A Look Into Moments Made and Memories Shared on 500 Miles of Circuit Trails
Authored By: The Circuit Trails | September 1, 2026
Are trails your happy place? If so, you’re in good company.
Over the past year, hundreds of people from across Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey shared their favorite Circuit Trails moments, showing us that trails are places to find peace, spend quality time with loved ones, discover new adventures and make memories that last a lifetime.
The stories were collected as part of our 500 Miles, 500 Moments campaign, celebrating a major milestone for the Circuit Trails network: reaching more than 500 miles of completed and in-progress trails. But while the campaign recognizes a milestone in trail development, the moments themselves celebrate something even bigger—the people and experiences that bring the network to life.
We’ve read stories about people who turned to the trails while recovering from cancer, couples who went from first dates on the trail to marriage proposals, and families making weekend walks a cherished tradition. We’ve heard tales of quick bike rides, long walks, community gatherings and even one trail user who somehow managed to enjoy a steak dinner while riding the Schuylkill River Trail. Don’t believe us? The proof is in the…potatoes?
Photo by Jack Larson
Every story is unique, but one theme emerged again and again: trails bring people together. In fact, more than half of the moments shared—54.5%—featured people connecting with family, friends, neighbors or someone they met along the trail.
That finding is especially meaningful because social connection, along with physical activity, is important to our health and well-being. Trails create opportunities for both, offering welcoming spaces where people can walk, bike, run and spend meaningful time together while enjoying the outdoors.
For some, the Circuit Trails are part of a daily commute to work or school. For others, they’re a destination for exercise, a place to reconnect with nature, or simply somewhere to slow down and enjoy the company of the people around them.
As the Circuit Trails network continues to grow, so will the opportunities to create moments like these. The stories we’ve received so far remind us that while every trail experience is different, they’re all connected by a shared appreciation for the places, people and memories that make the Circuit Trails so special.
Explore a few of the submitted moments below and consider sharing some of your own through this form.
“I used to commute along the Delaware River Trail to get to work. I would usually see the same woman wearing a Phillies jacket biking the opposite way as me every morning. It was so fun to see a dependable stranger and cross paths with her multiple days a week.”
Hannah Kahler | Philadelphia, PA
“I regularly ride the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, including its route through Mercer Meadows, a county park. On a recent ride, I stopped and talked to a man whose bike was pulling a carriage. Seated in the carriage was his 12-year old autistic son. The father explained that going for a ride on the LHT and surrounding trails was his son’s favorite activity; it calms him and stimulates at the same time. ‘I’m blessed to live right next to this wonderful place,’ the father said.”
Alan Hershey | Pennington, NJ
“I’ve been biking to work on the Chester Valley Trail from Exton to Malvern (2010-2015), when I was working at Vanguard, and from Exton to King of Prussia (2022 to today), when my current employer Eigen X moved to King of Prussia. I am fortunate that both companies are on the trail.”
Bill Apostolacus | Coatesville, PA
“Reconnecting with my roots and childhood memories. Three generations walked across the bridge–my mother, my son and myself.”
Monica Brown Evans Culbreath | Greenville, SC
“I remember taking my bike up the D&L and seeing all sorts of trailside cafés, farmers’ markets, restaurants, and BnBs. And some very friendly shop cats! It was such a quiet and beautiful trail punctuated by wonderful niche landmarks—hidden gems that I felt lucky to stumble across.”
Adrian Velonis | Philadelphia, PA
“Kenny had been walking to work, which was almost an hour each day. And being able to bike has saved him over an hour a day to and from work. So that’s more time with his family.”
Jacqui Baxter-Rollins | Lansdale, PA
Learn more about how Partnership For Transportation was able to help Kenny cut is commute down by taking the Liberty Bell Trail by bike.
“I watched the new Mercer County Commissioner Dan Benson announce that trails would be a top priority of his administration, and that the County would take ownership of a long-stalled pedestrian bridge project connecting across I-295 as part of the Johnson Trolley Trail.”
Corey Hannigan | New York, NY
“During Covid, I was in need of something to do outdoors. I was reminded of how great I felt back in the 2010s when I was long distance biking. And being a rock-climber, I was longing for some rocks to climb. Luckily, I had already built a relationship with the Wissahickon and resumed my long biking trips out into the woods, in search of peaceful spots and ‘boulder problems.’ There’s a wonderful ‘corner-problem’ less than a mile in from the southern Wissahickon entrance. So during a time of uncertainty, I could at least access a peaceful place and work on healthy puzzles while staying in touch with nature.”
Josh Folio | Philadelphia, PA
The Circuit Trails network is still growing, and so are the stories waiting to be told. With a vision of more than 850 connected miles—and our next milestone of 550 miles by 2030—each new trail segment creates new opportunities for adventure, connection and everyday moments that become lasting memories.
Wherever the trails take you next, we hope you’ll bring us along by sharing your experiences #OnTheCircuit.
