Overview
Meandering through East Fairmount Park, the Boxers’ Trail is a 3.8-mile trail that offers scenic views of the Schuylkill River and access to Fairmount Park for the surrounding communities. The 10ft-wide paths that make up the trail have a mix of asphalt, concrete, gravel, crushed stone, and dirt surfaces.
About the Route
The trail meanders between the northwest corner of East Fairmount Park next to the Schuylkill River and the southeast corner of the park on N 33rd St. Access to the trail is possible at various points throughout the park.
Access the northern end at the intersection of Strawberry Mansion Dr & Woodford Dr by the east side of the Strawberry Mansion Bridge. The trail winds east across the park to the Boxers' Trail Gateway (intersection of Greenland Dr & W Dauphin Dr), which has seating and a monument to Philly's local boxing legends.
From the Gateway, the trail curves west and heads towards the river. There is a trailhead at the intersection of Edgely Drive & Reservoir Drive. Paralleling the river, the wooded trail continues south. For a closer look at river, try exploring the Schuylkill River Trail, which runs along the water on the other of Katy Drive from the Boxers' Trail.
Turning inland again, the Boxers' Trail follows Randolph Drive east to the trailhead at the intersection of Randolph Dr & Reservoir Dr.
The northern portion of the trail between Strawberry Mansion Bridge and the Randolph Drive & Reservoir Drive Trailhead is paved asphalt and concrete.
As the trail curves west towards the water and runs south paralleling the river, the surface is gravel and isn't bikeable. The trail follows the river as it curves southeast. There is a trailhead directly behind the Mount Pleasant Mansion, with parking available in front of the mansion.
Briefly heading north and following Fountain Green Drive, the trail surface is paved asphalt. The trail curves east and follows Reservoir Drive to the main entrance to the park, which serves as the southern end of the trail.
Access the southern end at the main entrance to East Fairmount Park (1500 N 33rd St, Philadelphia).
Connections
Fairmount Park, the Schuylkill River Trail, and the MLK Drive Trail are all nearby. The Schuylkill River Trail runs through East Fairmount Park and short portions of the Boxers' Trail parallel the 71+ mile riverside trail.
Trail History
Named to honor the Philadelphia boxers who used the area as part of their training regimes, the Boxer's Trail Gateway has informational panels highlighting the careers the of Bennie Briscoe, Joe Frazier, Bernard Hopkins, and Matthew Saad Muhammad. Smokin’ Joe Frazier in particular was known to train in the park.
The Boxer's Trail runs through East Fairmount Park between the intersection of Strawberry Mansion Dr & Woodford Dr and 1500 N 33rd St, Philadelphia (official address for the park).
Parking is available at the Mount Pleasant Mansion (3800 Mt Pleasant Dr, Philadelphia).
Visit the TrailLink map for detailed directions.
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