Philadelphia offers a great outdoor escape from the city center, with beautiful hiking trails just 10 miles away. The top 6 hikes in the Philadelphia area, ranked from least to most difficult, provide a serene escape from the city’s urban life. Start planning your trip to Philadelphia now book DTW flights from Detroit to Philadelphia and create memories that will last a lifetime.
First trail: Forbidden Drive (5–7 miles).
Philadelphia offers exciting outdoor date suggestions, including a 7-mile flat, gravel walk in Wissahickon Valley Park, a National Natural Landmark near the city center. Forbidden Drive, with an average gradient of 3%, is perfect for newbies, joggers, and families. The park, formerly a logging mill site, protects 2,042 acres of woods near Wissahickon Creek and features picnic spots, important landmarks, and structures.
Forbidden Drive offers access to Lincoln Drive, historic Rittenhouse Town, the Morris Arboretum, Schuylkill River Trail, Wissahickon Green Ribbon Hiking Trail, the Chester Valley Trail, and the Neshaminy State Park route. Explore scenic trails like the Schuylkill River Trail and Wissahickon Green Ribbon Hiking Trail.
John Heinz Wildlife Refuge trails up to 10 miles.
Philadelphia’s John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, the largest freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania, offers over 300 bird species and 80 nesting types. Open from sunrise to sunset, its flat path provides an ideal spot for birding and nature walks, offering stunning vistas of the cityscape.
Easy paths along Big Boardwalk Loop Trail, surrounding John Heinz Lake, meander through marshes, meadows, and woodlands.
#3 Penny Pack Trail: 5.4 miles of intermediate hiking.
Penny Pack Park, a local favorite, offers a moderate challenge on 1,600 acres of varied terrain near Wissahickon Gorge. The walk offers scenic views, historic buildings, and tranquil creek-side scenery, with paved and unpaved roads for a challenging experience.
#4 Valley Forge Trails offer moderate hiking distances.
Valley Forge, located 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia, was George Washington’s winter camp during the American Revolutionary War. The historical park offers a variety of trails, stunning scenery, and historical monuments, including General James Varnum’s Quarters, Washington’s Headquarters, the National Memorial Arch, Muhlenberg Brigade Huts, Steuben Memorial Redoubts, and Wayne’s Woods Picnic Area.
#5 Pinnacle and Pulpit Rock Loop Trail (9.3 miles)
Philadelphia’s Pinnacle and Pulpit Rock Loop, located 60 miles northwest, offers a challenging 9.2-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail, providing stunning views of the Lehigh Valley from the Pinnacle and Pulpit Rock overlook. The loop takes 4 hours, so pack essentials like food, water, sunscreen, and proper clothing. For a more challenging trek, consider High Rocks in Tohickon Valley Park.
#6 Glen Onoko Falls Trail: 3.7 miles
The Glen Onoko Falls Trail offers a challenging hike with steep inclines, rocky terrain, and slick surfaces. It will pass stunning waterfalls and offers panoramic views of Leigh Gorge from the viewpoint, making it ideal for experienced hikers seeking a challenge. What are you waiting for? Pack your bags, reserve a flight from Detroit to Philadelphia, and spend the weekend with your loved ones.
Read More: Things to do before moving to Philadelphia / Detroit to Philadelphia flights
