Philadelphia is one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in the US. It has a rich history, grand architecture, cultural landmarks, and universities.
There are many choices for runners in Philly, with many excellent downtown options, majestic parks, and wonderful river trails. Moreover, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a famous runner attraction thanks to Rocky’s renowned climb up its steps.
Are you a native Philadelphian? Or maybe a tourist seeing the many landmarks of this majestic city? Whatever the answer is, if you are in Philly and wondering, “What are the best running routes near me?” we have you covered with our top 10 best Philadelphia runs.
1. Downtown Philadelphia
Usually, running downtown is not enticing for running due to traffic congestion and the overall unpleasantness of the urban setting. But center city Philadelphia running trails are an exception. If you want to see the city while also getting your daily dose of running, go for a run in downtown Philly.
We recommend starting at City Hall and going up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to Logan Square. Circle around the massive statue, taking advantage of the shaded paths, and go past the Rodin Museum, Barnes Foundation, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Yes, you have to do the steps – we have included this landmark for a reason.
You will then travel north through Schuylkill River Path next to Kelly Drive, passing the famous Boathouse Row. Afterward, you will go through Fairmount Park, turn around at Girard Ave., and return to the Museum.
From there, stay to the right to go south on the Schuylkill River Path for about 1 mile towards downtown, heading to Locust St., through Rittenhouse Square. Go left on 15th St. to get back to City Hall.
This route will easily clock in at 10K, but you can extend it further by continuing down one of the nearby running trails: the Schuylkill River Trail, Fairmount Park, or the Old Philadelphia tour east of Downtown.
Why is it great?
- Amazing architecture.
- Iconic Rocky Steps and Statue.
- Great blend of nature and man-made architecture.
- Flexible route with many opportunities to extend.
- Mostly well-shaded.
- Well-lit at night.
2. Old Philadelphia
Philadelphia was crucial in the history of the US and now benefits from having the most magnificent Old City. Its homes, buildings, and museums are preserved by the National Park Service, along with the scenic National Park area and shaded streets of Society Hill.
We recommend a run through the residential streets, starting at Franklin Square and continuing past the National Constitution Center, Independence Hall, Franklin Museum, and Museum of the American Revolution, then finishing at either Pine St. or Spruce St., for a nice 5K run.
You might be thinking: “that run was nice, but I didn’t have quite enough. What are the other running trails near me?” Well, you can go to the above-described Philadelphia Downtown route or jump to point 6, the Delaware Waterfront.
Why is it great?
- Great architecture.
- Historical landmarks.
- Possible extensions.
- Mostly well-shaded.
- Well-lit at night.
3. Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park is one of the largest urban green spaces in the US, clocking in at 9,200 acres. Schuylkill River divides the park into east and west parts, with many trails to choose from and a number of bridges connecting them.
We suggest you look at the map and find a path you like. For starters, we recommend the busier paved Kelly Drive or the adjacent, more serene dirt Boxer Trail.
Why is it great?
- Many routes to pick from.
- Most routes are well-shaded and lit at night.
- Terrific green scenery.
- Seasonal cherry blossoms.
4. Schuylkill River Trail
The Schuylkill River trail is currently unfinished; only 60 miles are accessible for now. However, 10.5 miles go through central Philly, which is plenty for a good run. Most of the trail is on the eastern side of the river, but there are sections where both sides are paved with bridges connecting them.
The highlight of the run is the long boardwalk from Locust Street to South St. Bridge.
You can also use the Manayunk Towpath parallel to the canal and the Schuylkill River for a less crowded route featuring dirt, gravel, and paved roads.
Why is it great?
- Great green scenery.
- Well-shaded.
- Partially lit.
- Option for off-road trails.
5. Philadelphia Marathon Path
If you are preparing for the AACR Philadelphia Marathon, you cannot go wrong training at the Philly marathon path. The marathon of 2022 has full marathon, half marathon, and 8K distances on the same route.
The route will see you running through downtown Philadelphia, Old City, near the Delaware River, and along the Schuylkill River most of the time. If you want to familiarize yourself with the route, we recommend incorporating parts of this marathon into your training routine.
Why is it great?
- Full marathon trail.
- Opportunity to train for AACR Philadelphia Marathon.
- Incredible sights to see, both man-made and natural.
6. Delaware River Waterfront
If you crave running near a massive river, there is nothing better than the Delaware River Waterfront. Christopher Columbus Blvd. is amazing, with some great waterside views. And, if you want to spice up your run, you can cross the Ben Franklin Bridge into Camden and turn south to either RCA Pier or even further to Wiggins Waterfront Park.
Why is it great?
- Nice waterfront views.
- Opportunity to go to Camden.
- Well-lit at night.
7. University of Pennsylvania Campus
The University of Pennsylvania is one of America’s oldest universities. Its old campus makes for quite an enjoyable run with eclectic architectural styles and tree-lined paths totaling about 3-4 miles.
If you want to extend your run, you can choose more internal paths or cross one of the bridges to the Schuylkill River Trail.
Why is it great?
- Close to the university (nice for students).
- Varied architecture.
- Well-lit at night.
- Fairly crowded even at night.
- Pleasant well-shaded tree-lined paths.
- Opportunity to cross to Schuylkill River Trail.
8. Rocky Run
Philadelphia is famous among runners, thanks to Rocky. If you want to reenact the iconic Philadelphia Rocky run, you will have to put in a lot of work.
The good folks at Geography Educational have recreated the run, which clocks in at over 30 miles long. You can see the interactive map here.
We have to say that it is not a 100% faithful recreation because, well, Rocky was over 45 years ago. But this is the closest we can get now.
Why is it good?
- Long, challenging run.
- Chance to recreate the iconic moments in the movie.
9. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Park is a magnificent Olmsted-designed park with multiple trails, a golf course, and other recreational options. The longest lap of the park is roughly 3 miles, but you can extend it by going through the internal paths.
Why is it great?
- Terrific park scenery.
- Multiple routes to explore.
- Well-lit at night.
- Well-shaded.
10. Wissahickon Valley Park
Wissahickon Valley Park, a.k.a. Valley Green, has over 50 miles of wild, untamed trails, popular for hiking, walking, and trail running. You can also choose the 5-mile flat gravel trail along Wissahickon Creek called the Forbidden Drive (only forbidden to cars, no need to worry).
Why is it great?
- Wild, untamed trails.
- Lots of trails to choose from.
- Easy route option.
Conclusion
Philadelphia is a picturesque city with many great places for running. If you take the time to research your routes, running in Philadelphia can become extremely rewarding.
We hope you enjoyed our list of the top 10 Philadelphia runs. Did we forget your favorite route? Let us know in the comments!
