Delaware County PA and Surrounding Area Trails, Parks and Places to Walk and Hike

Whether walking or hiking, jogging or running, Delaware County PA and its surrounding areas have many beautiful locations that are perfect for getting out and enjoying nature and all that it has to offer. By request of many readers I have complied a round up of local spots that may be worth checking out if you are looking for new places to get outdoors and explore.  Please be sure to check the links to each location for more details about the location, addresses, maps, hours and of course any updates with openings and closures.  We will add to the list as we learn of new locations so feel free to bookmark this post for future use!

**Please consult individual websites for each location for updates and closures or limitations due to Covid-19**

Ashbridge Preserve – 1691 E Strasburg Rd, West Chester, PA

Benjamin Franklin Bridge Walkway Philadelphia – access to the walkway is located at 5th and Race Street, Philadelphia, across the street from the U.S. Mint. In New Jersey, the walkway can be accessed at 4th and Pearl Street.

Binky Lee Preserve  – 1445 Pikeland Rd Chester Springs, PA – Hiking, 3 – 6 Miles

Chester Creek Trail–  249 W Knowlton Rd Media PA – This is a paved trail.  It does not loop.

Crum Woods Trails and Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College – 500 College Ave Swarthmore PA

Darby Creek Trail and Kent Dog Park  Drexel Hill PA

Darlington Trail Media PA 

Fairmount Park Philadelphia – Consists of East and West Fairmount Park – According to the website “East Fairmount Park is home to the famous Schuylkill River Trail and its Boathouse Row, the Philadelphia Art Museum, East Park Reservoir, Smith Memorial Playground, and several historic houses” “West Fairmount Park is home to the Please Touch Museum, the Philadelphia Zoo, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, the Horticulture Center, Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, Concourse Lake, and much more”

FDR Park Philadelphia 1500 Pattison Ave, Philadelphia – According to the website “In addition to sports fields, there are trails perfect for walking and running, convenient fishing spots along Edgewood and Meadow Lakes, and lawns ideal for picnics with family or friends” There is also a Skate Park, Tennis Courts, Golf Course, Baseball Fields, Rugby Fields and more.

Glen Providence Park Media, PA – 550 W. State Street Media, PA – According to the website “Glen Providence Park has about 2 miles of trailswith distinct personalities and plant species, with views of the wetlands fed from natural springs that line Broomall’s Run.  Most trails lead to the serene pond at the park’s center.  Make sure you explore it all – use our Trail Map! You can also download the 1941 Nature Guide which includes a walking tour of the park.”

Governor Printz Park  2nd Street and Taylor Avenue, Essington, PA – Paved walking track around the perimeter of the park

Haverford Reserve Trails Haverford, PA – (**Please note that according to the website The WOODS TRAIL is on the Quadrangle Senior Living Campus, which has banned non-essential visitors during the Covid-19 Epidemic Response. Please DO NOT use this trail during this time**) According to the website, “Within and around the Reserve, there are over five miles of walking trails that you can use from dawn to dusk.”

Hildacy Farm Preserve in Marple – 1031 Palmers Mill Road, Media, PA -According to the website, 55 acres, 3-6 miles of hiking

John Heinz Wildlife Refuge (can be accessed from Rt 420 in Prospect Park or 1500 Lindbergh Blvd in Philadelphia)

Kelly Drive Philadelphia – According to the website “Kelly Drive Loop is a nearly nine-mile lap that hugs both sides of the Schuylkill River” Kelly Drive consists of East and West River Drive.  This is a paved loop

Kent Park in Marple  (off of Cedar Grove Rd Broomall)

Little Crum Creek Park Swarthmore, PA Cresson Ln & Columbia Ave Swarthmore, PA Cute little short trail perfect for those with little ones, toddlers.  Trail has a Storybook Walk which can be read as you make your way through the small trail.

McKaig Nature Education Center – 889 Croton Rd, Wayne, PA

New Ardmore Avenue Park in Marple According to the website “While it has no real trails, you can walk the perimeter of this park, located on New Ardmore Avenue.”

Newlin Grist Mill Glen Mills – 219 Cheyney Rd Glen Mills, PA According to the website “The Newlin Grist Mill and the surrounding 160-acre park is a place for exploration of both history and the environment. With its working grist mill, programs, and nature trails, the Newlin Grist Mill is where Learning Is Fun!”

Okehocking Preserve in Newtown Square – 5316 West Chester Pike Newtown Square, PA – According to the website “The 180 acre Okehocking Preserve contains meadows, uplands, wetlands, Ridley Creek riparian areas, and mature woods, and provides passive recreation and about 7 miles of mown and wooded natural surface trails.”

Navy Yard Philadelphia 4500 S Broad Street Philadelphia, PA – According to the website “The Navy Yard has over 20 acres of parks and a mile of waterfront trail.”

Radnor Trail – 520 Conestoga Road Wayne, PA According to the website “The 2.4 mile trail runs from Radnor-Chester Road to Sugartown Road. With several key connections located along the part-macadam, part-crushed stone trail surface, multiple uses include walking, jogging, hiking, biking, and rollerblading.”

Ridley Creek State Park Media PA – 1023 Sycamore Mills Rd. Media PA For GPS, use the following address: 351 Gradyville Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073 According to the website “Ridley Creek State Park encompasses more than 2,606 acres of Delaware County woodlands and meadows.”

Ridley Lake Park – Constitution Terrace and W Ridley Avenue Ridley Park – Walking path around the perimeter of the lake

Ringing Rocks County Park – Ringing Rocks Road, Upper Black Eddy, PA – Bring Hammers to “ring the rocks” – Boulder Field, Hiking, Nature trails, Waterfall

Rocky Run Trail  According to the website “Rocky Run Trail, located in large part on property owned by the Natural Lands Trust, is directly accessible from a parking lot adjacent to the Valley Road bridge over the Rocky Run and is approximately 2-1/2 miles in length with white trail markers.”

Rose Tree Park Media, PA – 1671 N. Providence Road Media, PA

Rushton Woods Preserve – 911 Delchester Road, Newtown Square, PA  86-acres, two miles of public walking and riding trails with connections to a broader network of trails in the Willistown area and beyond

Saunders Woods Preserve Gladwyne –  1020 Waverly Road, Gladwyne, PA

Schuylkill River Trail According to the website “This recreational path runs along the Schuylkill River from Center City Philadelphia, through Valley Forge National Historical Park in Montgomery County and ends in Parker Ford, PA. The 30-mile trail is a favorite for bicycle clubs, families, runners and walkers.”

Smedley Park Springfield According to the website “From a short walk along the creek, to a full day spent riding the trails, Smedley has multiple options to help you spend time enjoying the great outdoors. Check out our park map for a full list of trails.”  

Stroud Preserve – Natural Lands – 454 North Creek Road, West Chester, PA According to the website “Stroud Preserve is a mosaic of once-pastured grasslands, working farmlands, and woodlands that serves as a unique site for recreation, education, and scientific research.” 571 acres, Hiking, 6 – 9 Miles

Valley Forge National Historical Park – (According to the website currently closed due to Covid-19 – please consult website for updates) 1400 North Outer Line Drive King of Prussia, PA – The regional Schuylkill River Trail remains open for through users; however, no access or parking is available within the park.

Veterans Memorial Park – Marple – 354 Lawrence Rd, Broomall, PA According to the website “The 0.3 mile Loop Path is popular for walking, running and casual cycling.”

Wawa Preserve – Valley Road, Media, PA – According to the website, “Visitors can enjoy trails that traverse a variety of habitats, including dense woodlands along Rocky Run Creek and sunny meadows filled with milkweed, goldenrod, and little bluestem.”

West Goshen Park West Chester 1023 Fernhill Rd, West Chester, PA (located at the intersection of Fern Hill and North Five Points Roads near Ice Line) 0.8 mile paved walking path – According to the website “The Community Park is equipped with two basketball courts, one softball field, one Little League baseball field, adult hardball field, four tennis courts, and two sand volleyball courts.”

The Willows – 490 Darby-Paoli Road Villanova, PA According to the website: “Willows Park is a 47.5-acre estate” “Features include a picturesque pond with flowing fountains, sweeping panoramas of stately trees, and flowering plants. The grounds are great for a hike, lunch in the picnic area, or just to sit on a bench and take in the scenery.”

Wissahickon Trail According to the website “The Wissahickon Trail, also known as the Green Ribbon Preserve Trail, will run from the Liberty Bell Trail in the North Penn area to Philadelphia’s Forbidden Drive Trail in the Fairmount Park System. The trail is currently an existing walking path that stretches along the Wissahickon Creek from Stenton Avenue in Whitemarsh Township to a point near Lansdale Borough.”