not wait to visit this Trail again. What's great is this trail is only 10 minutes from downtown Philadelphia. It's insanity.
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Mike TwentyTwo's P.

Yelp
Weekend get away for me and my girlfriend. First time for both of us taking it. The views were amazing and the trail was pretty straight forward. I loved the waterfall she loved the Indian statue. By our surprise there was a wedding happening at the inn that we stayed and watched it was very nice. We will definitely go again because there was still so much we did not see. We ended up only hiking 4 miles of the hike. Still have a lot more to do. Another day. The parking is a pain but if you are patient you will find a spot. Plenty of people coming and going. If you love nature and just want to get away from the world this is definitely the place! This is a must go!!!
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Jocy C.

Yelp
Courtesy of Yelp. Bf found this place to hike for a few hours to end a weekend trip in Philly before heading back to NYC. I LOVE this place. Dog friendly and with multiple hiking trails. One of the trails is through the trees, and another trail is on flatter terrain for the not so fit folks like me. I obviously prefer the flatter terrain, but the adventurous bf and dog takes me to the trail through the trees. Not as difficult as I thought it would be. Definitely an adventure when we have to stop and let the road bikers through or the occasional smell of horse poop. Pictures: 1) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uwF2zLAnZZ1SCwEF8QQKQA?select=eajIHcxAx3ptcZ0NgBZ81g#eajIHcxAx3ptcZ0NgBZ81g 2) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uwF2zLAnZZ1SCwEF8QQKQA?select=4-0ITDk9DsX3iJ4ZcfDOhg#4-0ITDk9DsX3iJ4ZcfDOhg 3) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uwF2zLAnZZ1SCwEF8QQKQA?select=PSMSoD0ARp2MESBa9W-GdQ#PSMSoD0ARp2MESBa9W-GdQ 4) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uwF2zLAnZZ1SCwEF8QQKQA?select=TcikYX8uSAxNCAVLrgt-Rw#TcikYX8uSAxNCAVLrgt-Rw 5) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uwF2zLAnZZ1SCwEF8QQKQA?select=E_oxbGtV6QA8X9jZHbncmg#E_oxbGtV6QA8X9jZHbncmg Tip: Bring something to drink! ENJOY!!

Kevin K.

Yelp
Awesome place to hike, bike, walk and fish. BBQ, swimming, loud music, and coolers ARE NOT PERMITTED. Philly police and park rangers are starting to heavily enforce the rules. Be respectful.
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Kyle H.

Yelp
Wizzle Wuzzle?? Wissahickon! What a great multiuse trail and (huge) park within the City of Philadelphia limits! Hiking, biking, fishing, running, dog walking; we saw it all! This was a great place to spend a few hours hiking, without having to drive out of the city a few hours. The main trail is easy enough for families, and there are many offshoots. There's a rockier trail to the other side of the Wissahickon, just be sure to have good shoes for the slippery rocks, but it's not that bad. I was super jealous of the people fishing here, including the fly fisher. "The name of the creek comes from the Lenape word wiessahitkonk, for 'catfish creek' or 'stream of yellowish color'. (I looked it up on Wikipedia so you won't have to ask the Friends of the Wissahickon what it means and have a 20-minute explanation!)

Natasha K.

Yelp
It's beautiful with a lot of different trails to follow, however, you have to be careful where you park. Last year when I went with my family, my moms back car window got busted into. Fortunately nothing was stolen, the window was just smashed.
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Kayla H.

Yelp
I've somehow been in Philadelphia for 2+ years yet just discovered how marvelous Wissahickon Valley Trail is a few weeks ago. I came here with my dog one Saturday to hike, not expecting much more than racking up steps on my Fitbit. Let me tell you, this place is full of STUNNING NATURAL VIEWS. We took the paved Forbidden Trail, and I couldn't stop taking pictures of beautiful sight after beautiful sight. There are also lots of pups to say hello to while on the trail. We didn't even realize how many miles we had walked until got back to our car. We had an amazing time and didn't even get sunburnt thanks to the shade of all of the trees. The only thing that could be improved would be if people on horseback would clean their horse's poop. That was plain nasty.

Aloise E.

Yelp
What can I say, BEST TRAIL IN THE BEST CITY EVER. Forbidden Drive is perfect, and the trails above into the woods are rarely crowded. Just avoid Devil's Pool because people have ruined it.
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John M.

Yelp
My favorite part about this park is that it's only 30 minutes away from where I live: Center City! I used to think the Jersey Shore would be a great day trip when I bought a car, but this beats it out simply for the ease of being here and because it's basically free minus gas money. The park is active and well very clean. Today I did the orange trail through the valley green east entrance. There's plenty of parking FYI. As for what you'll find, expect mountain bikers, many hikers, walking along the stream, a waterfall, fishing, and semi-strenuous hiking. From 1-10 with 10 being extremely difficult, I'd give the portion I did a 3.5. Overall, this place is beautiful, lively, and a welcome detour away from Center City! Oh, and the roads are winding, making for super fun driving!

Dave S.

Yelp
This is a real gem among urban parks. A lovely creek runs through it. There are many trails for walking, horse riding, dirt biking and even a historic and beautiful restaurant.
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Justin B.

Yelp
Check my review for Wissahickon park. This is all part of the same trail system I believe.
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Larry A.

Yelp
Wissahickon Valley Trail is a wonderful wooded park in North Philadelphia. It provides a sense of calm in an otherwise hectic city. There are lots of people walking, jogging, mountain biking and walking their dogs. If you're an outdoors kind of person, this place is perfect for you! Check it out. You won't regret it!
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Kelsey G.

Yelp
What a beautiful piece of nature right in Philadelphia! I spent the morning volunteering with a bunch of really amazing people removing an invasive species from a location in the park. It is a great place to run, bike, or enjoy walking in nature. There are multiple trails and plenty of beautiful things to see! The parks and Rec department really care about the park and keeping it clean and thriving! I can't wait to volunteer again and go back to experience this park throughout the seasons!
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Steven B.

Yelp
To hell with 5 stars, this is a 10 star experience! Let's make sure everyone knows what an incredible variety of things you can do on this wonderful trail. * You can walk, jog, run, bike, or horseback ride. * You can choose easy trails or ones that will kick your butt. * You can bring your dog. * It's a photographer's dream. (Check out the posted pictures.) * You can just plain enjoy everything nature has to offer. * You can picnic. * Escape the heat in the summertime. (It's mostly in the shade.) * You can access it from several locations. * You can visit all year round. * You can see historic sites. * Appreciate historical structures. They say "A picture is worth a thousand words." There are dozens of pictures posted here. Even though they are great, they don't do this incredible place justice. There's only one solution- Get your Yelpy butts out there and enjoy it!
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Dave L.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite trails in the Philadelphia area, and you can't beat its price: free. It runs along the Wissahickon, and there's lots to see, from rock faces and vegetation to the creek itself. It's well-traveled, safe and peaceful. You're never alone. Watch for bikers, joggers, walkers, and riders on horseback. Once I saw a tyke on a Power Wheels car! If you get lost, there are markers along the path so you can tell emergency personnel exactly where you're picnicking. There's a cafe by one of the trail's entrances that I've yet to check out...
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Tyler R.

Yelp
The Wissahickon Valley Trail is one of the most beautiful and under-appreciated gems of Philadelphia. The city always touts the Fairmount Park system, as it is the largest public park system of any major city in the US, but there is hardly enough emphasis on the right parts. I grew up in rural southern New Jersey, and I started living in the city when I went to college. 10 years later, I still pine for the natural features and beauty of the country. The walk my girlfriend and I took on Sunday reminded me both of what I longed to have, as well as what I can get in Philadelphia. We saw so many wild animals, birds, natural springs, a covered bridge, flowers, plants, and so much more. We got great exercise, plenty of sun, and breathed deeply the fresh, near-summer air (cooled by the water and the shade-- it was 90 degrees that day and felt like 80). I want to go back every weekend if just to breath the air.

Pat B.

Yelp
Been going here since I was a kid. We moved close to the trail just to use it. Walk, bike, hike or run. Plenty of room for activities.
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Hunny P.

Yelp
Great hiking trail. Lots of steep hills and awesome views. Had a nice work out while enjoying the sights.
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Will L.

Yelp
Great spot for running, walking, or biking! Cars are not allowed on the Forbidden Drive, so it's great for a stroll or a jog. I've enjoyed hiking along the trail with my wife, and recently I went for a run along the creek with some friends. We've biked here before, and it's a good time as well, but it's dirt road, so it's best for mountain bikes. It's very scenic and has some good shade, and it's plenty wide. Horses use the trail too, so you need to pay attention for that. People can often be found fishing in the creek too. Also nice that it's easy to find parking nearby at different spots. If you take it all the way to the end, you can take a further connection to head into Philly, which is a cool thought. It would be cool to check that out sometime!
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Mrs. E.

Yelp
An absolutely BEAUTIFUL nature park ! A great place to escape the city sounds, you can't hear anything but nature ! A beautiful place for meditation as well .
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Johnathan H.

Yelp
An excerpt from my blog: However, Forbidden Drive is more like a street than a path. If you're like us and always seem to try the hardest way first, then you'll end up on a dirt path instead. There is a DISTINCT difference between the two. The paths are full of rocks, thick tree roots, sharp elevation changes and that "lost in the woods" feeling. Also, some paths have plenty of "evidence" of horseback riders. The extra care needed with just walking around will make for a longer hike. To give you a comparison, it took 2.5 hrs on the way to Valley Green, and just 1.5 hrs on the way back using Forbidden Drive. (y'know... for a "forbidden" path, it's awfully accommodating... but I digress) Of course, there's rewards for taking the harder route. You're far more likely to see woodland creatures with being deeper in the woods & there being much less foot traffic. Don't expect to see a Sasquatch, however. All we saw on our outing were birds and chipmunks. Okay, I was totally psyched to see chipmunks.
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Kriti G.

Yelp
Very near to Philly. Nice dayout. Reach early if you are going on a weekend. Parking gets full soon. We hiked up the orange trail. Devil's pool is a must place to see. Lovely place.
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Michael P.

Yelp
Although this hiking trail gets very crowded on the weekends, it is absolutely worth visiting. The trails are incredibly well-maintained and clean. Dogs and bikes are both welcome, and there is a good variety of trails to hike on. There is the main path by the creek, which is easy to run or bike on, but there are also trails that are more difficult that go up into the forest. So, if you want to mingle with other city-dwellers who are also looking to escape the summer heat, or if you instead want some privacy up on the forest trails, Wissahicken Valley Trail has great options for everyone.
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Tiffany L.

Yelp
It's a hidden treasure. As I'm writing this review, I kind of want to be selfish and keep it a secret! I've come three times in the past few weeks since I found out about this place! I've been living here for almost a year and never knew about it! It's absolutely beautiful here. They have hiking trails through the trees and flatter trails. Whether it's hot or maybe drizzling outside, the cover of the forest helps shield you from that. People bring their dogs here, bike on the trails, run, walk/hike. There's also water for your dogs to play in and if you would like to swim. Careful not to get lost! It seems like a very large area. Bring water with you! There aren't any water fountains, at least not that I saw. S and I were dying of dehydration, and we went pretty far. I had never been so happy to see the car! Parking here can be a little difficult. Sometimes it is packed! There's also a nice looking restaurant and snack bar. I didn't try it though. As I was leaving today, there was a wedding happening.
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Jess K.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite trails to go to in the Philadelphia area right near Philadelphia University. It has great trails with beautiful scenery along the water and many different paths you can take. They have a few Hard gravel trails, but also a flat trail that you can take along the water. Its a pretty long trail and might take a few times going if you want to see everything. I did half the trail one day then second time I went and finished it.
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Leeza C.

Yelp
Thank you for being so close to my apartment, but just so you know, even if you weren't a block away, I'd still drive my car to come visit you. For a first time Philadelphian coming from California, I didn't really know what to expect when I moved out here. So when I walked around my neighborhood and came across the pathway entrance, I was more than excited to go, "exploring." The trail is totally walkable, but while making my way down the trail, I couldn't help but wish I had brought my mountain bike from home with me. It's filled with gorgeous scenery, and if you go on a day with great weather, you'll find the trail packed with people just as excited to breathe some fresh air. I cant wait to buy a bike for the upcoming spring!
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Nicholas M.

Yelp
The single best hiking spot in Pennsylvania. A multitude of trails await with plenty of hidden gems for you and your hiking buddies to find. Definitely a must see if you are in or around the Philadelphia area.