One of the largest urban green spaces in the country, Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park consists of more than 9200 acres of trails, woodlands and wetlands. The park is divided by the Schuylkill River into east and west sections. There are many options for runs here, so it’s not easy to plot one particular route. A few good options:
East Fairmount Park: Run along the Schuylkill River Trail, which passes through the park on the west side of Kelly Drive. You can mix that with the Boxer’s Trail, which passes by the Dairy Fields. It’s just east of Kelly Drive, starting at the Ulysses S. Grant Statue. Combine that with a loop around the East Park Reservoir.
West Fairmount Park. A multi-use trail runs along MLK Dr. Another nice section is in the area around the Arboretum. Run the trail along the Avenue of the Republic, the short loop around Concourse Lake, and then the myriad paths around the Arboretum.
Also in West Fairmount are trails in the Belmont Plateau and the famous Cross Country Race Course (also known as the Trolley Trail). There are marked loops of various lengths, including a 5k. NEW: Better wayfinding signage & 400 new trees and shrubs planted.
Loop Option: Run the Kelly Drive Path. Start near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and head north through East Fairmount Park along the river. If Kelly Drive is too busy for you, use the adjacent dirt Boxer Trail. For a loop, cross one of the bridges and run back through West Fairmount Park. Crossings are at Girard (1.2 miles), Strawberry Mansion (3 miles), or Falls Bridge (4.25 miles).
Special note: A gorgeous cherry blossom running spot, with hundreds of Yoshino Cherry trees planted in West Fairmount Park and along the Schuylkill River.
One of the largest urban green spaces in the country, Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park consists of more than 9200 acres of trails, woodlands and wetlands. The park is divided by the Schuylkill River into east and west sections. There are many options for runs here, so it’s not easy to plot one particular route. A few good options:
East Fairmount Park: Run along the Schuylkill River Trail, which passes through the park on the west side of Kelly Drive. You can mix that with the Boxer’s Trail, which passes by the Dairy Fields. It’s just east of Kelly Drive, starting at the Ulysses S. Grant Statue. Combine that with a loop around the East Park Reservoir.
West Fairmount Park. A multi-use trail runs along MLK Dr. Another nice section is in the area around the Arboretum. Run the trail along the Avenue of the Republic, the short loop around Concourse Lake, and then the myriad paths around the Arboretum.
Also in West Fairmount are trails in the Belmont Plateau and the famous Cross Country Race Course (also known as the Trolley Trail). There are marked loops of various lengths, including a 5k. NEW: Better wayfinding signage & 400 new trees and shrubs planted.
Loop Option: Run the Kelly Drive Path. Start near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and head north through East Fairmount Park along the river. If Kelly Drive is too busy for you, use the adjacent dirt Boxer Trail. For a loop, cross one of the bridges and run back through West Fairmount Park. Crossings are at Girard (1.2 miles), Strawberry Mansion (3 miles), or Falls Bridge (4.25 miles).
Special note: A gorgeous cherry blossom running spot, with hundreds of Yoshino Cherry trees planted in West Fairmount Park and along the Schuylkill River.
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!