r/phillyrunning • u/Appropriate-Clue-512 • 20d ago

Looking for Soft Surfaces

I just moved to South Philly and I’m wondering where runners go for some unpaved runs. I know about the Wissahickon trails, and I’ve run at FDR a few times. Are there any spots I’m missing where a guy with bad knees can run?

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

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6

u/a-german-muffin 20d ago

There’s a network of trails off Belmont Plateau — the XC course itself (which is a mix of grass, dirt and gravel), the Trolley Trail (which has a bunch of individual segments/extensions you can do) and the Crossbow behind the Mann.

There’s also a handful of trails way out in West Philly in Haddington Woods and Morris Park, Boxers Trail on the east side of Fairmount Park, Pennypack in the Northeast, and Heinz way down by the airport (although that has some paved trails in addition to dirt/gravel).

And they’re sort of an extension of the Wiss, but Carpenter’s Woods and the Cresheim trails are up in West Mount Airy/Chestnut Hill.

5

u/Harryhood_420 20d ago

I’m a fan of Valley Forge

3

u/abkap 20d ago

Heinz wildlife refuge!

3

u/sugarfreefun 19d ago

Woodlands cemetery, John Heinz, Wissahickon, trolley trails

1

u/gigabird 19d ago

Parts of the SRT in center city basically have a dirt single track alongside the paved path that's been created from people needing a wider path-- you may or may not have already noticed on your runs in the area, but I point it out considering how close the SRT is to southwest Philly, at least.

1

u/changeorchange 19d ago

track at 10th and Bigler? Hours are restricted but it is soft

0

u/MindAlternative5186 19d ago

Pennypack

2

u/CraftyProposal3161 19d ago

Driving an hour from South Philly to north east Philly for the pennypack is a hilarious suggestion little bud

1

u/MindAlternative5186 19d ago

Lollllll, how did i miss the whole South Philly part. My bad, dude.

1

u/sourgrapeday 18d ago

about on par with driving to valley forge or wiss