Roadkill Running's Guide to Philly's River Trails

Don’t forget to check out our SRT/DRT collection after you read! A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Schuylkill Banks and Delaware River Waterfront to help preserve and maintain our favorite running trails in the city.

History Highlights

The SRT overlays what was once a long network of Pennsylvania Railroad lines.

• Bartram’s Garden (Southwest Start): America's oldest botanical garden, founded in 1728 by John Bartram, a self-taught Quaker botanist. You’re literally running through living history.

• Fairmount Water Works: Opened in 1815, this Greek Revival gem was one of the nation’s earliest water treatment plants—and it helped Philadelphia earn the nickname “the healthiest city in the world” back in the 1800s!

• Boathouse Row: These 19th-century boathouses were built by elite rowing clubs and now glow at night with over 15,000 lights.

Other Trail Highlights

• Lloyd Hall: This is our famed Parks and Rec facility operated by the city of Philadelphia. Your one stop shop with a water fountain, public restroom and Cosmic Cafe. This gem is well-known for being a meeting point for run clubs, bikers, ice cream trucks and tourists. Lesser known to passersby are the basketball courts, reception hall and information center inside the facility. Need more than just a sip of water? Stop in to see Peg and the crew at Cosmic Cafe for some of our favorite lemonade (but we’re biased) or BYO Bottle to fill up with cold water provided for runners for free! As for food, Cosmic has locally sourced, organic eats right on the trail, coupled with drinks and live events at the Waterworks Cider and Beer Garden. 

• Rowhome Coffee: Mentioned in previous newsletters (can you tell we’re fans?) Rowhome is a cute, cozy, and runner-friendly post run fuel spot in Fitler Square. Try the "Jawn" breakfast sandwich. 

• Christian to Crescent Trail Section: Opened in Spring of 2025, this new section of the already beloved SRT has expanded the trail to connect even farther through the city! Some notable new additions to the SRT are mulberry trees, a cable-stay bridge and access to the southern skate park. By completing this portion of the trail, pedestrians and cyclists are able to have more miles of uninterrupted leisure time. 

THE DELAWARE RIVER TRAIL (DRT)

• Penn Treaty Park: This is where William Penn signed a peace treaty with the Lenape in 1683 under an elm tree, promising peaceful coexistence. Voltaire even called it “the only treaty never sworn to and never broken.” Despite resistance from the artist to have the statue facing South to be illuminated by the sun, the iconic William Penn statue atop City Hall faces Penn Treaty Park.

• Ben Franklin Bridge: Opened in 1926 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of American independence, this steel suspension beauty connects Philly to Camden. Runners can access a pedestrian walkway with sky-high views. It's a great out-and-back loop from Race Street Pier.

• Race Street Pier: This revamped pier was once a bustling ferry terminal in the 1800s. Now it’s a serene escape with tiered seating, native plants, and front-row views of the bridge.

• Cherry Street Pier: Formerly a shipping pier (Pier 9), now a mixed-use community art space. You might pass yoga classes, indie art shows, or even glassblowing demos post-run.

Other Trail Highlights

• Pulse Yoga & Fitness: A yoga, sculpt and pilates studio on Philly’s waterfront where we had one of our first collaboration events at (stop in for a chance to buy some of our merch)! This studio offers hot yoga for people of all experience levels and chair yoga, which is not heated. A great place to jumpstart your recovery! 

• Waterfront Cafe: Tucked in near Pulse, Waterfront cafe has many vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just an easy post-run smoothie! Try the “California” sandwich with Tuna. 

• Spruce Street Harbor Park: This park has everything you could need for the perfect summer day including free hammocks, Adirondack chairs, picnic tables and a conversation pit. Day and night food and drinks are served along the waterfront and once the sun sets there are often music events with dancing (the best kind of cross-training, am I right?) This will lead you right to Liberty Point which has three levels, five bars and seven event spaces. A little something for everyone! 

If you made it this far, it can only mean that you love running in Philly, paying homage to the history of our running routes and Roadkill as much as we do! Running in Philly means you’re moving through layers of American history—from the Revolution to the Industrial Age to today’s modern footprints.