12 Epic Hiking Spots Around Philadelphia Are Completely Out Of This World
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Kim Magaraci
Author
Philadelphians are lucky in that we have plenty of green space in our city. Even so, there are times when you really want to escape the buzz of city life. There are so many incredible state parks and preserves in the area that it’s easy to find a place to hike for hours along seemingly endless trails, but these top spots to go hiking near Philadelphia are the best of the best.
20 minutes from Center City, also accessible along the Airport Line.
The John Heinz NWR was established in 1972 as America's first urban wildlife refuge. It's a very cool experience to watch marsh birds and wildlife make their home with Philadelphia skyscrapers in the distance! You'll definitely feel like you're away from the city as you hike through the miles of trails the preserve offers, yet it's a short drive from almost anywhere in Philly. You can also take the airport line and walk just a few blocks to the Refuge's entrance.
8601 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19153
The John Heinz NWR was established in 1972 as America's first urban wildlife refuge. It's a very cool experience to watch marsh birds and wildlife make their home with Philadelphia skyscrapers in the distance! You'll definitely feel like you're away from the city as you hike through the miles of trails the preserve offers, yet it's a short drive from almost anywhere in Philly. You can also take the airport line and walk just a few blocks to the Refuge's entrance.
8601 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19153
30 minutes from Center City.
Wissahickon Valley Park is a popular spot for Philadelphians who want to get in touch with nature. There are small scrambles off of the trails, miles and miles of hiking, and tons of natural beauty around the Wissahickon Creek. This is a popular spot for fishing and is easily accessible off of I-76.
Valley Green Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Wissahickon Valley Park is a popular spot for Philadelphians who want to get in touch with nature. There are small scrambles off of the trails, miles and miles of hiking, and tons of natural beauty around the Wissahickon Creek. This is a popular spot for fishing and is easily accessible off of I-76.
Valley Green Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128
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35 minutes from Center City.
Ridley Creek State Park is a gorgeous tract of land in Media, PA. There is plenty of park space for picnicking and hiking, and you'll love the views as you stroll through the open fields and well-groomed trails.
1023 Sycamore Mills Rd, Media, PA 19063
Ridley Creek State Park is a gorgeous tract of land in Media, PA. There is plenty of park space for picnicking and hiking, and you'll love the views as you stroll through the open fields and well-groomed trails.
1023 Sycamore Mills Rd, Media, PA 19063
40 minutes from Center City.
There are miles of trails to explore at this historic Revolutionary War site. The preserved cabins make a hike through Valley Forge unlike any other in the country, and it's right outside of the city! You'll come away from a day hike at Valley Forge with a new appreciation for the history and heroes of the American Revolution.
1400 N Outer Line Dr, King of Prussia, PA 19406
There are miles of trails to explore at this historic Revolutionary War site. The preserved cabins make a hike through Valley Forge unlike any other in the country, and it's right outside of the city! You'll come away from a day hike at Valley Forge with a new appreciation for the history and heroes of the American Revolution.
1400 N Outer Line Dr, King of Prussia, PA 19406
45 minutes from Center City.
Tyler State Park in Newtown offers scenic views along miles of trails that cross over the streams and rivers of Neshaminy Creek . This is a great place to go on a hot summer day because you can wade in the water and there's plenty of shade. The gorgeous Neshaminy Creek really comes alive in the fall, and the covered bridge along the trail makes this one truly unforgettable destination.
101 Swamp Rd, Newtown, PA 18940
Tyler State Park in Newtown offers scenic views along miles of trails that cross over the streams and rivers of Neshaminy Creek . This is a great place to go on a hot summer day because you can wade in the water and there's plenty of shade. The gorgeous Neshaminy Creek really comes alive in the fall, and the covered bridge along the trail makes this one truly unforgettable destination.
101 Swamp Rd, Newtown, PA 18940
1 hour from Center City.
White Clay Creek State Park is one of the best kept secrets of the area! Miles of trails that lead into Maryland and Pennsylvania along the Mason Dixon line pass historic buildings and fields, and transport you away from the busy urban life. White Clay Creek follows many of the trails, so you can dip your toes in the streams and watch the wildlife along the way. This is also a wonderful spot for some mild mountain biking.
880 New London Rd, Newark, DE 19711
White Clay Creek State Park is one of the best kept secrets of the area! Miles of trails that lead into Maryland and Pennsylvania along the Mason Dixon line pass historic buildings and fields, and transport you away from the busy urban life. White Clay Creek follows many of the trails, so you can dip your toes in the streams and watch the wildlife along the way. This is also a wonderful spot for some mild mountain biking.
880 New London Rd, Newark, DE 19711
1 hour, 15 minutes from Center City.
Baldpate Mountain is my go-to for a quick trip out of the city. The short drive here brings you through the scenic Amwell Valley, and the mountain itself is just past Washington Crossing State Park. You can make your hike as long or as short as you want out here - the full trail length is about 8 miles, including a loop along the top of the ridge, but it's easy to get up to the summit and back down in less than two miles. The view from the top is breathtaking and you can see for miles! There are also plenty of side trails with rocky scrambles if you want to make your adventure a little more intense.
28 Fiddlers Creek Rd, Titusville, NJ 08560
Baldpate Mountain is my go-to for a quick trip out of the city. The short drive here brings you through the scenic Amwell Valley, and the mountain itself is just past Washington Crossing State Park. You can make your hike as long or as short as you want out here - the full trail length is about 8 miles, including a loop along the top of the ridge, but it's easy to get up to the summit and back down in less than two miles. The view from the top is breathtaking and you can see for miles! There are also plenty of side trails with rocky scrambles if you want to make your adventure a little more intense.
28 Fiddlers Creek Rd, Titusville, NJ 08560
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1 hour, 15 minutes from Center City.
Sourland Mountain is similar to Baldpate Mountain, but it's a bit more isolated and offers longer trails. It's the largest continuous forest between Philadelphia and New York City. Many of the trails contain boardwalks, so it is not a challenging hike, and there are lots of spots to scramble and boulder along the way.
421 E Mountain Rd, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844
Sourland Mountain is similar to Baldpate Mountain, but it's a bit more isolated and offers longer trails. It's the largest continuous forest between Philadelphia and New York City. Many of the trails contain boardwalks, so it is not a challenging hike, and there are lots of spots to scramble and boulder along the way.
421 E Mountain Rd, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844
1 hour, 15 minutes from Center City.
Ralph Stover / High Rocks State Park is a large preserve in Pipersville that offers some of the best hiking near Philadelphia, right in Bucks County. It's also a very popular spot for whitewater kayakers, so if the river is flowing high, you'll get to watch the adrenaline junkies from the trail. The cliffs can be dangerous, so if you are not an experienced hiker or climber, stay behind the safety railing along the trails.
150 Tory Rd, Pipersville, PA 18947
Ralph Stover / High Rocks State Park is a large preserve in Pipersville that offers some of the best hiking near Philadelphia, right in Bucks County. It's also a very popular spot for whitewater kayakers, so if the river is flowing high, you'll get to watch the adrenaline junkies from the trail. The cliffs can be dangerous, so if you are not an experienced hiker or climber, stay behind the safety railing along the trails.
150 Tory Rd, Pipersville, PA 18947
1 hour, 30 minutes from Center City.
Haycock Mountain is just about the best bouldering spot in the area. The hike up to the summit is challenging due to a large boulder field, but it's a lot of fun and far from impossible! It's a quick hike to the boulders, and the summit is only 1.5 miles from the parking lot, so you'll have plenty of time to play along the rocks. Once you've reached the top, congratulations - you're at the highest point in Bucks County!
1542 Mountain View Dr, Quakertown, PA 18951
Haycock Mountain is just about the best bouldering spot in the area. The hike up to the summit is challenging due to a large boulder field, but it's a lot of fun and far from impossible! It's a quick hike to the boulders, and the summit is only 1.5 miles from the parking lot, so you'll have plenty of time to play along the rocks. Once you've reached the top, congratulations - you're at the highest point in Bucks County!
1542 Mountain View Dr, Quakertown, PA 18951
1 hour, 30 minutes from Center City.
Ringing Rocks Park is known for the fields of unique stones that ring like bells when you strike them! How cool is that? There is currently no known scientific reason for this phenomenon, and it's absolutely fascinating! A hike through this park will introduce you to these strange stones, as well as Bucks County's largest waterfall.
Ringing Rocks Road, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972
Ringing Rocks Park is known for the fields of unique stones that ring like bells when you strike them! How cool is that? There is currently no known scientific reason for this phenomenon, and it's absolutely fascinating! A hike through this park will introduce you to these strange stones, as well as Bucks County's largest waterfall.
Ringing Rocks Road, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972
2 hours, 15 minutes from Center City.
Though it's just over two hours from the city, I just couldn't leave Mt. Minsi off of this list! The hike, while certainly not easy, leads to impressive views of the Delaware Water Gap and Mount Tammany (pictured here, from the summit of Minsi). It's less crowded than Tammany, and on weekdays or off-peak hours, you might even see a black bear or two just off of the main trail. Take the Appalachian Trail up to the summit for some fun scrambling and stunning overlooks, and walk back along the straightforward fire road!
Delaware Water Gap, PA 18013
Though it's just over two hours from the city, I just couldn't leave Mt. Minsi off of this list! The hike, while certainly not easy, leads to impressive views of the Delaware Water Gap and Mount Tammany (pictured here, from the summit of Minsi). It's less crowded than Tammany, and on weekdays or off-peak hours, you might even see a black bear or two just off of the main trail. Take the Appalachian Trail up to the summit for some fun scrambling and stunning overlooks, and walk back along the straightforward fire road!
Delaware Water Gap, PA 18013
What’s your favorite trail near Philly? How far are you willing to travel for an epic hiking experience?
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