Forbidden Drive

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is a wide, pretty well maintained road. It is gravel, but generally smooth and flat. Heading south is a very gentle downhill. If you head north (start in Old Rittenhouse Town), it's a very, very mild uphill the whole way.

Many of the local college and high school track and field teams run along this path. Be prepared to get passed!

Starting at parking lot .5 miles past Old Rittenhouse Town head north up the wide, fairly well maintained path. This 5.5 mile trail follows Wissahickon Creek and ends at the intersection of Andorra Road and North Northwestern Road.

Along the way you'll pass lush fauna, lots of chances to explore trails that spring off of Forbidden Drive, as well as other cool attractions:

• At approximately mile 2, look across the creek at the very cool Fingerspan Bridge.
• At approximately mile 2.75, you can get lunch or a snack at the Valley Green Inn.
• At approximately mile 3.5, look across the creek and see the statue of the last Lenni-Lenapi Chief.
• At approximately mile 4.5 is the Red Covered bridge.

There are a ton of options getting back if you want a change of scenery; both the Yellow Trail and Orange Trail connect back, though they are quite a bit longer and not nearly as easy.

This really is a beautiful area in the city of Philadelphia.

Locals, dogs, cats, and deer. General wildflowers. The whole path follows along the Wissahickon Creek.