With the month of November already here and the stress of school getting higher, it is so important to make time for fun activities and not just school work. The weather of this fall season is perfect for spending time outside without overheating, so finding local trails are a great way to get outside with your friends. These walking trails have a little bit of everything, from colorful foliage, to city skyline views. These are great places to walk with a cup of coffee, picnic with friends, or exercise with a run or bike ride. Most importantly, people walk their dogs on every one of these trails, so there are plenty of puppies to pet.
Kelly Drive Path
The Kelly Drive Path goes along the Schuylkill River, and is always filled with people. If you love to people watch or exercise, this is the place for you. There are bikers, runners, and dog walkers. The trail is an 8 mile loop, located 3 miles from SJU. It is also an easy drive if you have a car, since it holds numerous parking locations. The path starts at the Art Museum, crosses the Falls Bridge, and loops back around on the opposite side of the river. This spot has some of the most beautiful views of the city skyline, especially during sunrise or sunset, so be sure to check it out!
Manayunk Towpath
For those who live in Manayunk, I’m sure this is no surprise to you, but for the underclassmen who haven’t explored the area around SJU, the Manayunk Towpath is a great place to start. It runs along the heart of Manayunk along the canal and Main Street. If you enjoy wildlife be sure to keep an eye out for turtles, fish, and other creatures in the canal. The Path also includes different artistic Murals throughout, produced by the Mural Arts of Philadelphia group. It is a pretty short distance overall, but this makes it a perfect place to take a nice stroll with a coffee, or if you are looking to exercise, it connects to the Schuylkill River Trail that goes all the way past Valley Forge Park.
Cynwyd Trail
The Cynwyd Trail connects Lower Merion to Manayunk over the Schuylkill River. It’s great if you don’t mind a longer walk and aren’t in the mood to hunt for street parking in Manayunk or pay for a spot in a lot. It connects to the walking bridge, which has great scenic and city views. The view from the Manayunk Bridge is one of my personal favorites. This trail also has a cute coffee shop at the beginning of the trail called, “Trails End cafe” if you are looking for a snack or refreshments after your walk!
Haverford College Nature Trail
Haverford College Nature Trail is the furthest trail at SJU at 4 miles, but it has the most scenic views of them all. There are gorgeous orange, red, and yellow leaves at this time of the year that cover the path and trees that arch over and block the sky in some places. Right across the street is the “Green Engine Cafe“, which is an awesome coffee shop we reviewed in a previous post. If you’re looking to go off the beaten path, this is definitely the trail for you.
