By Fede from komoot
·
Updated June 6, 2026
If you've ever tried to plan mountain biking around Westville, you know how quickly the options can feel overwhelming. With so many trails out there, it's tough to tell which ones are genuinely worth your time and effort, and which are just filler. That's where we come in. Our komoot community has ridden, mapped, and reviewed these routes, so we've done the legwork to bring you a curated shortlist of the best mountain bike trails in Westville, saving you the guesswork.
Mountain biking around Westville is all about embracing the unique blend of river valleys and urban green spaces. You'll find trails winding through wooded sections and along waterways like Wissahickon Creek, offering a refreshing mix of natural beauty and convenient access points. The terrain here ranges from moderate paths to more difficult climbs, with elevation changes that will keep things interesting, ensuring there's something for every skill level.
If you're looking for a challenging ride that truly showcases the area's character, we'd start with the Wissahickon Creek Waterfall – Wissahickon Creek Viewpoint loop from 15th-16th & Locust. At 39.0 miles (62.8 km) with over 1,700 feet (526 m) of climbing, it's a demanding route that delivers big on views and varied terrain. For a slightly shorter, moderate option that still offers iconic sights, the LOVE Sculpture, Love Park – Rocky Statue loop from Race-Vine is a fantastic choice at 14.4 miles (23.2 km). With nearly 100 mountain bikers already exploring Westville's varied terrain using komoot, you're in good company. Dive in and discover your next favorite ride!
Trail | Distance | Elevation | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teedyuscung Statue – Wissahickon Creek Waterfall loop from Penn Medicine | 49.1 km | 560 m | Hard |
| View of Boathouse Row – Falls Bridge loop from Ellsworth-Federal | 36.0 km | 280 m | Moderate |
| Wissahickon Creek Waterfall – Teedyuscung Statue loop from 15th-16th & Locust | 62.8 km | 530 m | Hard |
49.1km
03:39
560m
560m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
View route
36.0km
02:27
280m
280m
The View of Boathouse Row – Falls Bridge loop offers a delightful mountain biking experience along the Schuylkill River, showcasing some of Philadelphia's most iconic scenery. You'll cruise past the charming Victorian boathouses of Boathouse Row and enjoy expansive river views from the historic Falls Bridge. The trail's mostly paved surface, with some crushed stone sections, makes it a comfortable ride, especially if you're on a mountain bike. This route is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the city's natural beauty and history.
Starting from the Ellsworth-Federal area, you'll easily connect to the Schuylkill River Trail. For the best experience, consider riding on weekends between April and October, when Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is often closed to cars, giving cyclists free rein of the road. This makes for a much more relaxed and enjoyable outing, perfect for families or anyone looking for a peaceful ride. Parking is generally available in the vicinity, but checking local conditions is always a good idea.
This moderate 22.4-mile (36.1 km) mountain biking loop, with a gentle 916 feet (279 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes around 2 hours and 27 minutes to complete. It's an ideal choice for those seeking a rewarding ride without extreme physical demands. The trail is part of the larger Schuylkill River Trail, which was once named the "Best Urban Trail in America," highlighting its quality and scenic value.
View route
62.8km
04:07
530m
530m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
View route
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The Falls Bridge is a 556-foot steel bridge that crosses the Schuylkill River through Fairmount Park. It was built in 1894.
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Wissahickon Creek flows over an old man-made stone shelf to create a wide waterfall that you can walk out towards on slabs of stone that rise up from the riverbed.
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The Mercury Pavilion offers a sweet view of the Schuylkill River down below. You can even spot the Fairmount Dam from this particular pavilion, which is actually one of three such structures on this part of the walkway.
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This rocky outcropping in Wissahickon Valley Park is said to have been the site of a Romeo & Juliet type ending for a Native American couple whose disputing tribes forbade them the marriage they desired.
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Lincoln Drive Trail runs parallel to Lincoln Drive with the Wissahickon Creek on the other side. This is a really pretty piece of paved trails with multiple bridges across the water.
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Built in the 1880s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Turtle Rock Light is a famous lighthouse on the Schuylkill River. It's a beautiful piece of architecture that can be viewed from both sides of the river.
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Wissahickon Valley Creek is a short but beautiful river and its 23 mile length gives a stunning variety of topography. For the last few miles of its length it runs through a gorge which has been incorporated into a lush 1,800-acre park.
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There are at least 3 mountain bike trails documented around Westville on komoot, offering a mix of moderate and difficult terrain through river valleys and urban green spaces.
While most trails around Westville are rated as difficult, there is a moderate option available. The Mercury Pavilion – View of Boathouse Row loop from Ellsworth-Federal is a 24.6-mile path that provides scenic views and is suitable for those with some mountain biking experience.
Advanced mountain bikers will find challenging terrain around Westville, particularly along Wissahickon Creek. Trails like the Wissahickon Creek Viewpoint – Wissahickon Creek Waterfall loop from Penn Medicine (30.1 miles with over 500m elevation gain) and the Wissahickon Creek Waterfall – Wissahickon Creek Viewpoint loop from 15th-16th & Locust (39.0 miles) offer significant climbs and technical sections.
Yes, all the featured mountain bike trails around Westville are loop routes. This includes the challenging Wissahickon Creek Viewpoint – Wissahickon Creek Waterfall loop from Penn Medicine and the moderate Mercury Pavilion – View of Boathouse Row loop from Ellsworth-Federal, allowing you to start and finish at the same point.
The mountain bike trails around Westville are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 5.0 stars. Riders often praise the diverse terrain, which blends natural river valley landscapes with accessible urban green spaces, and the challenging climbs found on many routes.
Given the region's characteristics of river valleys and urban green spaces, spring and fall generally offer the most pleasant conditions for mountain biking in Westville, with milder temperatures and vibrant scenery. Summer can be warm and humid, while winter may bring colder temperatures and potential for icy conditions on trails.
For longer rides, consider the Wissahickon Creek Waterfall – Wissahickon Creek Viewpoint loop from 15th-16th & Locust. This trail spans 39.0 miles (62.8 km) and typically takes over 4 hours to complete, offering an extensive journey through the Wissahickon Creek valley.
The mountain bike trails around Westville are characterized by a mix of river valleys, wooded sections, and urban parkland. You'll encounter varied surfaces, from natural dirt paths to paved sections, with elevation changes that include both moderate and difficult climbs.
Yes, the Westville area is close to several notable attractions. While mountain biking, you could be near landmarks such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps (Rocky Steps), the Rocky Statue, or the historic Liberty Bell. For a culinary stop, the Reading Terminal Market is also nearby.
Given the urban and parkland nature of the trails around Westville, parking is generally available at various access points, often near trailheads or within urban green spaces. It's advisable to check specific starting points for the most convenient parking options.
Absolutely. The Mercury Pavilion – View of Boathouse Row loop from Ellsworth-Federal is particularly known for its scenic views of Boathouse Row and the river. Many trails along Wissahickon Creek also provide picturesque natural landscapes.
Browse the best MTB trails in other regions.
