A vibrant mural depicting a river scene is framed by blooming cherry blossom trees and an arched bridge in the background.

Explore Manayunk, PA

ALL TRAILS LEAD TO MANAYUNK

Manayunk lies along the flowing Schuylkill River and just behind Main Street sits the historic Manayunk Canal and Towpath. We seek to connect our community to the river through planning, programming and projects. Whether it be kayaking the Schuylkill River or catching a fish in the canal, we have something for everyone. You can head north to Schuylkill County on the Schuylkill River Trail, or you can travel south to Center City Philadelphia on Kelly Drive. No matter which direction you head, Manayunk is a perfect hub for recreation. Join us along the river to bike, paddle, discover and explore.

Colorful mural depicting two cyclists against playful, vibrant patterns and words like "TRAILS" and "DINE."

Bike

Cycling is a huge part of the Manayunk culture, and it's not uncommon to see cyclists riding down Main Street all throughout the year. Because of its central location along the Schuylkill River Trail, Manayunk is an ideal spot for cyclists to make a pit stop to eat, rest, or get a tune-up.

City skyline reflecting on a river under a clear blue sky.

PADDLE

Kayaking

Hidden River Outfitters offers kayaking tours along the Schuylkill River departing from the Manayunk Brewing Company. They offer group kayaking trips, kayak rentals and paddle board lessons.

Canoeing

The Philadelphia Canoe Club is a dedicated group of canoeists and kayakers headquartered along the Schuylkill River. They offer courses in both canoeing and kayaking for all skill levels.

Dragon Boating

Dragon Boat USA calls Manayunk and the Schuylkill River their training ground and offers visitors the experience of riding in a traditional dragon boat. They also offer team-building programs for community groups and corporate companies.

A group of people stands on a sidewalk near a colorful mural, with one woman speaking animatedly.

Discover

As you make your way along the Schuylkill River Trail, you’ll be sure to see an array of wildlife. The trail is home to many different species of birds, fish and turtles as well as native and invasive plants. Fishermen and birders can often be seen along the river, and if you’re a visitor, we invite you to discover all that the trail has to offer.

Birding

Regional birds and geese are often see by site seers along the Manayunk Canal and Towpath. Bring your binoculars to see these animals in action.

Fishing

Fishing is a common practice in both the Manayunk Canal and Schuylkill River. The river is home to catfish, perch, shad, bass and mary varieties of sunfish, trout, pickerel, walleye and more, while the canal houses sunfish, largemouth bass and carp which are great for family friendly fishing.

Public Art

Along the Schuylkill River Trail, you’ll also find public art on display in the form of murals and sculpture, which reflect the local history and culture while celebrating the natural environment of the river.

Map of the Schuylkill River Trail in Philadelphia, detailing trails, access points, and surrounding streets.

Explore the Schuylkill River Trail

Whether you walk, run, hike, bike or just love the outdoors, there are many ways to explore the Schuylkill River Trail.

Download full trail map (on the left)

The Manayunk Canal Towpath

The Manayunk Canal Towpath is just one section of the larger Schuylkill River Trail beginning at Lock Street, running behind Main Street through Manayunk, and ending in the Shawmont neighborhood. It’s approximately 2 miles of a mixed trail of boardwalk and compacted gravel that is best suited for walking, jogging, off-road biking and nature exploration. The Towpath runs adjacent to the Manayunk business district progressing into a more scenic wooded trail in Shawmont, which leads to a juncture with the Montgomery County section of the Schuylkill River Trail that runs all the way to Valley Forge. Hop onto Main Street from the other end of the Towpath and continue down to the intersection of Kelly Drive and you’ll find yourself on the Fairmount Park Trail, which runs along Kelly Drive and leads all the way down to Boathouse Row and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Along the Towpath, visitors will find historical signage about the industrial heritage of Manayunk and its rich canal history. Rail lines, old canal locks, ruins of the locktender's house and sluice house and old textile mills can all be seen along the trail. Traveling along the Manayunk Towpath is one of the best ways to learn about the neighborhood’s past, experience its present, and envision the future of Manayunk’s “back door.”

Manayunk Bridge Trail

The Manayunk Bridge Trail, recently opened in 2016, is a trail that stretches across the iconic Manayunk bridge connecting Manayunk to Bala Cynwyd and the Cynwyd Heritage Trail. The trail entrance on the Manayunk side sits on Dupont Street and includes a free public parking lot for all trail access. Follow the map below to find your way to the Manayunk Bridge Trail entrance from Main Street.

The Circuit

The Circuit is a network of over 250 miles of walking and biking trails in the Greater Philadelphia Region which includes the Manayunk section of the Schuylkill River Trail. Set out on the trail in Manayunk and follow The Circuit map below to see where the trail can lead you. Learn more here!

Wissahickon Valley Park

The Wissahickon Valley Park includes 1,800 acres of Philadelphia’s park system which is one of the largest urban park systems in the country. Although the park isn’t in Manayunk, one of the many gateways to the park rests just at the east end of Main Street at the intersection of Kelly Drive and Ridge Avenue, making it a common attraction for Manayunk residents and visitors alike. Take a walk or hike along the infamous Forbidden Drive and head back to Manayunk for lunch afterward.

Universities in the area

A scenic visitors map of Manayunk highlighting various businesses, dining, shopping, and recreational options alongside a bridge and waterfront pathway.

Download Full Manayunk Map

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