Wissahickon Valley Park Forbidden Drive

Forbidden Drive earned its name when automobiles were banned from this 19th-century carriage road that winds 5.5 miles through the Wissahickon Gorge. The gravel path follows Wissahickon Creek from Northwestern Avenue to Ridge Avenue, passing stone bridges built by German stonemasons and the ruins of colonial-era mills. Valley Green Inn marks the halfway point where horses once watered and carriages rested before tackling the steeper northern section through Devil’s Pool.

Easy grade suitable for any high-clearance vehicle, though the surface can get rutted after heavy rain. Best driven during fall foliage or early morning to avoid cyclists and joggers who share the route. No permits required, but parking fills fast on weekends. The drive offers city dwellers a rare chance to explore old-growth forest and 19th-century engineering without leaving Philadelphia proper.