Wissahickon Gorge North Loop

There are two major attractions on this hike that make this an absolute must for serious outdoor lovers. Hikers can investigate the history and the historical significance of Northwest Philadelphia while they’re overwhelmed by the natural history and majestic beauty of Wissahickon Gorge. Be sure to bring your camera. Centered around Wissahickon Gorge and the wide-flowing Wissahickon Creek, which runs seven miles through Fairmount Park, this hike leads you through an historic stone arch to Indian Rock, where the Lenni-Lenape Indians held council until they disappeared from the valley in the mid 18th Century. Here you can take a photo of Tedyuscung, a stone statue called the Kneeling Warrior. Explore a 97-foot-long covered bridge built in 1737, or take a break near a small dam that sends water cascading five feet over its crest. And be sure to get a photo of the giant tulip poplars—with diameters up to four feet, these are some of the largest in the state. Terrain: Gravel paths, rocky footpaths, dirt roads, and paved roads navigate a steep-sided gorge.