Biking

Schuylkill Banks is the best spot to join the Schuylkill River Trail from Center City, South Philadelphia and West Philadelphia. The trail currently runs 1.2 miles along Schuylkill Banks in the heart of Philadelphia before connecting with Kelly Drive.

Schuylkill River Trail routes from Schuylkill Banks

East Falls Loop

This route is ideal for weekends when MLK Drive is closed to automobiles! From the north end of Schuylkill Banks, stay on the trail and ride under the MLK Drive and Spring Garden Street Bridges, continue on the trail past the Fairmount Water Works and Lloyd Hall. Turn left at Lloyd Hall to stay on the Schuylkill River Trail. Continue along the Kelly Drive portion of the Schuylkill River Trail approximately four miles until you reach the East Falls Bridge. Ride across the East Falls Bridge – being careful of traffic – and turn left on MLK Drive (or the MLK Drive trail). Take MLK Drive approximately four miles until it takes you back across the Schuylkill River to Schuylkill Banks. This loop is 8 miles from the Art Museum to the Art Museum. It is 10.4 miles from Locust Street to the Art Museum, up around the loop and back to Locust Street. Click on the map to the left to view a Google map of this route.

Schuylkill River Trail from Philadelphia to Valley Forge

From the north end of Schuylkill Banks, stay on the trail and ride under the MLK Drive and Spring Garden Street Bridges, continue on the trail past the Fairmount Water Works and Lloyd Hall. Turn left at Lloyd Hall to stay on the Schuylkill River Trail. Continue along the Kelly Drive portion of the Schuylkill River Trail approximately four miles until you reach the East Falls Bridge. Continue along Schuylkill Avenue past East Falls Bridge to Ridge Avenue. Veer left onto Main Street in Manayunk. When you reach Lock Street, you can either turn left to ride along the Manayunk Tow Path (gravel trail) or continue riding along Main Street until (directions for those avoiding the Tow path). At the end of the Tow Path, take Nixon Street to connect to the off-road trail. The trail continues off-road all the way to Valley Forge. Click on the map on the left to view a Google map of this route.

Getting to Schuylkill Banks on bicycle

From South Philadelphia, Rittenhouse Square, Fitler Square and adjacent neighborhoods

Take the Spruce Street bike lane to 25th Street, turn right on 25th Street and then turn left at the at-grade railroad track crossing into Schuylkill Banks. Do not use this entrance if it is blocked by a train.

From West Philadelphia or central Center City

Take Chestnut Street Bridge, Market Street Bridge or JFK Boulevard Bridge to the east side of the Schuylkill River and then take the Ramps from Chestnut and Market Streets or the JFK stairs down to Schuylkill Banks.

From Logan Square and nearby neighborhoods

Take Cherry Street to 22nd Street and turn right. Continue north on 22nd Street past Race Street, then turn left onto Summer Street. Take Summer Street to 23rd Street and turn left. Take 23rd Street south to Race Street and turn right. Take Race Street one block to the at-grade railroad track crossing onto Schuylkill Banks. Do not use this entrance if it is blocked by a train.

From the Art Museum area

Starting at Eakin’s Oval take Martin Luther King Jr. Drive just south of the Art Museum and use the signalized crossing to cross MLK Drive and enter Schuylkill Banks by the Plaza/Pergola. Alternately, take Kelly Drive South, continue on the trail past the Fairmount Water Works and under the Spring Garden and MLK Drive bridges to connect directly to Schuylkill Banks.