Riverview Park

Observatory Hill via Observatory Trail

1.4 mi · ▲ 357 ft · 39 min

Observatory Hill via Observatory Trail is a 1.4-mile out-and-back in Riverview Park near Perry North, PA. The route reaches Observatory Hill at the turnaround, 0.7 miles in. It climbs 357 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi915 – 1,221 ft1.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Old Wissahickon Road 40.48600, -80.02261
Nearest town Perry North, PA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Observatory Hill via Observatory Trail

1.4 mi · ▲ 357 ft · 39 min

Elevation 917–1,221 ft

Out & Back · Riverview Park

Trailhead: Old Wissahickon Road · 40.48600, -80.02261

Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:52 AM · sunset 7:48 PM

Bikes allowed on the whole route · Transit-accessible: Perrysville Ave + Perry Academy stop 512 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Old Wissahickon Road, heading E.
  2. 0.1 miBear left, heading E.
  3. 300 ftBear right onto Wissahickon Trail, heading E.
  4. 350 ftContinue straight onto Archery Trail, heading S.
  5. 50 ftBear left onto Wissahickon Trail, heading SW.
  6. 0.3 miSharp left onto Old Barn Road, heading W.
  7. 400 ftSharp right onto Cherry Blossom Trail, heading E.
  8. 300 ftReach Observatory Hill, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 250 ftSharp left onto Old Barn Road, heading SW.
  10. 400 ftSharp right onto Wissahickon Trail, heading E.
  11. 0.3 miBear right onto Archery Trail, heading N.
  12. 50 ftContinue straight onto Wissahickon Trail, heading N.
  13. 350 ftBear left onto Old Wissahickon Road, heading NW.
  14. 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 6:52 AMSunset 7:48 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.6 mi in (~21 min). Leave by 7:07 PM for the 7:48 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Bikes allowed on the whole route
  • Transit-accessible: Perrysville Ave + Perry Academy stop 512 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Old Wissahickon Road Trailhead