Wissahickon's Forbidden Drive Named PA's 'Trail Of The Year'

PHILADELPHIA – A trail in Wissahickon Valley Park earned state honors recently, as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced one of the most popular trails in the park was named the 2018 Trail of the Year.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn made the announcement that Forbidden Drive, also known as Wissahickon Valley Park Trail, is the 2018 Trail of the Yeat on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

"This trail truly is among so many Fairmount Park gems, and one that shines brightest for the thousands of hikers, bikers, anglers and others who travel it each year," Dunn said. "For decades, Friends of the Wissahickon has been working hard to make a great trail even better. It’s all here. Quality, benefits to the region, and a strong volunteer network and multitude of partnerships qualify Forbidden Drive to be singled out in this fifth year of very special recognition."

Forbidden Drive runs five miles along Wissahickon and through the park, passing the Thomas Mill Covered Bridge, Valley Green Inn and other numerous landmarks.

"We're thrilled that the beautiful and historic Forbidden Drive has been named Trail of the Year," Maura McCarthy, executive director of Friends of the Wissahickon, said. "The name belies this urban oasis that welcomes visitors of all ages on foot, bikes, or horseback to enjoy the wonders of nature that Friends of the Wissahickon works to conserve."

Each year, the Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee — whichis charged with implementing the recommendations of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan to develop a statewide land and water trail network to facilitate recreation, transportation, and healthy lifestyles — designates a Trail of the Year to help build enthusiasm and support for both large and small trails, and raise public awareness about the value of Pennsylvania’s trail network, according to Friends of the Wissahickon.

Designated a National Recreation Trail in 1975, Forbidden Trail connects users with a rich history through many historic landmarks, 50 miles of natural surface trails, and a regional trail network that takes them into Pennsylvania’s countryside on the Schuylkill River Trail (with access to state parks), and The Circuit (with a link to the East Coast Greenway).

Wissahickon Valley once served as the hunting and fishing grounds of the Lenni Lenape. It later became the site of more than 25 mills that were built along its banks in the 1800s, and numerous taverns and roadhouses were built along the Wissahickon Turnpike, now known as Forbidden Drive.

Wissahickon Valley Park has been celebrated in poetry and in paintings. In 1868, Fairmount Park acquired the 1,800 acres of the Wissahickon Valley to preserve the purity of the then city water supply. Mills and taverns were demolished, but the dams remain, telling the story of the industry that was once there.

Image via Friends of the Wissahickon