Welcome to our third random calendar day of December.
Did you know that December 11 is International Mountain Day? Celebrate Mountain Day by climbing the highest trails of the Wissahickon Valley Park, which happen to be the highest trails in Philadelphia. You may not consider these mountains, but in Philadelphia it’s the closest thing we have to it! Check out these two round trip hikes that take you to the highest elevations, while staying on trails, in the Wissahickon.
Trail option one begins on the Chestnut Hill side of the park. Did you know the highest point in Philadelphia is in Chestnut Hill west of the intersection of Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike on Chestnut Hill Avenue (an elevation of 436’). From the Chestnut Hill Avenue trail entrance, (an elevation of 407’) take the White trail to the covered bridge and Forbidden Drive.
On your return trip, take the Orange Trail to the Lavender Trail, following the lovely tributary flowing into the Wissahickon Creek. Veer right to the white trail and back to the entrance. Total hike is 1.7 miles, an elevation gain of 212 feet, and will take an hour or less at a leisurely pace.
Trail option two is on the Roxborough side. You can begin at Valley Green Inn and hike up the hill to the Yellow Trail to the Wigard Avenue entrance. Near there you will reach an elevation of 394 feet. Watch out for mountain bikers on this hike!
Once you return to Valley Green Inn, check out the snack bar which is open on weekends 11-3. A hot chocolate would be nice on a cold day. This hike is 1.6 miles, and a climb of about 190’. I used the Friends of the Wissahickon Map app for my I-Phone, and it worked great! It’s a free download and even though I had a paper map with me for a backup, I didn’t need it. Check it out, and check out the Wissahickon on this Mountain Day, or any other day.
Happy hiking, and Happy mountain Day!
