Hiking
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Looking for a Quick, Easy Hike? Zacharias Creek Trail May Be Just What You’re Looking For
The Zacharias Creek Trail is a not-quite 2-mile trail (one way) that runs from Heebner Park to Green Hill Road in Worcester. The mostly wide path offers an easy walk with enough shaded areas to make it comfortable on a hot day. The trail is crushed stone and asphalt with the occasional boardwalk, and has only slight elevation change. It travels along the Zacharias Creek, passing fields and old stone buildings. While it also goes past some neighborhoods, overall the trail is quiet enough that you can hear birds and possibly other wildlife.
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Find Nature and History Along the Pennypack Trail
The Pennypack Trail is part of the Montgomery County Trail Network and the planned East Coast Greenway, as well as the Circuit Trails and checks a box on the Montco Trail Challenge. The 6.2-mile trail was built on the former Fox Chase-Newtown SEPTA line and follows the Pennypack Creek. The northern section of the crushed stone trail starts at Rockledge Park and continues north to County Line Road where it meets the Newton Rail Trail. The southern segment runs from 8639 Pine Road in Philadelphia to the creek’s mouth at the Delaware River where it connects with the Baxter Trail. Like many of the area trails, it seamlessly blends pastoral…
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Cynwyd Heritage Trail Links Open Space to City
The Cynwyd Heritage Trail offers interesting views on an accessible trial
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Crum Woods Is One Of Delco’s Few Remaining Forests
If you’re looking for a respite from the busy-ness of life without having to travel too far, Delaware County, PA’s Crum Woods offers 3.5 miles of trails, the perfect amount to occupy a couple hours and maybe catch a glimpse of some wildlife (such as the Pileated woodpecker in the image below). College. While immersed in nature, you may be reminded of the proximity of civilization if you hear (and may catch a glimpse of) a SEPTA train or when the trail takes you close enough to see college buildings and parking lots. The trails run along the Crum Creek, named Crumkill, meaning “crooked creek” by Swedish settlers to the…
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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…