Valley Green (Wissahickon Park)

Valley Green (Wissahickon Park) Review

There are many great sections of Fairmount Park, but the 1,800 acres around Valley Green known as Wisssahickon Park may be the most stunning. Miles and miles of trails running along and above the river lead to covered bridges, a statue of an Indian chief, 17th century caves of a free-love cult, large boulders that drip water, and ducks. Forbidden Drive, on which cars are forbidden, runs from Northwestern Avenue (the westernmost part of Chestnut Hill) all the way to Lincoln Drive, where it connects to a bike and walking path. This leads eventually to Manayunk and Kelly Drive, where there are additional bike paths that can take you to the city or out along the Schuylkill. A couple of stables adjoin the park at different entrances: in Mount Airy are Montesary Stables (215/848-4088 www.kitchenslanestables.org), off Kitchen's Lane (turn downhill from Wissahickon Drive), and Northwestern Stables (215/685-9286 www.northwesternstables.com) at Northwestern and Germantown avenues. There are also many miles of surprisingly difficult mountain-bike trails. The Valley Green Inn is a decent restaurant located on Forbidden Drive and Valley Green Road, and there is a refreshment stand there as well.