Group run schedule
When to Show Up
Thursdayevenings usually around 6:00 pmSaturdaymornings at Valley Green (time varies)
TrailFree
Wissahickon Wanderers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wissahickon Wanderers is a free trail running club in Northwest Philadelphia that meets at Valley Green Inn in Wissahickon Valley Park for Thursday evening and Saturday morning group runs. The club organizes several trail race series throughout the year and welcomes runners of all ability levels.
About This Club
Wissahickon Wanderers is a free trail running club based out of Valley Green Inn in Wissahickon Valley Park, meeting every Thursday evening and Saturday morning.
They run the actual singletrack in the Wissahickon, not paved paths, so if you have been looking for a group that actually gets into the woods, this is that group. They say they welcome runners of all ability levels, and there is no membership to sign up for and nothing to pay.
Highlights
- Organized trail race series (Spring/Fall)
- Wissahickon Trail Classic
- Solstice Run
- Occasional track workouts and hill training
Who It Suits
This club suits you if you want to run actual trails with elevation rather than flat park loops, and if Thursday evenings or Saturday mornings fit your schedule. If you are a road runner only and have no interest in uneven footing and short steep hills, this particular group will feel like a hard day every time out.
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What a Run With Them Is Like
Thursday runs are roughly 4 to 5 miles and kick off around 6:00 pm, which means you are back in time for the post-run gathering at the Valley Green Inn bar.
Saturday mornings also meet at Valley Green, but the distance and pace shift around, so check their Facebook page before you go so you know what you are walking into. The terrain is rugged, hilly singletrack with short steep climbs, the kind of ground that will humble road runners and reward people who like using their whole body to run.
Distance4-5 miles Thursday evening, Pace and distance varies Saturday morning
PaceAll runners welcome; pace varies and club is open to runners of all ability levels
TerrainTrails in Wissahickon Valley Park, Rugged, hilly singletrack with short steep hills
Post-runThursday nights after the weekly trail workout, members meet at the Valley Green Inn bar for food, drinks, and conversation
Your First Run
Show up at Valley Green Inn in Wissahickon Valley Park, which sits right inside the park off Forbidden Drive. Before your first visit, check their Facebook page to confirm the run is happening and to get the exact Saturday start time, since it moves with daylight saving.
Nobody expects you to be fast on trail, especially on hills like these, and a club that runs rugged singletrack together is not one where stragglers get left to figure it out alone. Thursday nights have a built-in reason to stick around after, since the group heads into the Valley Green Inn bar for food and drinks, which takes a lot of the awkwardness out of showing up solo.
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Common Questions About Wissahickon Wanderers
Do I have to pay anything or sign up to run with them?
Nothing. No dues, no membership, no registration. Just show up at Valley Green Inn.
What if I am slow on hills? Will I get dropped?
They say they are open to all ability levels, and this is not a group chasing PRs on a track. That said, the terrain is genuinely hilly and rugged, so expect to work for it regardless of your fitness level.
How do I know if the run is actually happening this week?
Check their Facebook page before heading out. They use it to confirm attendance and to post Saturday start times, which change with daylight saving.
Is Thursday the better day to start if I don't know anyone?
Thursday has a clear structure going for it: the run is about 4 to 5 miles, starts around 6:00 pm, and the group goes to the Valley Green Inn bar afterward. Having a post-run plan makes it easier to actually talk to people.
Do they put on any races, or is it just group runs?
They organize a trail race series in spring and fall, including the Wissahickon Trail Classic and the Solstice Run. They also add track workouts and hill training at various points through the year.
Where this comes from: Club details come from each club’s own channels (their site, Meetup, Strava and social posts) and are checked by hand. Group runs move, so confirm the meeting spot on the club’s latest post before you head out. Last updated July 2026.