Andorra Natural Area

Andorra Natural Area
Type	Nature preserve / Environmental education
Location	Roxborough / Wissahickon Valley
Coordinates	40.0680,-75.2350
Area	210 acres
Established	Part of Fairmount Park system
Operated by	Philadelphia Parks & Recreation / Wissahickon Environmental Center
Features	Nature trails, Wissahickon Environmental Center, meadows, wildlife
Hours	Trails: dawn to dusk; Center: check hours
Transit	SEPTA bus 9; drive recommended
Website	Official Site

Andorra Natural Area is a 210-acre nature preserve in the northern reaches of Wissahickon Valley Park, featuring the Wissahickon Environmental Center and some of the wildest terrain in Philadelphia's park system. The area offers extensive trail networks, environmental education programs, and a glimpse of what the Philadelphia region looked like before European settlement.

Andorra represents the most remote and naturalistic section of Philadelphia's park system.

History

Pre-European Landscape

The area preserves elements of:

• Original forest communities
• Native plant species
• Pre-settlement ecology
• Natural landscape features

Preservation

Andorra was protected as part of:

• Fairmount Park expansion
• Wissahickon Valley preservation
• Watershed protection
• Conservation movement

Environmental Center

The Wissahickon Environmental Center was established to:

• Provide environmental education
• Serve as program base
• Support conservation
• Connect people with nature

Features

Wissahickon Environmental Center

Educational facility:

• Environmental education programs
• School field trips
• Summer camps
• Public programs
• Nature exhibits

Trail Network

Extensive hiking trails:

• Multiple loop options
• Varying difficulty levels
• Natural surface trails
• Connection to greater Wissahickon system
• Over 5 miles of trails

Houston Meadow

Restored meadow habitat:

• Native grassland
• Wildflowers
• Butterfly and pollinator habitat
• Bird watching
• Scenic views

Forest Habitats

• Mature deciduous forest
• Riparian areas
• Native understory
• Wildlife habitat

Wildlife

Common sightings:

• White-tailed deer
• Red and gray foxes
• Hawks and owls
• Songbirds
• Reptiles and amphibians

Using Andorra

Hiking

• Multiple trail options
• Loop hikes possible
• Varying distances
• Natural surface (can be muddy)
• Dog-friendly (leash required)

Nature Programs

Wissahickon Environmental Center offers:

• Guided nature walks
• Bird watching programs
• Plant identification
• Family programs
• Youth camps

School Programs

• Field trips
• Environmental curriculum
• Outdoor classroom
• Hands-on learning

Visiting

Hours

Trails:

• Dawn to dusk

Environmental Center:

• Varies—check website
• Program schedule online

Getting There

Location: Northwestern Avenue, Roxborough (at Wissahickon border)

By Public Transit:

• SEPTA Bus 9 to Northwestern Avenue
• Long walk from any station

By Car:

• Parking at Environmental Center
• Enter from Northwestern Avenue

Tips

• Trails can be muddy—wear boots
• Bring insect repellent in summer
• Check center hours before visiting
• Download trail map from Friends of the Wissahickon
• The area is more remote than main Wissahickon—come prepared

Conservation

Habitat Restoration

Ongoing work includes:

• Invasive species removal
• Native plant restoration
• Meadow management
• Stream restoration

Friends of the Wissahickon

FOW supports Andorra through:

• Trail maintenance
• Habitat restoration
• Volunteer workdays
• Advocacy

Nearby

• Wissahickon Valley Park — Connected park
• Forbidden Drive — Main trail system
• Roxborough — Surrounding neighborhood
• Chestnut Hill — Nearby
• Valley Green — Along Forbidden Drive

See Also

• Wissahickon Valley Park
• Forbidden Drive
• Carpenter's Woods
• Fairmount Park

External Links

• Wissahickon Environmental Center
• Friends of the Wissahickon