October has welcomed us with beautiful weather, and the best way to take advantage of it is to get outside. Luckily, Philadelphia has a number of scenic locations and trails that make getting outside extremely easy. Take a look at the list below to find the best running and biking trails around Philadelphia!

6 best running & Bike trails in Philadelphia

1. Schuylkill River Trail: Kelly Drive Loop and Schuylkill banks and Boardwalk

130 miles of the Schuylkill River Trail runs through a large part of Southeastern Pennsylvania, passing through locations including Philadelphia, Phoenixville, Reading, and Pottsville giving bikers, hikers, and runners plenty of space to explore.

Because of the Schuylkill River Trail’s considerable length, it has been divided into 6 sections. The Philadelphia trail section is about 10 miles long from the Schuylkill Banks, to East Falls, to Ridge Ave, to Manayunk’s main street and canal towpath.

Local favorites include Boat House Row on Kelly Drive, and the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk, 2,000 feet extending the Schuylkill River Trail from Locust Street to South Street with unforgettable views of Philly.

2. Benjamin Franklin Bridge

Since 1926, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge is a staple landmark in Philadelphia, leading travelers over the Delaware River into Camden, New Jersey and back. However, there is nothing like crossing the Ben Franklin on foot or by bike! With the bridge length just under 3 miles, the paved and guardian path available from dawn to dusk is perfect for a good bike ride or jog with the added bonus of great Instagram pictures of the city, the water, and the bridge.

3. Fairmount Park – Boxer’s Trail

Located in Fairmount Park between the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood and the Schuylkill River, the Boxer’s Trail was one that Philadelphia’s own Joe Frazier trained on. This trail started out as a thin, unpaved dirt path but, was recently restoration by the Fairmount Park and the Fairmount Park Conservancy as a broad and spacious path. Don’t miss the trail’s annual 5k in September.

4. The Navy Yard

Did you know that Philadelphia is the birthplace of the US Navy, dating back to when the country was founded in 1776? The first navy shipyard was in Southwark, Philadelphia active for most of the 1800s, but eventually closed and consolidated with the second shipyard on Broad Street known as the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard around the turn of the century. The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard stayed open and active for 120 years and closed its doors in 1996. A few years after the naval base closed, the city of Philadelphia partnered with Philadelphia development groups to re-develop the shipyard.

A few years and a few million dollars later, the Navy Yard is now a 1,200-acre campus home to about 150 companies and businesses. But what many people do not know is that The Navy Yard has a paved path that runs along the Delaware River at the back of the campus where you will often find runners, bikers, walkers, fishers. The trail itself is just under 1 mile (about two miles there and back), but if you are looking for a more extended exercise sesh, you can just run/bike around the campus, keeping your eyes occupied with revamped naval buildings and modern landscape.

5. Wissahickon Valley Park

Wissahickon Valley Park is one of the biggest parks in the country with over 2,000 acres of land and over 50 miles of trails for runners, hikers, bikers, and equestrians. There are four main trails including the popular 5-mile Forbidden Drive along Wissahickon Creek, Orange Trail, White Trail, Yellow Trail is the longest trail at almost 8 miles.

If you are looking to do some hiking or mountain biking, you should try the Orange, White, and/or Yellow trails made up of dirt and rock and have a variety of different terrain. Some sections of these trails have steep sections and/or require climbing, so check the Friends of the Wissahickon website or ask one of the park workers to find the best path that suits you.

6. Penn Park

Penn Park is located between the University of Pennsylvania’s campus and the Schuylkill River Waterfront from Walnut to South Streets. Although it’s owned and operated by Penn, the park is open to the public with athletic fields, open lawn areas, and pedestrian paths from 6am to midnight. The four paved running paths weave around the playing fields to create track-like routes, allowing visitors to make their run/bike ride as long or short as they want.

Readers, tell us: where’s your fav place to run/bike in Philly?

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Lindsey Czajkowski works as a Design Coordinator at the Free People home office. Her interest in fashion influenced her move to Philadelphia, but the delicious food scene, diversity, and opportunity within Philly is what made Lindsey immerse herself in the city. You’re likely to find Lindsey at work in the Navy Yard in South Philly, out to eat around Northern Liberties, or shopping in Center City or in a park trying to pet a strangers dog. View all posts by Lindsey Czajkowski