Keeping Forbidden Drive Resilient for Decades to Come
Forbidden Drive, the arterial trail that runs through the park, is synonymous with the Wissahickon Valley. Everyone who knows Wissahickon Valley Park loves “the Drive.”
Critics agree – Forbidden Drive was named Trail of the Year in 2018 by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)!
Walking along the 5.3-mile gravel path, beneath a canopy of century-old trees, is a scenic tour through the center of the Gorge. Across the creek, you can spot some of the park’s most recognizable landmarks like Devil’s Pool and Glen Fern. The Drive also connects to seven adjacent, multi-use trails, offering a range of experiences for all users.
Forbidden Drive is a haven for not just Philadelphians, but trail-users from across the region.
Did you know that the Drive is a part of the Circuit Trails, a growing network of more than 860 miles connecting the greater Philadelphia area and southern New Jersey?
In 2026, Friends of the Wissahickon will advance efforts to protect this essential corridor from stormwater runoff, sediment, and other nonpoint source pollutants, as well as streambank instability, through the ongoing Streambank Resiliency and Flood Study.
In partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Philadelphia Water Department, FOW and our consultant, Princeton Hydro, will assess Forbidden Drive and seven access trails to guide the next decade of resiliency-focused capital projects – so you can enjoy the Drive for years to come.
This is a long-term investment in the accessibility and sustainability of the trails, the health of the surrounding habitat, and the water quality of the Wissahickon Creek, a drinking water source for more than 300,000 Philadelphians.
Photo: Harriet Morton