John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is a significant urban refuge in Philadelphia, recognized as "America's First Urban Refuge." This expansive area encompasses diverse habitats, including freshwater tidal marsh, woodlands, meadows, and riparian forests, offering a unique natural setting within an urban environment. These varied landscapes provide opportunities for several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, road cycling, and more. The refuge's extensive trail system makes it suitable for various outdoor pursuits.
62
Routes
4.7
(32)
Average rating
499
People visited

5.0
(1)
47
hikers
5.59km
01:25
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
7
hikers
9.05km
02:27
110m
140m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
1
hikers
4.28km
01:10
60m
70m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
1.25km
00:19
0m
0m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(1)
9
riders
75.2km
03:32
610m
610m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

12
riders
26.2km
01:15
300m
300m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

13
riders
36.1km
01:45
460m
460m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

9
riders
60.5km
02:55
770m
770m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(1)
56
riders
49.1km
03:39
560m
560m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5.0
(2)
25
riders
36.0km
02:27
280m
280m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(2)
12
riders
26.0km
01:53
200m
200m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4
riders
23.3km
01:51
290m
290m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.8
(4)
37
riders
48.3km
03:04
510m
510m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(6)
9
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
5
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
16.5km
00:58
30m
30m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

16
runners
15.3km
01:48
20m
20m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
runners
10.3km
01:04
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(5)
5
runners
4.90km
00:31
50m
50m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
5.93km
00:40
10m
10m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Jogging, Touring cycling, Road cycling, and Mountain biking. The refuge features over 10 miles of trails suitable for these sports. Visitors have rated routes in the refuge an average of 4.64 out of 5 stars.
The refuge features over 10 miles of trails, including both paved and gravel surfaces. There are 9 routes available across various sports on komoot. These trails are suitable for walking, jogging, and cycling.
Yes, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge offers several hiking trails. These include the 3.5-mile (5.6 km) Wetland Loop and the less than 1-mile (1.6 km) Big Boardwalk Loop. More information can be found in the Hiking in John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge guide.
Yes, the refuge provides routes for touring cycling and road cycling. The trails are part of the East Coast Greenway, offering extensive options for cyclists. Details on cycling routes are available in the Cycling in John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge guide.
Yes, the refuge has trails suitable for jogging. The extensive trail system, including paved and gravel surfaces, accommodates runners. Explore options in the Running Trails in John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge guide.
The refuge offers trails suitable for families, including the Big Boardwalk Loop which is less than 1 mile (1.6 km) and wheelchair accessible. Many trails are relatively flat and easy, making them suitable for all ages. Consult the Family-friendly hikes in John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge guide for specific recommendations.
Yes, the refuge features accessible trails. The Big Boardwalk Loop is less than 1 mile (1.6 km) long and is wheelchair accessible. This trail provides an opportunity to experience the refuge's natural environment.
The refuge is a haven for wildlife, with over 300 species of birds recorded, and more than 80 species nesting there. Visitors can spot migratory birds, bald eagles, and endangered red-bellied turtles. The diverse habitats also support various mammals, insects, and rare plants.
Information regarding dog policies at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is typically available on the official refuge website. Visitors should check current regulations before bringing pets. Generally, dogs are permitted on leash in designated areas.
A popular option is the 3.5-mile (5.6 km) Wetland Loop, which offers opportunities for wildlife observation, walking, and biking. The less than 1-mile (1.6 km) Big Boardwalk Loop is also popular for its accessibility and wildlife viewing. These trails traverse various habitats within the refuge.
Komoot offers several guides for the refuge, including Hiking in John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Running Trails in John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, and Cycling in John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Additional guides cover family-friendly hikes, easy hikes, city hikes, road cycling, traffic-free bike rides, and MTB trails.
The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge can be contacted by phone. The official phone number for the refuge is +1 215-365-3118. This number can be used for general inquiries or specific questions about the refuge.
The official website for the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum is provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The website address is fws.gov/refuge/john-heinz-tinicum. This site offers comprehensive information about the refuge, its activities, and regulations.

