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This fall, Wissahickon Trails will host eight guided hikes along the Green Ribbon Trail. The hikes will vary in length and explore different sections of the 10.5 miles managed by Wissahickon Trails. Participants can join one hike, choose the sections that interest them most, or take part in the full series!
This 5-mile section will travel upstream, exploring the area between Four Mills Nature Reserve and the community of Penllyn. Beginning and ending at the Four Mills Barn, we will hike 2.5 miles along the Green Ribbon Trail to Penllyn. Once we reach Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, we will reverse course, and hike the same 2.5 miles back to Four Mills.
Detailed Description:
The hike will begin at the Four Mills Barn where hikers will go up and across two large, metal bridges with 10-14 steps on either end of each. There are 42” high safety barriers on both sides and handrails on both sets of steps. The wooden decking can be slippery when wet. After the second bridge, we will turn upstream on the Green Ribbon Trail. The trail continues beside the Wissahickon as a packed dirt trail with roots and rocks, and some areas with washed up gravel (from flooding), along with four short boardwalks that each have a 3-5” step up and down. As we approach Butler Ave., there is one more large metal bridge, similar to the first two, which takes us to a sewer line with small loose/embedded gravel.
After crossing Butler Pike, the trail has many embedded and loose rocks of varying sizes as well as roots. It is flat, with few muddy areas as we approach Mt. Pleasant Ave. We will cross Mt. Pleasant into a wooded area leading to 4 steps that take you down to the Garden Club Crossing (Mather's Crossing), which consists of 11 stepping stones embedded in the creek. The trail then crosses a small stream over medium and large stones that can shift underfoot during crossing.
The trail joins with a paved road before re-entering the woods, where the surface returns to packed dirt through a heavily vegetated area with roots and rocks. There are several wooden structures as the trail travels past Cedarbrook Country Club and a 20-25% descent. We will approach Penllyn Blue Bell Pike where will turn around to make the return trip.
Access Info
Elevation change: less than 100ft
Trail surface(s): Asphalt; hard-packed dirt with sections of embedded rocks (some up to 6” tall); gravel; exposed roots and rocks; wooden bridges/boardwalks; mowed grass. Note the wooden bridges/boardwalks can become very slippery if wet.
Pace: Moderate – roughly 30 minutes per mile
Features: 1 Stepping stone crossing across the creek; multiple wooden bridges and boardwalks of varying lengths, some with steps up and some with wooden or earthen ramps; wooden steps down the creek crossing; 3 large, metal bridges with wooden decking and 10-14 steps on either end.
Amenities: Restrooms & water bottle filling available at Four Mills Barn
Shade: Many sections of the route are shaded, but we will also be walking through areas with no shade.
Habitat: Paved parking lots, forest, fields
What to bring: water, sun protection, durable shoes
