Loops! I Did It Again

As someone who hates carrying a bunch of stuff on long training runs, I really appreciate a nice looped course on a path or a trail. You can ditch your vest for a belt and use your car as an aid station. I’m guessing I’m not the only one who likes a loop, so I put together a list of scenic spots in the Greater Philadelphia Area with available parking and nice views.

My ideal loop is between 3 and 7 miles, but I included loops up to 9 miles. Some of these routes also have adjoining trails that are worth exploring.

Please head out on some of my go-to routes below, plus a lot of great recommendations from the fine folks at Uber Endurance Sports and Philly Trail Runners.

Philadelphia

Trail Name	Location	Miles
Andorra Nature Loop	Wissahickon Valley Park, West Bells Mills Road, Philly	3
Centennial Loop	Landsdowne Drive, West Fairmount Park, Philly	3.1
Lake Loop	John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Philly	3.4
Pennypack Park Trail South Side	Rhawn Street, Philly	3.6
Wildlife Refuge Loop	John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Philly	3.7
Orange Trail – Forbidden Drive Loop	Wissahickon Valley Park, Rittenhouse Homestead, Philly	4
Trolley Trail	Chamounix Drive, West Fairmount Park, Philly	4.9
Orange – Yellow Trail Loop	Wissahickon Valley Park, Valley Green, Philly	5.3
Philly River Loop	Art Museum Area, Philly	8.4

Pennsylania

Trail Name	Location	Miles
Skinner’s Loop	Lake Road, Blue Marsh Lake, Reading, PA	2.5
Nolde Forest Outer Loop	Oregon Road, Mohnton, PA	3.9
Mount Joy Trail to Mount Misery Trail Loop	Wilson Road Parking Lot, Valley Forge, PA	4
White to Yellow Trail Loop	Ridley Creek State Park, Media, PA	4.8
Hickory Run – Fireline – Skyline Trail Loop	Rte 534, Hickory Run State Park, Jim Thorpe, PA	5.2
Peace Valley Park	264 Creek Rd, Doylestown, PA	6
French Trail	Shed Road, French Creek State Park, Elverson, PA	6.4
Lake Border Trail – North Loop	Church Road, Blue Marsh Lake, Reading, PA	7
Trexler Nature Preserve	Schnecksville, PA	9

Delaware

Trail Name	Location	Miles
Whitely Farms Trail: Short Loop	Fairhill School Drive, White Clay Creek State Park, DE	3.4
Brandywine Creek State Park 5-Miler	West Rockland Road, New Castle County, DE	5
Ramsey Farm and Brandywine Creek	Ramsey Road, Wilmington, DE	5.4
Lums Pond	Buck Jersey Road, Bear, DE 19701	7