The best walks and hikes around Prospect Park
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Hikes around Prospect Park Brooklyn explore a 526-acre urban green space designed to provide a sense of the countryside. The park contains Brooklyn's only forest, with trails winding through woodlands, past a 60-acre lake, and along a man-made watercourse with several waterfalls. The terrain is generally gentle, with a mix of paved, gravel, and wood-chipped paths suitable for various fitness levels.
Best hiking trails around Prospect Park
- The most popular hiking route is Hiking loop from Prospect Park, a 3.7 mile (5.9 km) trail that takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to complete. This easy path offers a good overview of the park's main features.
- Another top favourite among local hiking enthusiasts is the Ravine Loop, a moderate path through a steep, forested valley. This route immerses hikers in the nearly 150 acres of woodlands and scenic waterways known as Brooklyn's only forest.
- Local hiking enthusiasts also love the Midwood Trail, a short loop of about 30 minutes. This trail leads through a section of old-growth forest containing some of the park's largest trees.
- Hiking around Prospect Park is defined by its serene woodlands, a sprawling meadow, and an intricate watercourse. The established network of nature trails offers options for both short, easy walks and longer, more immersive hikes.
- The routes in Prospect Park are highly rated by the komoot community with an average score of 5.0 stars from a number of reviews. More than 70 hikers have used komoot to explore Prospect Park's varied terrain.
Last updated: June 28, 2026
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The Wetland Loop Trail offers a delightful journey through the diverse wetland areas of the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum in Philadelphia. You'll follow a gentle singletrack path, providing an intimate experience with the local ecosystem. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, especially around the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Impoundment, which is a fantastic spot for eagle watching.
This easy hike covers 3.5 miles (5.6 km) with a negligible 28 feet (9 metres) of elevation gain, making it suitable for nearly everyone and taking approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes to complete. It's a family-friendly option that connects to larger trail networks like the East Coast Greenway, offering flexibility for longer outings if desired.
This trail provides a peaceful, green oasis that feels a world away from the nearby urban bustle of Philadelphia. It's an excellent opportunity to observe abundant birdlife and experience a thriving wetland environment, making it a notable escape for nature lovers and a great introduction to the refuge's natural beauty.
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The Springfield Trail offers a delightful immersion in nature, winding through wooded areas and past small waterfalls. You'll encounter diverse plant life, including massive tulip poplars and impressive beech trees, creating a serene escape within Smedley Park. The route follows tributaries like Whiskey Run and Lownes Run, providing picturesque water crossings and a blend of forest and suburban landscapes.
For those planning a visit, the Springfield Trail is easily accessible with 13 recognized trailheads, each featuring informative signs and maps. The trail is generally well-maintained, making it a local favorite for its peaceful environment. If you're wondering about Springfield Trail dog friendly options, leashed dogs are permitted on the East and North sections, so bring your furry friend along.
Beyond its natural beauty, the Springfield Trail boasts historical significance, passing remnants of old paper mills and the homes of their workers. This loop, originally blazed in 1969, has evolved over time, offering a unique glimpse into the region's past while providing a refreshing break from daily life in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
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4.28km
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The Valley Walk: Crum Woods offers a delightful escape into one of Delaware County's last remaining forested areas, perfect for a quick nature fix. This easy hiking route follows the winding Crum Creek, immersing you in lush, biodiverse woodland where you'll spot soaring tulip trees and white oaks. Keep an eye out for the intriguing Crumhenge, a circular arrangement of massive boulders, which adds a unique touch to the natural scenery.
Planning your visit is straightforward; the woods are open from sunup to sundown with no permits or fees needed. Parking is readily available at the Scott Entrance Garden and other Swarthmore College lots. The trail is dog-friendly, provided your furry friend stays on a leash, and while it's generally easy, be prepared for varied terrain including roots, rocks, and potential mud after rainfall.
This 2.7-mile (4.3 km) trail, with a gentle 186 feet (57 metres) of elevation gain, takes about 1 hour and 9 minutes to complete, making it an ideal choice for a family-friendly outing or a beginner hiking route. The Crum Woods serve as a living classroom for Swarthmore College, highlighting its rich ecological significance and extensive biodiversity, making it more than just a walk in the park.
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3.39km
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The Delco Woods Loop is an easy 2.1-mile (3.4 km) hike with just 132 feet (40 metres) of elevation gain, taking about 54 minutes to complete. This route guides you through a delightful mix of undeveloped forest, wetlands, and meadows, offering a refreshing escape into nature. You'll encounter frequent creek crossings and some "flowy singletrack" sections with roots, giving you a real feel for the diverse terrain within Delaware County's newest and largest park. Keep an eye out for local wildlife as you wander through the dense forests.
Planning your visit to Delco Woods means stepping into a park that's actively evolving. While the trail is already a great option, future developments include a paved "Woodland Loop Trail" to improve accessibility for users with wheelchairs or strollers, alongside upgrades to parking and restrooms. The park is committed to preserving 90 percent of its existing forest, balancing conservation with enhanced recreational opportunities.
This trail stands out as a significant investment in open space for the community, transforming the former Don Guanella property into a public park after years of advocacy. It's a testament to the region's commitment to providing convenient natural preserves within a bustling area. The Delco Woods Loop is an excellent choice for beginners or families looking for an accessible and engaging outdoor experience.
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The Darby Creek Trail offers a delightful, varied experience, winding through wooded areas right alongside the tranquil creek. You'll encounter a mix of surfaces, from natural dirt and grass to smooth, wide paved sections, making it one of the most accessible trails in the region. The scenery is consistently pleasant, providing a refreshing connection to nature even close to urban areas, with the sounds of the creek often taking precedence over distant traffic.
Planning your visit to the Darby Creek Trail is straightforward, as it's designed for ease of access. This easy 1.0-mile (1.7 km) hike, with a minimal 27 feet (8 metres) of elevation gain, can be completed in about 25 minutes, making it ideal for a spontaneous outing. Its family-friendly nature, including sections perfect for strollers and mobility devices, means you can bring everyone along for a gentle walk.
What makes the Darby Creek Trail truly notable is its role as a key component of "The Circuit," a vast network of interconnected trails in the Philadelphia region. This trail's inclusive design and creek-side beauty within Darby Creek Valley Park highlight its importance, offering a welcoming outdoor experience for all. It's a great example of how natural spaces are being integrated into developed surroundings.
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Popular around Prospect Park
Tips from the Community
Eagle enthusiasts flock to John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Impoundment for optimal eagle-watching opportunities. Traverse the impoundment loop counterclockwise, ensuring the impoundment is on your left, for the best view of these majestic birds and their nests. The observation platform and cross-dike road offer prime locations for eagle sightings.
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This park was named after Samuel L. Smedley, the founder of Delaware County's Parks and Recreation Board. It is popular with hikers, runners, and bikers, offering miles of trails, ruins, and the scenic Crum Creek running throughout.
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This area, similar to the world-famous Stonehenge, consists of a several-acre meadow with a circular arrangement of massive boulders. While mostly used for bonfires by local college students, it also offers a unique perspective from this viewpoint.
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Crum Woods is one of the last remaining forested areas in Delaware County, featuring 3.5 miles of trails winding through a lush, biodiverse forest. The area serves as a classroom for the college, taking advantage of its rich biodiversity.
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Eagle enthusiasts flock to John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Impoundment for optimal eagle-watching opportunities. Traverse the impoundment loop counterclockwise, ensuring the impoundment is on your left, for the best view of these majestic birds and their nests. The observation platform and cross-dike road offer prime locations for eagle sightings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed on the hiking trails in Prospect Park?
Yes, dogs are welcome in Prospect Park but must be kept on a leash on the hiking trails. The park does offer off-leash hours in the Long Meadow and other designated areas, but for the safety of wildlife and other park users, leashes are required within the woodlands and on the nature trails.
Are there any easy, family-friendly hikes in Prospect Park?
Absolutely. The park has several gentle trails perfect for families and beginners. A great option is the Hidden ruins loop from Morton, which is an easy walk. Most of the park's paths are a mix of paved, gravel, and wood-chipped surfaces, making them accessible for all ages.
How long are the hiking trails in Prospect Park?
Trail lengths vary to suit different preferences. You can find short, 30-minute loops like the Midwood Trail, or you can combine paths for a longer hike. For example, the John Heinz Lake & Wetlands Loop Trail — John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is a more substantial moderate walk that takes a few hours to complete.
Can I see waterfalls while hiking in the park?
Yes, Prospect Park features a man-made watercourse with a series of waterfalls. The Waterfall Trail is specifically designed to follow this feature, starting from the impressive Fallkill Falls. These spots are local favorites for their tranquil atmosphere.
What is the terrain like on the trails?
The terrain is generally gentle, with some moderate sections. Most trails are a mix of paved, wood-chipped, and gravel paths. The most rugged terrain is found in the Ravine, a forested valley with steeper paths that provide a more immersive woodland hiking experience.
How do I get to the Prospect Park hiking trails using public transport?
Prospect Park is very accessible by subway. The F, G, B, Q, and S trains all have stops within a short walk of the park's entrances. For trail access, the 15th St-Prospect Park (F/G) and Parkside Av (Q) stations are convenient starting points.
Where is the best place for birdwatching in Prospect Park?
The entire park is a significant birdwatching destination, especially during migration seasons. The Lullwater Trail, which runs by the water near the Prospect Park Audubon Center, is an excellent spot. The woodlands of the Ravine and the area around Prospect Park Lake also offer prime opportunities to see some of the 100+ species that visit the park.
What makes the Ravine a unique area to hike?
The Ravine is known as Brooklyn's only forest and offers the most secluded hiking experience in the park. It's a nearly 150-acre area with a steep, forested valley and scenic waterways. The trails here feel surprisingly remote for being in the middle of the city.
Are most of the hiking trails circular loops?
Yes, many of the formal nature trails are designed as loops, making them easy to navigate. The Midwood Trail is a popular 30-minute loop, and other routes like the Hiking loop from Folcroft are also circular, allowing you to start and end in the same place without backtracking.
Where can I find Brooklyn's last old-growth forest?
Brooklyn's last remaining old-growth forest is located within Prospect Park's 350-acre woodland. You can hike through a significant portion of it on the Midwood Trail, which features some of the oldest and largest trees in the borough.
How does hiking in Prospect Park compare to Central Park?
While both were designed by Olmsted and Vaux, Prospect Park's hiking is often considered more rustic. It contains Brooklyn's only forest and the steep Ravine, offering a more immersive natural experience. Central Park's trails are generally wider and more integrated with its iconic landmarks, whereas Prospect Park's nature trail system is designed to feel more like a retreat into the countryside.
What do other hikers enjoy most about Prospect Park?
The park is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 5.0 stars. Hikers often praise the feeling of escaping the city while walking through the quiet, dense woodlands of the Ravine and the Midwood. The well-maintained trail system and beautiful water features are also frequently mentioned.
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