The late-summer heat is finally beginning to break and the crispness of fall is upon us. It’s the perfect time for a bike ride! Philadelphia has some of the nation’s longest bike paths (hello, Circuit Trails) that wind throughout the city and surrounding counties. All you need to do is grab the kids, strap on a helmet, and take a spin.
Oh, and don’t forget your camera. The temperatures are beginning to drop at night, which means the leaves are about to put on their annual show! #happyfallyall
If you’re a parent, babysitter, or nanny looking for the best Philly bike paths to ride with the kids, look no further than these 10 routes.
Wissahickon Valley Park
Address: Valley Green Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Hours: Open daily, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Phone: 215-247-0417
There are several trails to be found in Wissahickon State Park, but the most family-friendly of these has to be Forbidden Trail. The 5.35 miles of mostly wide and level path follow along the Wissahickon Creek. Plan to share the trail with walkers, joggers, and the occasional horse. This is also a great place for sightseeing. The Wissahickon is home to many native plant and bird species, as well as a variety of wildlife, so you don’t want to forget that camera!
Valley Forge National Historical Park
Address: 1400 N. Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 610-783-1099
While it’s less than an hour away from the city by car, Valley Forge National Historical Park actually feels like you’re entering a completely different world. That’s because it’s the location of one of the major turning points of the Revolutionary War. (Hey, George Washington slept here!) Nowadays, the old fort serves as a national park with more than 20 miles of biking trails. As an added bonus, if you can convince your little cyclists to pull over and pop the kickstand for a bit, they may have the opportunity to become official Wildlife Watchers.
Philly Pumptrack
Address: Parkside Ave. N., Philadelphia, PA 19131
Hours: Monday – Friday, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, noon – 7 p.m.
Phone: 267-262-1691
Do you have a future BMX champ in your family? Or are you dying to show your kid that you still have some moves on the track? Philly Pumptrack can help you out either way. The earthen bike track is friendly for all ages and skillsets. On-site volunteers can also help teach your little ones how to safely navigate the course — and they have loaner bikes and helmets if your little novice doesn’t already have their own. Be sure to double check the track’s very active Facebook page before you head over to see if there is an event going on or if there are any weather-related closings.
Radnor Trail
Address: 520 Conestoga Road, Wayne, PA 19087
Hours: Open daily, 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Phone: 610-688-5600
There are a few different places to hop onto this 2.4-mile-long trail. Check the map to find the most convenient entrance for your biking excursion. You will see plenty of other bikers on the trail, as well as walkers, joggers, rollerbladers, and the occasional four-legged friend! It is a very popular location, so you may want to come early to be sure to find parking. The path runs along the now-defunct P&W Rail Line, which is why you may also hear it referred to as the P&W Trail. The park is open year-round and the surrounding areas are host to a variety of outdoor activities, so you can plan to spend the entire day, even if you don’t want to ride the whole time.
Bartram’s Garden
Address: 5400 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19143
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 215-729-5281
One of the shortest bike paths on this list, the Bartram’s Mile clocks in at just about, you guessed it, a mile! The newly opened path runs through Bartram’s Garden and connects the 56th Street Bandstand to the Grays Ferry Bridge — and in 2018, it will also connect to the Grays Ferry Crescent. It’s perfect for a short trip or for someone new to bike riding. With the river at your side and the skyline as a backdrop, it’s the perfect spot for a family picnic. Make sure your bike has a basket!
Ridley Creek State Park
Address: 351 Gradyville Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073
Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset
Phone: 610-892-3900
The Ridley Creek Park Loop is approximately 4.4 miles of paved trail that runs alongside the beautiful Ridley Creek. The park is suited to multiple skill levels, but there is a slight incline, so keep that in mind if it’s been awhile since you’ve ridden a bike. (There is nothing quite like the day after you overdo it on your bike, ya know.) The park has a lot more to offer than just gorgeous scenic views and bustling wildlife. April through November, you can call to sign up for tours of the historic grounds and guided nature hikes. You can also volunteer for park cleanup.
Delaware River Trail
Address: 121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19153
Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset
Phone: 215-922-2FUN
Officially the shortest bike path on the list, the Delaware River Trail runs just 1,400 linear feet. That isn’t the trail’s only claim to fame, either. The trail is the first in the city to have separate paths for walking and riding, as well as a bidirectional bikeway. That may not seem like a big deal until you’ve spent an afternoon navigating around walkers, joggers, and oncoming bike traffic. The setup makes this path especially well-suited to Philadelphians who don’t want to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind while they ride their bikes. (At points, the path is separated from traffic only by a green belt.) There are also big plans for this path, so be sure to check back next year and see how much it has grown.
Schuylkill Banks
Address: Martin Luther King Drive, Philadelphia, PA
Hours: Open daily, 6 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Phone: 215-309-5523
The Schuylkill Banks trail runs more than 25 miles through the city and can be accessed at several junctures, but I want to focus on its Martin Luther King/Kelly Drive Loop, because how cool is riding your bike alongside the Philadelphia Art Museum with skyscrapers and the river for company? This portion of the trail runs approximately 1.5 miles before connecting with Kelly Drive. Every Saturday and Sunday from April until October, Martin Luther King Drive is actually closed to vehicle traffic (7 a.m. – noon) so that bikers and walkers can have free rein. Again, how cool?
John James Audubon Center
Address: 1201 Pawlings Road, Audubon, PA 19403
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Sunday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone: 610-666-5593
Presenting another chance to ride your bike back through history is the path at John James Audubon Center. The site comprises some of the original land Billy Penn “acquired” and dubbed Pennsylvania. The Audubon Loop — the trail that runs through the property — is 2.5 miles long and mostly paved with asphalt, which makes it great for a family ride. If you’re feeling adventurous, the loop intersects with the Schuylkill River Trail and the Perkiomen Trail. Just remember, the farther you go from your parking spot, the farther you have to go to get back to it!
Doylestown Bike and Hike Trail
Address: 425 Wells Road, Doylestown, PA 18901
Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset
Phone: 215-348-9915
The bike trails that wind through the Bucks County seat of Doylestown and Montgomery County are lush with greenery and plenty of scenery. At more than 25 miles, you could cycle your entire weekend away here. You’ll want to consult the map, because there are plenty of places to hop on and off the Doylestown Trail. And it’s always expanding! The community-based project that began in the early ‘90s continues to grow each year. The latest branch of the path opened just this summer.
