Gear up to explore the marvels of Philadelphia’s outdoors! Philadelphia’s prime location makes the outdoors extremely diverse and beautiful. It is close to the Appalachian Mountains, Jersey Shore and located on a gorgeous river. Philly is no stranger to natural wonders! Enjoy your sunny summer days, or visit during fall to witness gorgeous fall foliage, no matter which time of year, the outdoors are beautiful all year. Set out on an adventure and discover hiking trails, kayaking hotspots and championship golf courses!
Things to do Outdoors in Philadelphia
Explore all the outdoor things to do in Philadelphia, indulge in activities with your friends and family and reconnect with nature. Explore the beautiful hiking trails, splash around in a kayak or enjoy breathtaking views while playing a game of golf.
Hiking Around Philadelphia: Best Trails and Spots
If you are someone that loves a good hike, these hiking trails in Philly are meant for you. Marvel at panoramic views and maybe even catch a waterfall or two!
Wissahickon Valley Park
Wissahickon Valley Park is home to some of the best hiking trails in Philadelphia. The park is full of lush greenery, forests and a lovely meadow that leads to the glistening waters of the Wissahickon Creek. Walk, bike or even ride horses through one of Philly’s most beautiful parks.
Wissahickon Hiking Trails:
1. Wissahickon Orange Trail
The Wissahickon Orange trail is one of the most popular trails for hiking, running and walking. You will encounter fellow hikers during your walk. You will also come across lovely springs and streams, the entire trail is surrounded by trees and greenery. The trail is known for having a few scenic spots, and some really cool features like the Fingerspan Bridge, which is a gorgeous open-gate bridge.
| Length | 4.5 Miles |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate |
| Route Type | Loop |
| Beginner Friendly | Yes |
2. Wissahickon Yellow Trail Loop
The Yellow Trail is one of the best Wissahickon trails. It is located near Lafayette Hill which makes it a moderately challenging route, it takes around 2 hours to complete. It is an amazing, scenic trail which follows the quiet mystical woods, the creek and falls provide for a mesmerizing backdrop as you make your way through the trail. The Yellow trail also happens to be one of the best bike traiIs Philadelphia has to offer, you will encounter many mountain bikers as well. I will admit the elevation makes this trail slightly challenging, but finishing it successfully made my day.
| Length | 6.7 Miles |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate |
| Route Type | Loop |
| Beginner Friendly | Challenging |
Schuylkill Trail, Philadelphia
The Schuylkill River trail is beautiful, the majority of the trail is built over abandoned railroad lines. It continues to follow the historically rich region of Pennsylvania passing through rural, agricultural and industrial landscapes. You will see centuries of industrial development and canal navigations along the path which is covered in limestone and iron ore.
The whole trail falls under the gentle category.
| Length | 24.7 Miles |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Route Type | Point to point |
| Beginner Friendly | Yes |
Pennypack Trail
The Pennypack trail is one of the best walking trails in Philadelphia. It is a great trail with something for everyone. There are long, flat and sunny straight-aways. Some areas are nicely shaded and a few rough trails as well. The trail is beautiful, covered with greenery on all sides and even more scenic during the rainy season!
| Length | 15.7 Miles |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate |
| Route Type | Point to point |
| Beginner Friendly | Yes |
Fun Outdoor Activities in Philadelphia: Kayaking
Kayaking is an amazing way to have fun in the water! Explore the magnificent Schuylkill River on a kayak and brown through beautiful blue waters. You will find plenty of guided kayaking tours and rentals all over the region. Here are the best Kayaking spots in Philly:
Valley of Summit
The Schuylkill River is an excellent option for kayaking, whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned Kayaker. Enjoy the tranquil and glistening blue waters, abundance of wildlife and lavish greenery. Valley of Summit, a local kayaking rental agency offers kayak rentals from 3 hours up to 6 hours. It is one of the best kayak rental Philadelphia has to offer. Rentals are a great way to enjoy kayaking for those who are looking to explore on their own. However, if you haven’t been kayaking before I would recommend a guided tour as you need to be aware of tide and current changes and wildlife encounters as well. Kayaking Philadelphia is a wonderful experience and I personally enjoyed it the most!
| Location | 1528 E Montgomery Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125 |
| Timings | Monday – Friday
9AM – 7PM Saturday 10AM – 6:30PM |
| Pricing | 4 hours: $55 |
| Reservation/Booking | Book your Kayaking Trip on the Valley of Summit Website |
Bartram’s Garden
Bartram’s Garden offers free boating, kayaking in the Schuylkill River. That’s right you can enjoy a kayaking trip on the beautiful waters of the Schuylkill free of charge! Their public dock also includes spaces for fishing. The free public boating programs are perfect for people of all ages and skill levels, and even better if you’re on a budget! They also provide all the equipment and instructions required for kayaking.
| Location | 5400 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19143 |
| Timings | Free Boating:
Saturdays 10AM – 2PM |
| Pricing | Free |
| Reservation/Booking | Not Required |
Hit a Flyer: Golfing in Philadelphia
Fun fact, Philadelphia has a distinguished golf history, in fact it is home to some of the best private clubs in America! Philly has both modern golf courses and golf courses with a rich history. Play a round in the city where it all began!
Melrose Country Club
The Melrose Country Club is a huge property that includes a full 18-hole golf course, a driving range and an indoor and outdoor bar. Experience luxury and extravagance while enjoying a round of golf on the beautiful golf course. The Melrose is strict on dress code, so make sure you are dressed in a collared golf shirt and avoid blue jeans. They also have a pro shop which offers a variety of golf attire, bags, balls and anything else you need on the course.
| Location | 7600 Tookany Creek Pkwy, Cheltenham, PA 19012 |
| Hours | Sunday – Monday
7AM – 5PM |
| Pricing | Monday – Thursday
9am-1pm: $49 / 2pm-6pm: $41 Walking: $28 9 Hole Rate: $30 FRIDAY 9am-1pm: $62 / 2pm-6pm: $52 9 Hole Rate: $37 Saturday-Sunday 9am-1pm: $65 / 2pm-6pm: $55 9 Hole Rate: $37 |
Golden Pheasant Golf Club
The Golden Pheasant Golf Club is a great golf club with a significant history, it was first opened in 1963. The course features holes of different levels. The layout of the course is rather unique, it cuts through the picturesque woods right next to it. They also have a challenging mix of fairways, greens and bunkers.
A round of golf during the sunset on this beautiful course is something you should not miss, the panoramic views are unforgettable!
| Location | 141 Country Club Dr, Lumberton 08048 |
| Hours | Saturday – Monday
7:30AM – 6:30PM Tuesday – Friday 8AM – 8PM |
| Pricing | Monday – Friday
9 Holes Riding: $50 Triple Play: $38 18 Holes Riding: $76 |
Winding Up
Reading about outdoor adventures in Philly is not good enough, you need to go out there and experience it! Philadelphia’s outdoors are simply mesmerizing and you must take full advantage of it by exploring and trying new adventures.
Hiking in Philadelphia is an experience you won’t forget, the scenic routes and lush greenery is bound to blow your mind, and bonus point hiking is great for your health!
Looking for a place to stay? Check out HolidayKeepers and their splendid vacation homes in Philadelphia. The properties are beautiful and equipped with the best amenities.
Get in touch with HolidayKeepers and book your stay now.
