Hiking
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Green Lane Park Offers Fun Water and Land-Based Activities for Everyone
Green Lane Park, located in western Montgomery County, offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, boating, and camping. The 3,400-acre park has two camping areas, one for families and organized groups and one for equestrian camping. The park also includes three separate bodies of water totaling 870 acres. Park visitors can fish at Knight Lake. Privately-owned non-powered and electric boats can be used on Deep Creek Lake; rentals are available on Green Lane Reservoir (privately-owned boats can be used after a 10-day quarantine.) Boat rentals are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day at the Hill Road Day Use Area. There are 25…
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Chester Valley Trail Connects Counties, Improves Accessibility
The Chester Valley Trail Extension is officially open for business. Though skies were gray and threatening, the rain held off, allowing local dignitaries to officially open the newest Philly-area trail. This paved path connects the Chester Valley and Schuylkill River Trails, providing a continuous hiking and biking route from Chester County to the Philadelphia Art Museum. Connecting Trails, and Counties The Philadelphia area is home to hundreds of miles of trails, but few are connected. Now two of the area’s most popular trails have been linked, providing greater opportunity for residents who want an alternative way to get around or simply easier access to more places to explore. Most of…
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The “Nest Best Thing” in Montgomery County, New Audubon Museum Has Something for Everyone
The new museum at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove seamlessly blends art and nature into an education center that is sure to create a new generation of birders. The result of 15 years of planning, the new jewel in the Mill Grove site demonstrates the best possible result of a public/private collaboration. Funding for the museum came from local and state government as well as contributions from private individuals and foundation supporters. Representatives from the local and national Audubon Societies as well as local officials were actively involved in the planning process which has been well thought out and executed. With a design reminiscent of a bird…
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A Walk Along the Wissahickon
Trails to Try A series of articles dedicated to hiking trails in the Philadelphia area The Green Ribbon Trail The Wissahickon Creek is part of the history of the Philadelphia area. The word Wissahickon comes from the Lenape word for “catfish creek” or “yellow water. “ Covering 23 miles, the creek generally is a mellow stream traveling through parks and woodland, but over the final seven miles, the creek drops over 100 feet in altitude, creating a gorge. While the most well-known and popular trail along the creek is Forbidden Drive, further north in the suburbs, another hiking trail runs through Montgomery County. The Green Ribbon Trail is a 12.6…
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A Hidden Hike in Suburban Montgomery County
Trails to Try A series of articles dedicated to hiking trails in the Philadelphia area The Skippack Creek Loop Trail Hidden in the suburbs of Montgomery County, Evansburg State Park, a 3000+ area on both sides of the Skippack Creek, includes a variety of landscapes, from forests to meadows including the creek and former farmland. Located just off Route 73 between Norristown and Collegeville, if you miss the signs you won’t even know it’s there. The park offers a number of recreational activities, including hiking which, while rated “easy” provides more of a challenge than the area rail trails. The Skippack Creek Loop Trail, in the center of Evansburg State…
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Exploring the Great Outdoors – In Philadelphia?
Trails to Try A series of articles dedicated to hiking trails in the Philadelphia area The Schuylkill Center It seems hard to believe, but you can go hiking and leave city sights and sounds behind, all without leaving the city. The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education has over three miles of trails that loop and interconnect over the nature center’s 340 acres. With something for everyone, the trails vary in difficulty, from the flat, paved Widener Trail to the one-mile Ravine Loop which has some steep sections. Once you leave the paved trail leading away from the nature center, the sounds fall away, leaving you free to enjoy nature…
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It’s Easy to Find Hiking Trails In Lower Montgomery County
It is easy to find open space in Montgomery County, PA. Since hiking involves very little in the way of gear or preparation, it is a great way to get started enjoying the outdoors. Montco has hundreds of miles of trails, ranging from paved paths to rugged dirt trails, some of which are shared by bicyclists and equestrians. While this is by no means an all-inclusive list, here are some suggestions to get you started in the southern half of the county. If you have an hour or two Many local parks such as Fischer’s Park in Towamencin or Penllyn Woods in Lower Gwynedd offer walking paths and/or hiking trails…
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Here’s Your Excuse to Go Take a Hike
National Take a Hike Day is held every November 17. The Adventure Travel Trade Association recently reported that hiking is the most popular outdoor activity. Of course this makes sense as it is the simplest activity to start. Though there are many hiking specific items you can purchase to make your hike more comfortable and interesting, you probably have everything you need readily at hand. Thanks to the efforts of Maurice K. Goddard, director of the PA Department of Parks and Forest in the mid-1900s, just about every Pennsylvanian has easy access to some outdoor area. There are 2.5 million acres of state parks and forests in the commonwealth and…
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Audubon Loop Provides Easy Access to Nature
The Philly burbs have an abundance of hiking options for hikers of all abilities. A few weeks ago, we decided to head out, with a few requirements. We needed to be relatively close to Norristown, we wanted something we could easily complete in a couple hours and we needed a stroller-friendly trail. We found all this in the Audubon Loop in Oaks. After parking at the Pawlings Road Trailhead parking lot, we took a look at the posted map and headed to our right, toward Pawlings Rd., and then turned left to go over Rt 422. Though this section was rather sunny, after we walked past St. Gabriel’s residential treatment…
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This Weekend: Hikes, Birds and Prepare to Get Lost
You may be planning on eating too much next week, making this weekend a good time to get outside and walk. The following area organizations have activities planned this weekend. Remember to check their websites for details, as some require pre-registration and some charge fees. On Saturday morning, you can head to Churchville Nature Center or John Heinz Wildlife Refuge to explore the area with birding experts, or participate in Beginning Birding for Adults at Palmyra Cove Nature Park. On Sunday afternoon, the staff at Rancocas Nature Center will teach you about the eight species of owls that over-winter in New Jersey. Rancocas Nature Center and Natural Lands Trust (NLT)…
