Maps:
The most important map:
Bookmarking the perimeter outline in Google Maps might be one of the most useful wayfinding tools for your perimeter exploration.
Note: You’ll want to get that link open in the actual Google Maps app, not in a web browser. On some mobile devices, that might require copying and pasting the link into an SMS text message to yourself or someone else, and then clicking the link from within that sent text message. If you have trouble on an iPhone, try setting your default web browser to Safari before clicking on the link. Then click the button to “open in Google Maps”
Segments, off-ramp options & terrain notes:
All distances and times are estimates that may vary significantly based on each group’s choices. The off-ramp options listed below are just a few of the many transit options to leave the walk; you can find other options using the SEPTA or Google Maps transit planner apps.
Counter-clockwise toward Heinz / Airport
Segment note: This segment can end at the Heinz Wildlife Refuge, or continue on towards the airport. Following the perimeter through to the airport can get tricky, and options for the group will be discussed at the beginning of the day.
| off-ramp options | distance* from start | time* from start | Terrain notes |
| Start point | 0 | 0 | option for one bit of off-road adventure |
| 60th & Chester – trolley | 1.5 miles | 1:00:00 | option for Cobbs Creek Parkway road crossing & small hills in Mt Moriah Cemetery |
| 65th & Cobbs Creek – trolley | 2.5 miles | 1:30:00 | mostly sidewalk, option for off-road adventure |
| Woodland & Island aves – trolley | 3.5 miles | 2:00:00 | mostly sidewalk, option for off-road adventure |
| Elmwood & Island aves – trolley | 4 miles | 2:15:00 | mostly sidewalk, option for off-road adventure |
| Heinz Refuge or Airport | 7.5 miles | 4:00:00 | Segment ends with an option for a rail & creek crossing with small brambles and a large intersection crossing (no crosswalks) |
Counter-Clockwise around Hog Island toward Airport
Segment note: While Hog Island Rd is pretty remote, there are a few bus stops along the way, and rideshare pickup is easy anywhere.
| off-ramp options | distance* from start | time* from start | Terrain notes |
| Start point | 0 | 0 | mostly road with wide shoulder, options for offroad adventures to the riverbank |
| Terminals E & F – regional rail | 10 miles | 6:00:00 | . |
Counter-clockwise toward Pier 68
Segment note: This segment involves a crossing of the Schuylkill River. This is generally done via the Platt Bridge, which has a pedestrian passage on the East side. Big heights close to traffic can be intense! Beyond there, there’s potential for rougher areas without sidewalks.
| off-ramp options | distance* from start | time* from start | Terrain notes |
| Start point | 0 | 0 | mostly sidewalks, one bridge crossing w/ big heights |
| Broad Street – BSL | 5.5 miles | 3:00:00 | more industrial roads, options might include rougher off-road, areas w/o sidewalk |
| Pier 68 – 64 bus | 14 miles | 5:30:00 | . |
Counter-clockwise toward Bridesburg
| off-ramp options | distance* from start | time* from start | Terrain notes |
| Start point | 0 | 0 | mostly sidewalks |
| Washington Ave – 64 bus | 1 mile | 0:30:00 | mostly sidewalks |
| Market St – MFL | 2 miles | 1:00:00 | mostly sidewalks |
| Spring Garden – MFL | 3 miles | 1:30:00 | mostly sidewalks |
| Berks St – trolley to BSL | 4 miles | 2:00:00 | options for sidewalks or slightly rougher industrial lands. |
| Allegheny Ave – trolley to BSL | 7 miles | 3:30:00 | options for sidewalks or slightly rougher industrial lands. |
| Bridesburg – regional rail | 10 miles | 5:30:00 | . |
COUNTER-CLOCKWISE toward Torresdale
| off-ramp options | distance* from start | time* from start | Terrain notes |
| Start point | 0 | 0 | mostly sidewalks |
| Tacony – regional rail | 3 miles | 1:45:00 | mostly sidewalks |
| Holmesburg Junction – regional rail | 5 miles | 2:30:00 | mostly sidewalks |
| Torresdale – regional rail | 10 miles | 6:00:00 | . |
Counter-clockwise toward Somerton
Segment note: This is the segment with the most potential for off-roading & adventures in creeks & brambles. In warmer weather, some overgrown areas may be inaccessible.
| off-ramp options | distance* from start | time* from start | Terrain notes |
| Start point | 0 | 0 | choices include some wooded trails and more significant bushwhacking, or simple straightforward sidewalks. |
| Knight’s Road – bus to MFL | 5 miles | 2:00:00 | choices include some wooded trails and more significant bushwhacking, or simple straightforward sidewalks. |
| Roosevelt Blvd – bus to MFL | 9.5 miles | 3:45:00 | potential for more off-roading, brambles, creek & rail crossings. (There’s always another way around) |
| Somerton – regional rail | 13.5 miles | 6:30:00 | . |
Counter-clockwise toward Cheltenham Ave H-Mart
| off-ramp options | distance* from start | time* from start | Terrain notes |
| Start point | 0 | 0 | mostly sidewalks |
| Forest Hills – regional rail | 1.5 miles | 1:30:00 | mostly sidewalks |
| Philmont – regional rail | 3.5 miles | 2:30:00 | roads, limited sidewalks. Medium hills, and a few options for more off-road adventuring. |
| Fox Chase – regional rail | 8.5 miles | 5:30:00 | mostly sidewalk |
| Ryers – regional rail | 10.5 miles | 6:00 | mostly sidewalks or potential to follow rail bed |
| Cheltenham – regional rail | 11 miles | 7:00 | mostly sidewalk |
| Lawndale – regional rail | 12 miles | 8:00 | sidewalk, park trail, some medium hills, one railway crossing to navigage (there’s a way around) |
| Melrose park – regional rail | 15 miles | 9:30 | mostly sidewalk |
COUNTER-CLOCKWISE toward Schuylkill Center
Segment note: one railway crossing to navigage (there’s a way around)
| off-ramp options | distance* from start | time* from start | Terrain notes |
| Wyndmoor – regional rail | 4 miles | 2:00:00 | mostly sidewalk |
| Gravers – regional rail | 4.5 miles | 2:15:00 | mostly sidewalk |
| Chestnut Hill East – regional rail | 5 miles | 2:30:00 | mostly sidewalk |
| Germantown Ave – bus | 6.5 miles | 3:30 | mostly sidewalk, some not pedestrian friendly road |
| Ridge Ave – bus | 7.5 miles | 4:30 | wooded trail plus road |
Counter-clockwise toward St. Joseph’s
Segment note: The earlier part of this segment involves a significant downhill. There’s a longer stretch of this segment (between Miquon & Ivy Ridge) where rideshare pickups aren’t possible. Part of this segment involves crossing the Schuylkill River. There are multiple ways to do this, but the one closest to the perimeter is not the most pedestrian friendly. Options for the group will be discussed at the beginning of the day.
| off-ramp options | distance* from start | time* from start | Terrain notes |
| Start point | 0 | 0 | Steep descent to river in first segment no matter what path chosen. Options for road (no sidewalk but low traffic) or trails or off-road. |
| Miquon – regional rail | 1.5 miles | 1:00:00 | canal & river trail, easy walking but longer stretch w/o easy rideshare pickup |
| Ivy Ridge – regional rail | 4.5 mile | 2:30:00 | canal trail |
| Manayunk – regional rail | 5.5 miles | 3:00:00 | mostly sidewalk |
| Wissahickon Station – regional rail Wissahickon Transportation Center – bus | 6.5 miles | 3:30:00 | mostly sidewalk, w/ potential tricky road crossing & non-pedestrian friendly roads depending on path chosen |
| Bala – regional rail | 8.5 miles | 4:30 | mostly sidewalk |
Counter-clockwise toward 61st & Baltimore
Segment note:
| off-ramp options | distance* from start | time* from start | Terrain notes |
| Overbrook – regional rail | 0.5 miles | 1:30:00 | mostly sidewalk |
| 63rd & Market – MFL | 6 miles | 4:00:00 | Trail in the woods, potential for off-trail exploration & a few little hills |
| 61st & Baltimore | 8 miles | 5:30:00 | . |