Green Ribbon Trail

What’s to love

The Green Ribbon Trail is a project of the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association, which helped connect 40 properties over 200 acres to give us this 12-mile hiking path. The trail winds from Upper Gwynedd Township nearly all the way south to the Wissahickon Valley Park. Along the way, you’ll pass by several protected natural areas—which can be used to extend your hike—including Parkside Place, Penllyn Woods, Four Mills Nature Reserve and Fort Washington State Park.

Expect to pass through natural meadows, wetlands, and deciduous forest with some nice old sycamore trees. I’ve only hiked half of the trail, but I found it to be peaceful and uncrowded.

Tips and quirks

• The trail has several sections of boardwalk (installed by Eagle Scouts!), and cement stepping-stones for crossing tributaries of the river. You’ll never need to get your feet wet.
• If you’re starting from the north end of the trail, there’s a park roughly 5 miles in with porta-potties.
• Again, if you’re starting at the top, parking is available at the Upper Gwynedd Township administration building.
• There are also some bridle paths in the area; you’ll notice them marked with actual horseshoes nailed to the trees along the way.