Your Guide to Exploring the Best Trails Around Glenside
One of the best parts about the upcoming fall season is the changing leaves, and there’s no better place to see the scenery than on a walk, run, or hike. Not only is this the best time of the year to be out in nature, but it also provides a much-needed break from a heavy workload or class schedule. If you’re new to the area, or are simply just someone who spends all of their time at the library, you may not know where to start– but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
Every Sunday morning, the cross country team drives to a different trail or park for our long runs. This gives us a chance to have a break from the infamous Glenside hills, and after spending a couple years running trail to trail, I have a list of go-to spots.
Forbidden Drive (Wissahickon Valley Park Trail – photo above): Forbidden Drive is a classic walking and running trail, with a creek, bridges, and trees shading the path. It’s a little over a 10-minute drive, so it’s a great place to go that’s not too far. It does tend to be a little more crowded, so you will see families out and about, college teams from around Philly on a run, and best of all, plenty of dogs being walked.
Lorimer Park and Pennypack Park: These two trails are connected, with Lorimer starting on one end in Eastern Abington and Pennypack starting at the other in Philadelphia. Both are around a 15- to 20-minute drive and have parking lots on each end. These trails are my go-to’s for when I need something low-impact, because the ground is soft and flat
Kelly Drive: If you’re like me and want to see Philly without dealing with the traffic, Kelly Drive might be right up your alley. At about 30 to 35 minutes away, this is a flat loop that takes you by the Schuylkill Banks. Along the way you’ll see some cool spots like BoatHouse Row, and most importantly, the loop passes in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The full loop is 8.5 miles so it’s fairly lengthy, but still worth the view.
Fort Washington State Park: This park has a trail branching off from the main road, and if you’re someone who likes a hillier path, Fort Washington will have you covered. This park is a popular spot for disc golf, as well as fishing and picnicking. I have found when I’m running here, it feels more secluded and tucked away in the woods and I can feel more connected to nature. Although getting to these trails does require taking a car, this trail is only a 10-minute drive, making it the closest and easy to access.
Valley Forge National Historical Park: This park has a path leading past the historical monuments of Valley Forge, and even though it can be crowded, it’s an exciting alternative to a traditional trail. Valley Forge was the encampment site of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, so in addition to being a cool place to run, there are also driving, trolley, and bike tours offered to anyone interested in learning about the history behind the namesake, plus a museum open 9am-5pm daily. It is a bit farther away at around a 25-minute drive, but it may be just what you’re looking for.
