National Geographic names Philadelphia one of best hiking cities

National Geographic online lists Philadelphia as one the 15 Best U.S. Hiking Cities. It cites the Wissahickon Valley as the best part of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park system.


“The cherry on top of the 9,200-acre network of green is the Wissahickon, a beloved overgrown gorge that plunges deep beneath the clamor of the city “

This is not an in-depth report on each area. It features just one photo, a quick description of the area and quote from somebody who loves hiking there.

Quick tip: To see the other “Top 15” spots click the photo and it will load a new page.

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The Friends of the Wissahickon website explains how and why this area was protected.

“Fairmount Park acquired the 1,800 acres of the Wissahickon Valley in 1868 in order to preserve the purity of the City’s water supply. Mills and taverns were demolished leaving scant historic evidence in the form of dams and foundations. The wide Wissahickon Turnpike paralleling the creek was closed to vehicular traffic in 1920 and became Forbidden Drive.”

Obviously, with any of these “Best of” lists some deserving places get left off. I’m curious what areas you would want to see on that list.

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