Forbidden Drive is a perfect beginner hiking trail for children and adults of all ages.

With the wide hiking trail that Forbidden Drive has to offer, it is perfect for visitors young and old.  There are gradual turns and only slight hills for ease. We love that the trail offers visitors the ability to explore and make frequent stops without interrupting other visitors, as there is plenty of room for other hikers or bikers to go around.   It’s a perfect trail for your dogs also, leash required.  Forbidden drive has 5.35 miles of trail that follows along the Wissahickon Creek.  The trail offers beautiful areas to stop and observe the creek, which my son loved watching as it flowed along.  There is not a shortage of wildlife, including birds that children will love watching and trying to guess which type of bird it is. There are benches along the trail for breaks.  

There are many different parking lots to park in that will allow you to join the trail at different spots.  Please check the map online to see which spot you would like to join the best.  My personal preferred spot is the Northwestern Ave parking area, as there are plenty of spots to park and there is a great coffee shop, The Cedars House.  The Cedars House is perfect for your family to stop and enjoy a coffee, breakfast or lunch at the beginning or the end of your hike, or even the middle if hunger strikes you.  Further along the trail is the Valley Green Inn for a nice lunch or dinner, I have not had a single item off the menu I did not love yet.  They have outdoor seating as an option so that you may enjoy the beautiful creek and trees while you eat and drink.  They have an ice cream shop to order from outside also during the summer season.