Where to go hiking near Philadelphia

More than 300 bird species have been recorded in this urban escape in Tinicum, which sits just steps outside the city. One of the best ways to experience the diverse lifeforms that flourish around the largest freshwater tidal marsh in the state is by hiking the Wetland Loop Trail, a relatively flat and easy 3.5-mile trek. Overall, the refuge has more than 10 miles of trails across 1,000 acres of diverse wetlands.

High Rocks is the name for a vista that overlooks a series of 200-foot-tall cliffs of red Brunswick shale in Bucks County. Hiking trails to the site start in both Ralph Stover State Park and Tohickon Valley Park. Visitors say the trails can be rocky and muddy, so wear a good pair of boots. You can see a map of the roughly three-mile hike here.

Wissahickon Valley Park is one of the lushest environments in the city. And with more than 50 miles of trails, there’s plenty to hike. For a relatively easy trip, try Forbidden Drive, which follows the course of the Wissahickon Creek. It’s a gravel path, so it’s not too hard on the feet. If you’re looking for something a bit more challenging, check the online maps to find the color-coded trail that matches your skill level. Forbidden Drive connects to the Schuylkill River Trail via the Lincoln Drive Trail, so it’s possible to walk or bike the whole way there. Or you can access the park from Valley Green Inn, or a handful of other trailheads.

Once you’ve mastered the day hikes, set your sites a little higher with an overnight trek in a state forest. Try the Loyalsock Trail and Link Trail Loop. It’s 17 miles with first-come-first-serve campsites in the middle. If you’re feeling up for it, you can tack on a five-mile out-and-back to the Haystacks Rapids. Obviously, the stakes are higher on an overnight hike, so plan accordingly. Make sure you’ve got enough food, water, a water purifier, a map, dry socks—and much more. And there are a few steep scrambles along the trail, so bring snacks to re-energize before or after the difficult parts.

Trade/the rocky trails of Pennsylvania for the “beaches'' of New Jersey with this easy, 4.1-mile round-trip through the packed-sand trails of the Pine Barrens. Tack on a mile or two and swing by the historic Batsto Village, a well-preserved 19th-century company town that was once a bustling center of industry and agriculture. Nearby, Wharton State Forest has more than 50 miles of marked hiking trails if you’d like to plan for a longer stay.

As a hike, the trail to Ringing Rocks isn’t much—less than a mile of pretty easy walking. But the real draw is the bizarre boulder field that gives the park its name. The rocks resonate like bells when you hit them with a hammer. You have to hear it to believe it. Located only about 20 minutes' drive from High Rocks, you can make a day out of both attractions.

Another great boulder field in the area is this 18-acre site in Hickory Run State Park. Probably the work of a glacier during the last ice age, the boulder field is now a National Natural Landmark. Try the Boulder Field Trail, a 3.5-mile moderate hike. You’re going to want to wear good shoes because once you get to the boulder field, you have to jump around on the wobbling rocks, which can be as long as 26 feet. Not enough for ya? Hickory Run has two-dozen hiking options with over 44 miles of trails.

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Covering 365 acres in Northwest Philadelphia, the Schuylkill Center is the largest privately owned open space in the city. It only has a modest 3 miles of hiking trails, but there’s plenty to see across the nine routes. We’d suggest either the Wildflower Loop or Ravine Loop in the spring, the best time to gawk at a wide variety of dazzling ephemerals, including Virginia bluebells, spring beauties, and trilliums.

If you live in the Philly area for any length of time, sooner or later, you make your way to Ricketts Glen State Park. The scenery, which crisscrosses most of the park’s 22-named waterfalls, is among the best in the region. Unfortunately, that means that on warm weekends, the trail, which is very steep and narrow in certain sections, gets really crowded. But on the bright side, probably because of its popularity, it’s very well-maintained. The drive takes at least two and a half hours, so make a weekend of it and camp in the park or one of the many private campgrounds nearby.

Definitely pack binoculars when you hike the 4.5-mile Lookout Trail on Hawk Mountain—it’s one of the best places in the area to watch raptors. The bird sanctuary has a range of hiking options onsite, culminating in panoramic views. It also offers educational programs, and a trove of programming for kids.

The Pennsylvania portion of the Appalachian Trail is infamously rocky. But the scenic views on Mt. Minsi make the discomfort worth it. Take a day to do this five-mile trek through the Delaware Water Gap. You’ll get great scenery of the river, and of Mt. Tammany across the way in New Jersey—and even of the highway.

Everybody knows that Belmont Plateau in West Fairmount Park offers one of the best views of the Philadelphia skyline. But fewer know that in the woods around the iconic park, there’s a series of trails used for mountain bike and cross-country races. The trails are great for easy hiking, too. The Belmont Plateau Cross Country Hall of Fame keeps course maps online. While you’re there, check out the 200-year-old Chamounix Mansion, now operating as lodging for large private groups visiting the city.