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Overview
The Cresheim Trail is a 2.6-mile natural surface trail in northwest Philadelphia.
About the Route
Meandering through Wissahickon Valley Park, the wooded trail makes several loops and has a few spurs which provide access to the trail from the surrounding neighborhoods. Please note that this 2-mile section is not on a former rail corridor, but plans include extending the trail and utilizing a former corridor for the route. The open section resembles a hiking trail and is best suited to mountain bikes. The Friends of the Cresheim Trail have built this section in the parklands owned by the city.
The first phase of the rail-trail portion is open with a natural surface. At its southwest end, the 0.6-mile rail-trail segment connects to the section of the trail that winds through the parklands. The rail-trail heads northeast until Germantown Ave, where a bridge is planned but not yet constructed. On the other side of Germantown Ave, the rail-trail continues northeast as it runs parallel to Cresheim Valley Drive through the woods. SEPTA's Chestnut Hill East Line crosses above the rail-trail on its route between the Mt. Airy and Wyndmoor stations.
Continuing north, the rail-trail heads through more city-owned parkland and makes a narrow loop just south of Stenton Ave with a portion of trail not on the former railroad corridor. The rail-trail also connects to the trails meandering through Wissahickon East.
Dogs are allowed.
Connections
The Cresheim Trail is part of the Circuit Trails, a developing 800-mile urban network of trails in Greater Philadelphia.
The Cresheim Trail runs between the intersection of Germantown Ave & Cresheim Valley Dr and the intersection of Lincoln Dr & Allens Ln in northwest Philadelphia.
SEPTA's Richard Allen Lane Train Station is near the southern end of the trail. Access the trail across the street by the intersection of Cresheim Rd & Allens Ln.
Visit the TrailLink map for all transit options and detailed directions.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
