hi all. I'll be in philadelphia for a couple days in early june. Just curious what hiking options are around there. Any local recommendations?

In all honesty, there's not a whole lot immediately around philly that's good hiking. There's fairmount park and some trails in Manayunk (a suburb of philadelphia) but these are both more leisurely stroll than actual hike. Although, if you're into bouldering fairmount park can be a fun place to explore.

The historical district is completely urban, and not a very long hike, but you can add in the colorful Italian Market or Art Museum for some extra milage . Fairmont Park along the Schuylkill has more trees and interesting buildings (Art Museum, Old Water Works, boat house row. The upper part of Fairmont Park along Wissahickon Creek is a nice 6 mile hike in a wooded gorge (by east coast standards). About 20 min from downtown (without traffic) is Valley Forge Park which has lots of open grassland and a few wooded trails. About an hour drive to the northwest is French Creek State Park which is almost completely wooded and has many trails.

But if you want solitude in the wilderness and spectacular vistas, fuggetaboutit.

this fairmont park is sounding interesting. I'd also planned already to do some 'history hiking' at least to independence hall, liberty bell, etc. thanks for the info!

If you can get out of Philly, Valley Forge is about 45 minutes away. Some easy historical walks (or biking) and a few short but fun trails through surrounding hills.

Also, the highpoint of Deleware is only about 35 minutes away.

mountainal wrote:this fairmont park is sounding interesting. I'd also planned already to do some 'history hiking' at least to independence hall, liberty bell, etc. thanks for the info!

Be careful what you take into the liberty bell house. I wasn't admitted once because I had a screw driver in my backpack. They considered it a weapon.

Art Museum - you gotta do the Rocky run! don't forget the soundtrack...

and forget about hiking, Philly is all about food - you gotta do this Philly street food tour: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/28/dinin ... tutes.html

welle wrote:and forget about hiking, Philly is all about food

Pat's vs. Geno's...let's get ready to RUMBLE!

Alpinisto wrote:

welle wrote:and forget about hiking, Philly is all about food

Pat's vs. Geno's...let's get ready to RUMBLE!

I like Jim's on South street better. Shit. This thread is making me hungry.

welle wrote:I like Jim's on South street better. Shit. This thread is making me hungry.

Mmm. Just had me a big ole cheesesteak for lunch! The place I go is outside Philly proper, but damn good anyway!

elichten wrote:
Also, the highpoint of Deleware is only about 35 minutes away.

this was actually on my list. I've looked at valley forge too. and of course, I'll be eating myself a cheesesteak or two

Livesay Rocks in Fairmount Park....locally famous top roping area. Same area has some enjoyable trails along the Wissahickon Creek.

If you have a car and can drive about an hour, French Creek SP has some nice trails in the rolling hills. Well maintained, and away from the urban center. I've run there a bunch, great get away from the city, and not too far. The AT is also about an hour and a half away, but those trails are insanely rocky.

Eric

thebeave7 wrote:If you have a car and can drive about an hour, French Creek SP has some nice trails in the rolling hills.
Eric

I'll second French Creek, I hike there all the time. I'd suggest the mountain bike trails on the southeast side of the park. The terrain is a little more varied and interesting.

I just looked at the sate park's description and french creek does sound pretty nice.