Ft Washington St Pk via Green Ribbon Trail & Sheaf Rd

3-3.5 hours, 6-8 miles, mostly flat, great trails, incredible farms and mansions along Sheaf Rd

The Green Ribbon Trail winds along the Wissahickon for about 13 miles from Upper Gwynedd Township to Stenton Ave near Philly. Eventually the trail will connect with Forbidden Drive near Northwestern Ave in the Wissahickon part of Fairmount Park. We hike the north part and south parts of the green ribbon trail separately. They are about 10 miles part. Both hikes are great if you like beautiful trails along the water.

For the Green Ribbon South Hike we have options:
One option, that I plan to take today, is a loop hike where we head down Sheaf Rd towards Ft Washington State Pk then take the Green Ribbon Trail back. We will see beautiful farms and mansions that make you feel like you are in Lancaster County though you are 5 minutes from Philadelphia.
Highlights include the grounds of the historic Highlands Mansion built in the 19th century and the Hawk Observation Deck and bird feeders at Ft Washington St Pk. We once saw 11 pairs of cardinals and hummingbirds.
The other option is to go north 5 miles to Penllyn Park area before making a U-turn and heading back. The path is often right along the creek in areas not explored by others. Beautiful scenery. The photo above shows more what this option looks like.

Carpooling
To carpool from Hill House (201 W Evergreen Ave, Phila) meet 20 minutes before the event. Carpool time changes if hike time changes. Text me (215 2474459) 3-4 days in advance.

GENERAL RULES : ••Hike at my pace. ••Hike lengths are approx: allow 30min -1hr extra. ••Donation requested. All monies donated to recreational charities like Natural Lands and the Friends of Wissahickon. •• For ~360 events each year donate $20 (2025), $30 for 2 or family or donate $5 for each event. ••Pay in person or at Zelle (215 247-4459). Thanks. The yearly donation goes down to $15 July-Aug; to $10 in Sept-Nov; Dec new year.