Great Escape: Walking and Biking Trails

Though going on a nice walk may be the last thing on your mind in this 90 degree weather, at some point this summer it’s going to cool off, and there is no better way to spend an evening or a Saturday afternoon than enjoying a local walking path or bike trail. And when you live in a city like this one, there’s plenty to be found. Here are just a few nearby paths and trails for all your great summer ventures.

1.      The Morris Arboretum – Not only is the Morris Arboretum a beautiful place to take a guided tour of the expansive grounds and to learn more about the environment, but its numerous resources and activities make it a great getaway if you are looking for a place to take the kids and make a day trip of your adventures. Pay the admission fee to walk the grounds at your own pace, or take along to an exhibit or with a tour to learn as you walk. And with plenty of bike parking, you good make a real trip of it and ride to the arboretum and park for your tour.

2.      The Wissahickon Valley Park – Whether you are looking to run, walk, hike, bike, fish or just have the opportunity to enjoy the scenery, the Wissahickon Valley Trail over at Forbidden Drive is the perfect space to partake in a jaunt through the woods. This 1800 acre piece of land has everything from challenging trails for mountain bikers to easy paths for those looking to unwind after work and over 50 miles of trails. But if you want to bike, you’ll need to get a permit through the Fairmount Park Commission.

3.      The Schuylkill River Trail – Though you may be familiar with the renowned sliver of Philadelphia’s section of The Schuylkill River Trail, Kelly Drive, did you know this trail, which is almost completed, runs 130 miles through Pennsylvania? This multi-use trail runs from the city out through Montgomery County to a number of towns in the Chester, Berks and Pottstown-Montgomery counties. People use these trails to train for races, enjoy a day outdoors and on their daily commutes in and out of the city.

4.      The Manayunk Towpath – Though this stretch of Manayunk is also considered a part of the Schuylkill River Trail as well as a section of the 22-mile Philadelphia-Valley Forge Bikeway, The Manayunk Towpath has a history and legacy all its own. The towpath that runs behind Main Street Manayunk offers great access to all the nearby stores and restaurants if you are out on a leisurely walk, and if you start to feel ambitious you can continue on to the extensions of the towpath through the rest of the Schuylkill River Trail or hop on your bike and leave the city for the day. This path offers a wealth of historical signage and sites, including old mills and canal locks.

5.      Learn About Your Town - When was the last time you explored your neighborhood? The advantage of living in the city is that nearly all the roads have sidewalks, which can take you from end to end of your area if you’re feeling up to it. With summer comes the great opportunity to explore and check out the beautiful scenery in all the surrounding towns. Take a walk through Mt. Airy and check out the historic houses and beautiful landscaping. Wander through Manayunk and check out all the new stores on Main Street and, if you need the exercise, take a walk up Shurs Lane. Travel through Germantown Avenue for all the specialty shops you could hope for and check out the Chestnut Hill Farmer’s Market. If you aren’t up for a hike in the woods, trailblazing through your own backyard can be a perfect trip for the day.