Authored By: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy | April 21, 2021

Spring has sprung, and it’s time to get outside! This Saturday, April 24, is Celebrate Trails Day, an annual celebration of America’s amazing trails that’s organized by our friends at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC).

With the Circuit Trails network featuring more than 350 miles of completed trails in Greater Philadelphia and South New Jersey region, we have plenty to celebrate and participating is simple. First, RSVP to let us know we can count you in—you’ll be entered to win an RTC T-shirt and join thousands of other people in helping to show that you value your local trails. Then, on Saturday, get outside on a trail near you and share how you #CelebrateTrails #OnTheCircuit!

Need some suggestions for how to celebrate? We’ve got you covered! Check out how you can celebrate on and alongside the Circuit Trails in a fun and safe way.

Break Out Your Bike

Take your wheels out for a spin. In addition to beautiful landscapes, the trails are also home to one-of-a-kind art. Take a trip to see the many murals on the Circuit including the birds on the Tacony Creek Trail and mosaics along the Manayunk Canal Towpath along the Schuylkill River Trail. Then stick around to participate in Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership Inc.’s Spring Bioblitz and Manayunk’s fun run!

Walk the Waterfront

Many trails on the Circuit, such as  the Ulysses Wiggins Waterfront Park Promenade and the Delaware River Trail, can lead you to the waterfront. Lace up your sneakers, and hit the trails to seek serenity by the water.

Go Birding

Break out your binoculars and discover the beautiful creatures that live within habitats along the trails. Consider visiting the John Heinz Refuge Trails, America’s first urban wildlife refuge, which includes more than 10 miles of trails and is home or a stopover for more than 300 species of birds. Even better for your explorations, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum will be hosting a scavenger hunt on Celebrate Trails Day!

Stroll with a Story

Thanks to our friends at Swim Pony and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, some of the trails #OnTheCircuit have their own narrated stories. TrailOff is an audio storytelling experience, narrated by 10 local authors, inspired by their experience walking on Circuit Trails, that challenge expectations about whose voices gets to define the environment. Find all the stories inspired by trails like the Chester Valley Trail, the Perkiomen Trail, the Cooper River Trail and more here.

Run Your Own Race

With the absence of formal competitive races, try mapping a trail route to fit your preferred distance, be it 1 mile, 5k, 10k or more. Trails on the Circuit can be as short as half a mile and as long as 60 miles. If you want to go the distance, check out the 69-mile long Delaware and Raritan Canal Trail.

Enjoy Time in Nature

The healing benefits of nature are well documented. For example, “forest bathing” is linked to myriad health benefits including decreased anxiety, depression and fatigue. You don’t need to head into the forest to reap the benefits, you can access nature and green oases along the trails on the Circuit in your neighborhood. The Lawrence Hopewell Trail is a great oasis to give forest bathing try.

Just Get Outside

Simply get outside this weekend! No matter where you go, spend some time in nature.

Before you head out for the trail, learn more about how you can help make trails safe and fun for everyone by practicing good trail etiquette and by recreating responsibly. Learn how by checking out the #ShareTheTrail tips and #RecreateResponsibly guidelines.

So, get out there and start exploring! You can find more trails #OnTheCircuit near you here. And when you do, be sure to take pictures and tag us when you post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Happy trailing!