Editing Wissahickon Valley Park

{{Infobox Park
| name = Wissahickon Valley Park
| type = Urban wilderness park
| location = Northwest Philadelphia
| area = 1,800 acres
| established = 1868
| operated_by = Philadelphia Parks & Recreation / Friends of the Wissahickon
| features = Forbidden Drive, hiking trails, Valley Green Inn, historic bridges
| website = https://fow.org
}}

'''Wissahickon Valley Park''' is a 1,800-acre urban wilderness stretching seven miles along '''Wissahickon Creek''' in Northwest [[Philadelphia]]. Often called Philadelphia's "hidden gem," the park preserves a dramatic forested gorge with rocky cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and dense woodland.

The park is part of the larger [[Fairmount Park]] system but maintains its own distinct character as one of the most ecologically significant natural areas within any American city.

== History ==

The Lenape people called the creek "Wisamickan," meaning "catfish creek." By the early 19th century, over 50 mills operated along the creek. In 1868, the city began acquiring land to protect the valley from development.

== Forbidden Drive ==

'''Forbidden Drive''' is the park's main thoroughfare—a '''5.5-mile gravel road''' running along the creek. The name comes from an 1869 ordinance that "forbade" commercial traffic.

* '''Surface:''' Packed gravel
* '''Distance:''' 5.5 miles one-way
* '''Open to:''' Pedestrians, cyclists, horses (no motor vehicles)

=== Highlights ===

* '''Valley Green Inn''' — Historic restaurant
* '''Devil's Pool''' — Popular swimming hole
* '''Thomas Mill Covered Bridge'''
* '''Historic stone structures'''

== Trails ==

Over '''50 miles of hiking trails''':

{| class="wikitable"
! Trail !! Distance !! Difficulty
|-
| Forbidden Drive || 5.5 mi || Easy
|-
| Orange Trail || 5.2 mi || Moderate
|-
| Yellow Trail || 3.8 mi || Moderate-Hard
|-
| White Trail || 2.5 mi || Easy-Moderate
|}

== Valley Green Inn ==

Historic restaurant established in the 1850s with creek-side dining.

== Natural Features ==

The valley cuts through '''Wissahickon schist''', distinctive silver-gray rock approximately 500 million years old.

'''Wildlife:'''
* Over 150 bird species
* White-tailed deer, foxes, raccoons
* Trout and native fish

== Activities ==

* Hiking (50+ miles of trails)
* Mountain Biking
* Horseback Riding
* Fishing (PA license required)
* Rock Climbing
* Bird Watching

== Getting There ==

* '''Valley Green Road''' — Parking at Valley Green Inn
* '''Northwestern Avenue''' — Southern trailhead
* '''Bells Mill Road''' — Northern trailhead
* '''SEPTA Regional Rail''' — Wissahickon Station

== See Also ==

* [[Fairmount Park]]
* [[Chestnut Hill]]
* [[Manayunk]]

{{#seo:
|title=Wissahickon Valley Park Philadelphia - Trails, Forbidden Drive & Hiking Guide
|description=Guide to Wissahickon Valley Park, Philadelphia's 1,800-acre urban wilderness. Forbidden Drive trail, Valley Green Inn, hiking maps, and nature in Northwest Philadelphia.
|keywords=Wissahickon Valley Park, Forbidden Drive Philadelphia, Wissahickon trails, Valley Green Inn, Philadelphia hiking, Wissahickon Creek, Devil's Pool
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:Parks]]
[[Category:Northwest Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Hiking]]