West Philadelphia Abandoned Railway Grade

The West Philadelphia Abandoned Railway Grade follows the ghost of the old Pennsylvania Railroad’s Belmont Branch, a forgotten line that once hauled coal and freight from the Schuylkill yards to the western suburbs. The route starts behind the Please Touch Museum in Fairmount Park and winds through a surprisingly wild corridor where nature is slowly reclaiming the infrastructure. The highlight is the approach to the collapsed Girard Avenue Bridge, where massive stone abutments frame what locals call the ‘Gates of Hell’ — a narrow, rock-strewn passage that demands precise wheel placement and steady nerves.

This is solid moderate territory requiring high-clearance 4WD and careful navigation around the old rail infrastructure. The grade is technically on park land, so keep it respectful and avoid weekend crowds when cyclists and hikers are out in force. Best tackled in fall when the leaves are down and visibility is better. No camping allowed, but the route connects to several park access roads for day-use activities. What you get is a unique blend of industrial archaeology and urban exploration, all within 10 minutes of Center City.