Take a Tour of the Wissahickon Trail Classic
After months of anticipation and preparation, the Wissahickon Trail Classic is less than a month away! FOW is ecstatic to embark on this new tradition of hosting and acting as the beneficiary for this unique 10k trail race! The Trail Classic is an extraordinary opportunity for not only FOW but also our members, park lovers, and runners looking for a new twist on their usual routine. Thank you, Wissahickon Wanderers, for passing the baton to us and partnering with us to support the park through this longtime favorite Wissahickon event.
Registration for the race closes next week, Wednesday, 5/24. Sign up today!
Explore new corners of your favorite urban gem, find relief from the chaos of everyday life on our peaceful trails, and get into your stride trail-running the Wissahickon Valley Park.
In preparation for the big day, let’s take a tour of the race.
Our journey begins on W. Northwestern Avenue and Forbidden Drive, a familiar gravel path for many.
We’ll follow Forbidden Drive south and over the iconic Red Covered Bridge, the last remaining bridge of its kind in the Wissahickon Park and the only covered bridge in a major city in the United States!
Saunter across the bridge and around the Lavender Trail, a quieter, Oak-lined trail with sets of modest hills and picturesque streams.
Next on our list of landmarks along the Wissahickon Trail Classic route is the Statue of Tedyuscung. One of the three statues, and the most visited of the bunch, the park has to offer. This kneeling figure was commissioned by Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Henry and carved in 1902 by John Massey Rhind (1860-1936). The statue is situated on Council Rock, the site where the Lenape Tribe are believed to have held gatherings.
Our route takes us over our second bridge, The Rex Avenue Bridge, one of the most recognizable symbols of the park. This 134-year-old bridge brings us back over the Wissahickon Creek and into the latter half of the race.
Onto the Houston Meadow, a habitat that was created as a part of the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Meadow Creation Initiative. Pass through the dense, collection of native warm-season grasses and wildflowers.
We’ll intersect the same point on Bells Mill Road we first crossed and finish out our race in the Andorra Woods. This area is known for its many unusual, non-native tree species like Japanese maple, Korean evodia, and European beech.
Once you can see the Cedars House Café, you’re home-free. You did it; you conquered 10k of trails!