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    • Top 10 Bike Paths in Philly: Routes for Every City Cyclist

    With hundreds of miles of scenic bike paths running through Greater Philadelphia, it’s no wonder so many Philly residents are avid bicyclists. If you’re looking for new routes to try in town, check out our list of the city’s best bike paths–then hop on your bike and start exploring!

    First Look at Philadelphia’s Best Bike Trails:

    • Most Popular Bike Trail: Schuylkill River Trail
    • Best Views of the Philly Skyline: Benjamin Franklin Bridge Pedestrian Walkway
    • Best Nature Bike Trail in the City: Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon Valley Park
    • Best Bike Path for Mountain Biking: Blue Marsh Lake  
    • Best Bike Trail for the Summer: Chester Creek Trail 
    • Best Bike Routes for Flat Cycling: Sycamore Mills Road Trail and Forge Road Trail in Ridley Creek State Park
    • Quietest Bike Path: Boxers’ Trail
    • Best Long-Distance Bike Path: Delaware Canal Towpath
    • Best Mile-Long Bike Route: Bartram’s Mile Trail

    1. Schuylkill River Trail and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Loop: Most Popular Bike Trail in Philadelphia

    Schuylkill River Trail is by far the most popular bike trail in Philly for residents and visitors alike. It’s so well-loved, in fact, that it’s even rated #13 among all activities in the city by hundreds of reviewers on Tripadvisor. 

    This is the perfect place to start if you haven’t been out on your bike around the city yet. It’s not too long or challenging, so it’s a great choice if you’re planning to bike with kids and don’t want to overwhelm them.

    One of the best parts about this path? There’s no shortage of scenic views of its namesake river, as the entire 8.7-mile loop runs along either side of the waterway. USA Today even put it at #3 on their list of the country’s best Riverwalks in 2021. 

    You’ll also pass landmarks like the Philadelphia Museum of Art (where the trail begins), Laurel Hill Cemetery, and Boathouse Row, so if you’re looking to spend a day out and about and take a break from bicycling, there are tons of potential activities abound. 

    The Schuylkill River Trail isn’t complete yet, so you can expect this already enjoyable trail to become even more impressive in the coming years. Once complete, it will run an estimated 120 miles, from Fort Mifflin in Philly all the way to the source of the river in picturesque Schuylkill County.

    2. Benjamin Franklin Bridge Pedestrian Walkway: Best Bike Trail for Views of the City in Philadelphia 

    If enjoying cityscape vistas is a priority, choose the pedestrian walkway of the Ben Franklin Bridge, which stretches 1.5 across the Delaware River and connects Philly with Camden, New Jersey. As an added bonus, the bridge itself is beautiful as well as historic, having been built in 1926. This slow-motion, first-person video of the walkway at sunset provides a great preview of what to expect.

    We’d suggest that you enter at 5th and Race Streets (right across the street from the U.S. Mint) and head out and then back to experience the bridge’s incredible views from both directions. After your bike ride, relax at the Race Street Pier for even more excellent views of the bridge and the Delaware River.

    3. Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon Valley Park: Best Bike Path for Nature in Philly 

    Although this trail runs right through the city, it certainly doesn’t feel like it! You can expect to see all kinds of birds and other wildlife, a variety of plant species, and water features like natural springs and streams. The Wissahickon Gorge has even been officially designated as an “Important Birding Area” by the experts at the National Audubon Society. 

    So if you’re seeking a respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life, Wissahickon Valley Park is an oasis of natural beauty and pretty much the ideal escape. It was even named Pennsylvania Trail of the Year by the DCNR in 2018.

    In addition to the abundant natural beauty, you’ll also be right near the Valley Green Inn. Here, you can refuel with a delicious, hearty lunch or dinner while also enjoying a bit of history: the inn was built in 1850 and is the last of the roadhouses that used to stand all along Forbidden Drive. 

    4. Blue Marsh Lake: Best Bike Path for Mountain Biking in Philadelphia

    Are you more into mountain biking up and down hills than riding long, flat stretches on a road bike? Blue Marsh Lake’s 36 miles of trails will probably be your best bet, as long as your mountain biking skills are intermediate-level or above. 

    In addition to plenty of hills, you’ll also cross through lots of open fields, and over a mix of gravel, dirt, and paved roads throughout this park’s 6,100 acres. There’s no better place near Philly to work on improving your mountain biking ability. And if you have a dog who loves to swim, consider bringing them to this dog-friendly swimming spot nearby!

    5. Chester Creek Trail: Best Bike Trail for a Hot Summer Day in Philly 

    If you’re going out for a bike ride on a hot day, you’ll definitely want to choose a bike path with plenty of tree coverage shielding you from the sun with its precious shade. Chester Creek Trail is a great choice for summer bike rides because it’s thoroughly protected by a verdant canopy of trees along its whole length. And if you get too hot and sweaty and need to take a break, there are plenty of benches along the path where you can catch your breath.

    There’s a bit of interesting history here, too–it’s a rail trail, meaning that its route used to be a railway before the track was removed and replaced with a paved path. To get a sense of what this trail is like before you head out, check out this YouTube video for a bicyclist’s-eye view of the Chester Creek Trail. 

    • Webpage: https://chestercreektrail.org/ 
    • Type of trail: Paved and mostly flat; shared with walkers and runners
    • Location: There are two parking areas, one at 249 West Knowlton Road and one at 649 Mount Alverno Road, both in Media (more info here)
    • Length: 2.8 miles

    6. Sycamore Mills Road Trail and Forge Road Trail in Ridley Creek State Park: Best Bike Route for Flat Cycling in Philly 

    Sick of huffing and puffing up steep hills, or dealing with rough terrain? Take your bike out on a flat, paved, 5-mile trail through the 2,600 acres of rolling woodlands and meadows that make up Ridley Creek State Park! 

    The park is named after the beautiful creek that runs through it, and although it’s in Delaware County, and feels like you’re in the middle of the wilderness, it’s located just 16 miles from Center City. 

    7. Boxers’ Trail: Quietest Bike Trail in Philadelphia 

    This trail is lovely for a number of reasons, including its abundance of trees and its views of East Fairmount Park’s stunning and historic mansions, like the gargantuan Strawberry Mansion. However, our favorite aspect of Boxers’ Trail is that it’s almost never busy. 

    If you’re looking to experience some natural beauty, find some peace and quiet, and avoid the crowds, this is an ideal pick. The only time it may be more crowded is during the yearly Boxers’ Trail 5K Run/Walk, so we’d recommend avoiding it on that day! 

    If you’re curious about the unusual name, it’s related to the history of this trail. The trail is known for having been used as a training route for boxers, including the famous Joe Frazier. According to the Fairmount Park Conservancy, “when Muhammad Ali wanted to challenge Joe Frazier, he came to the Boxers’ Trail because he knew he could find Frazier there.” 

    These days, boxers still use this trail for jogging. What a cool and unexpected bit of Philly lore! 

    8. Centennial Loop: Best Bike Trail for Families in Philadelphia 

    This is another mixed-use path through Fairmont Park, perfect for a short bike ride with children. The entirely paved route goes through grassy fields, past the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, and around the 700-acre Centennial District, which is the site of the historic Centennial Exposition of 1876 (the first World’s Fair held in the U.S.). 

    We’re also recommending this 5K-length loop for kids because it starts right behind the unique Please Touch Museum, which is (as you might have guessed) a hands-on museum that’s geared toward kids. This means that if you’re spending a day out on the town with your child, you can easily head to the adjacent museum for a few hours before or after biking the Centennial Loop. 

    9. Delaware Canal Towpath: Best Bike Path for Long-Distance Rides Near Philly

     

    Bicyclists who want to bike for several hours straight and dozens of miles should give the 60-mile Delaware Canal towpath a try. Previously dominated by teams of working mules pulling boats along the canal, it runs along the idyllic Delaware River from Easton to Bristol, with a wide variety of scenery along its length: shoreline views of the river, farm fields, and lovely towns brimming with history. 

    You can even create a loop that goes from Delaware Canal State Park in Pennsylvania to the D&R Canal State Park in New Jersey. There are seven river bridges connecting these canals, so there are a total of 11 different loop routes you can take, all of which are different lengths. Check out the Friends of the Delaware Canal’s map of PA/NJ canal loops for more guidance on how to accomplish this.

    Unsure if the views on the Delaware Canal towpath are worth your while? Check out this first-person perspective video of a bike ride starting at the Bull’s Island Recreation Area, crossing the Lumberville-Raven Rock Pedestrian Bridge, and eventually looping back to Bull’s Island. You’ll see some impressive vistas that may convince you to make the trip!

    10. Bartram’s Mile Trail: Best Mile-Long Bike Path in Philadelphia 

    Perhaps you’re getting back on your bike for the first time in a while and you need to start with an easy ride, or you had a strenuous workout session the day before but still want to enjoy some soothing outdoor scenery. Either way, anyone seeking a short, low-effort bike ride can’t go wrong with Bartram’s Mile, which is one small segment of the larger Schuylkill River Trail (that’s #1 on this list). 

    Over the course of this 1.5-mile trail, you’ll be able to enjoy views of the city skyline, the Schuylkill River, public art installations, and of course, numerous different sections of the 50-acre Bartram’s Garden itself, which boasts several trees planted by famous botanist John Bartram more than two centuries ago.

    Did we leave your favorite trail off the list? Got the inside scoop on another great location for a bike ride in the Philly area? Share your thoughts on our top choices in the comments, and send this article to friends who’d want to check out these trails with you.

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