The Best Leaf-Peeping Hikes Near Philadelphia

Trek through vibrant leaves and take in the crisp fall air.

It ’s meter to line up your favorite flannel , lace up your hiking boots , and take to the trail . Autumn has arrived in Philadelphia , which think good deal of festival , wads of football , and , when you ’re stock of those things , getting out of the city to soak in thechanging leaves .

Whether you want to get aside for an afternoon or spend the whole weekend tenting , the city is just a short crusade from plenty ofgorgeous townsand account - plenteous tramp trails that can avail you make the most out of leaf - peeping time of year . So tick out 10 of the effective Philly - area name and address for hike amid the fall foliation .

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum

You do n’t have to go far at all to discover 10 mile of trail , watercourse , and wildlife at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum . Just off I-95 by Philadelphia International Airport is this urban asylum featuring tiro - friendly mat track , marshes , and even some remote views of the Philly skyline . Trails are run along with the vary tree , the perfect background for spotting some of the taciturnity ’s wildlife , include the bald bird of Jove and nifty blue heron . Distance from Center City:20 minutes

Wissahickon Valley Park

This leafy haven is a Philly favorite , home to more than 2,000 demesne throughout Northwest Philadelphia . There are dozens of trails available for various difficultness and skill levels , most notably the wide crushed rock - and - asphalt paseo of Forbidden Drive ( 7 mile ) that ’s canopied by tree . For something a little more hilly , assay the Lavender Trail ( about 1.5 statute mile ) and keep your eyes out for the oak tree trees and bird of Minerva along the way . The body politic itself has a very storied history , once home to the Lenape people and then innkeeper to Revolutionary War skirmishes . You ’ll find dozens of historical mark along the elbow room , and maybe even some spectre stories — which are always more exciting this time of class . Distance from Center City:30 minutes

Haverford College Nature Trail

Get a taste of idyllic collegiate life story with the Haverford College Nature Trail , just a few miles outdoors of the urban center and accessible by train . Situated around the perimeter of the college , the 2.2 - international mile trail features paved walkways as well as natural passages of mostly easy , mat land with a few moments of slope . While it ’s gorgeous any time of year , it ’s particularly capture to see the campus in the fall , with leaf put against the architecture . Do n’t forget to block at the duck’s egg pond , sport an sure-enough school ice - skate shack from 1941.Distance from Center City:35 second

Valley Forge National Historical Park

Historically , Valley Forge is best cognize for its Revolutionary War encampment , let in Washington ’s Headquarters , where the first US president hold up from 1777 to 1778 . Today you could still soak in the account example and see the original dwellings , and there ’s even more natural phenomenon to discover on the ground among Valley Forge ’s nearly 20 miles of designate hiking trails . Try the Mount Misery Trail for a moderate challenge that stretches about a mile and will have you enclose in changing leaves , all extend to wizard footbridge over a ravine . aloofness from Center City:35 minutes

Tyler Arboretum

tramper and nonhikers likewise can find a band to love at Tyler Arboretum . In addition to trails throughout its more than 500 acres , the arboretum is known for pictorial wildflower , birding , wildlife , Painter trees , and a 160 - year story . The Tyler Arboretum Loop clocks in at 5.4 miles , starting and ending in the chief parking field . Along the way you ’ll add up across theThoreau ’s “ Walden ” Cabin Replica , just in pillow slip you want to get extra in tune with nature . In the gloam , you ’ll find the gorgeous orange tree chromaticity of maidenhair tree trees , as well as dogwoods and maples , while the arboretum ’s meadow grasses , asters , and goldenrod are another seasonal highlighting . length from Center City:40 minute

Ridley Creek State Park

This Delco destination is all about trilled Hill , wooded trails , and a really immersive experience when it comes to devolve leafage . The park offers 13 trails along 2,600 acres and is peppered with historical landmark — the park even registered as a National Historic Landmark . As you digress around you may stumble across the Hunting Hill Mansion , a 1915 plus to an original stone farmhouse circa 1789 , and Sycamore Mills , a pulverization village see back to the 18th Century . The Sycamore Mills Road Trail , at about 4.3 miles , is an approachable loop trail that highlights some of the park ’s good views . aloofness from Center City:45 minutes

Washington Crossing State Park

In chronicle class you may remember learn about George Washington crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night , 1776 . Today you’re able to shoot the breeze that internet site — aptly title Washington Crossing — and sop in the autumnal ambiance straddling the NJ - PA state line . This slice of the 70 - mile Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park sit down by the cute river town of New Hope , Pennsylvania and Lambertville , New Jersey , and feature 13 mile of moderate tramp lead . Try the 2.7 - mile Blue Dot Trail , the longest track in the park , where you ’ll spot the Open Air Theater , a flow , and plenty of red-faced cedar . space from Center City:45 minute

Tyler State Park

Travel to this Bucks County commons that features Neshaminy Creek throughout , attractively divide the 1,711 - Akko finish into unlike sections . Another big haulage unique to Bucks County ? encompass bridges . Tyler State Park features one of them , Schofield Covered Bridge , which feels even more quaint and intimate in the changing colors of fall . examine the Covered Bridge Trail for an easy 1.1 - mile option that includes some steep mount , cease with a hilltop view . you could also go for the more difficult Hay Barn Grass Trail , clocking in at 4.5 miles and feature the parkland ’s original farmhouses and barns . aloofness from Center City:50 minutes

Worthington State Forest

While this Insta - suitable forest has more than 20 miles of trails to fall upon , the Mt. Tammany trail is a must , offer arresting opinion of the Delaware Water Gap . Joined with the Pahaquarry Trail , it make for one of the most unmanageable hikes of the Delaware Water Gap , time in at a three - mile loop . Those well - earned views are even better frame with the change colour of fall . If you want to make your sojourn a fiddling longer , there ’s plenty of on - site camping options along two miles of river frontal . Distance from Center City:2 60 minutes

Leonard Harrison State Park

If you ’re ready to invest to a lawful autumn digression , make the journey up to Pine Creek Gorge , known as “ Pennsylvania ’s Grand Canyon . ” There you ’ll recover the 585 - acre Leonard Harrison Park at its most beautiful time of year . The one - mile Turkey Trail Path leads you to the bottom of the gorge , featuring vivacious hardwood tree diagram hue . If you ’re in the climate for a little education after your hiking , travel to the heart and soul at the Leonard Harrison primary overlook to read more about the area ’s wildlife , lumber heritage , canon formation , or even arrange a mathematical group tour . Distance from Center City:4.5 hours