This Fall, you can expect temperatures to remain unseasonably high through September and early October, which is all the more reason to head for the hills! We mean Pennsylvania’s cool, shady, hiking hills ablaze with autumn foliage color. Various trails for every hiker, from beginner to advanced, are available from within the City limits to the Poconos.

For fabulous Fall color forget about New England. Just head to Forbidden Drive in the Wissahickon, the northwestern extension of Fairmont Park. This visually stunning area dates back to William Penn who bought the land from the Lenape.  

Hike on challenging trails that take you high into the hilltops where you’ll find a statue of a kneeling Native American. Or stick to the flat 7-mile trail for walkers, runners, bikes, and horses. In all, there are six trails with grades from 3% to 11%. Whichever you choose, keep your eyes on the meandering Wissahickon Creek with its ducks, geese, waterfalls, and historic covered bridge. Yes, you can bring your dog and let him frolic in the shallow water.

Wissahickon Valley Park is a recognized National Natural Landmark, and the Wissahickon Gorge, located within the park, is a designated “Important Birding Area” by the National Audubon Society. Download the map on your phone!

When you build up an appetite, you’ll find a wide choice of homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, pastries, and La Colombe coffee at  The Cedars House, a family-run, self-service cafe located near the Northwestern Ave. start of the trail. There, you can dine at tables scattered around the garden. If you crave a more upscale dining experience with white linen table service, the historic Valley Green Inn, built in 1850, offers brunch and an all-day menu featuring Black Angus Burgers and Crab Cake Sandwiches. There is free parking along Northwestern Avenue, Bell’s Mill Rd, Valley Green Road, and Rittenhouse Town.

Just a 45-minute drive outside Philly, Valley Forge State Park offers 19.5 miles of hiking trails – all with incredible views and steeped in history. Want to test your stamina? Follow the Schuylkill River Trail from the City for about 30 miles to Valley Forge Park! Or drive to Valley Forge and take the Joseph Plumb Martin Trail, a 5-mile loop that connects some of the Park’s historic monuments. You can also try the connecting 2.5-mile Mount Joy Trail. Mount Misery offers four miles of trails from the easy 1.3-mile Valley Creek Trail to the 140 Horseshoe Trail. 

Just 16 miles outside Philly, Ridley Creek State Park has four trails of various difficulty and includes a Colonial working farm, an English country manor, and a historic 18th-century mill village. Download a park map and bring Fido!

The aptly named High Rocks Vista located within Ralph Stover Park in Pipersville, PA is for serious hikers and rock climbers seeking a challenge. Bring your gear to mount 200-foot cliffs above Tohickon Creek. However, the 3.7-mile loop is only considered moderately challenging for those who prefer to stay grounded. The easiest hiking is on a 1.6-mile trail. A small parking lot is located on Tory Rd and grants access to several hiking trails. For more information visit the Ralph Stover Park Guide.

Mount Minsi on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware Water Gap in Bucks County offers a 5-mile hike with lots of rocks, rivers, and a majestic canopy of trees, plus cascades, a lovely waterfall, and Lake Lenape. When you reach the top, you’ll see panoramic views of New Jersey. The trail is considered moderately challenging. On your way home, stop in New Hope and enjoy a walk through its quaint downtown area, or cross over the bridge and dine at Lambertville’s eateries, many with river views.

The Lehigh Gorge Trail in the Poconos offers 33 miles of scenic hiking trails with different levels of difficulty. Choose from the easy 8-mile Vista Trail or Lehigh Gorge Trail to the difficult Bald Mountain Loop Trail.  Your reward? This hike takes you to Jim Thorpe, PA, the “Switzerland of America”. It’s one of the most charming little towns in the state, with fine dining, bars, and a vintage train. Visit on a weekend in early October for their Fall Festival at the height of fall foliage.  Download the Lehigh Gorge State Park Map App.

Are you a birder? Head to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, an incredible bird-watching site. Choose from four trails from just half a mile to 4.5 miles, but for the best view take the popular Lookout Trail. Start at the Visitor Center. All trails are rocky, except the Silhouette Trail. Sorry, no dogs are allowed. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 children.

Visiting these State Parks present opportunities to protect the environment and highlight the importance of preserving these precious green spaces. If you enjoy visiting, consider ways of donating to help maintain our beautiful Pennsylvania State Parks.