Hiking Through Meadows

A bee gathers pollen on native goldenrod in a meadow.

Meadows are probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about hiking in urban spaces. But the Philadelphia area has some really great trails for hiking through meadows.  

Meadows are wide, open green spaces where native grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs can grow wild. They are amazing places to hike any time of year, but particularly in the summer when the wildflowers put on a show.

The environmental benefits of meadows are numerous. Meadows are giant basins of water, helping to clean water and prevent flooding. Think about all those roots underground that can hold water!

Meadows also support biodiversity. Monocultures, or areas where there’s only one kind of plant growing (think grass) don’t support anywhere near the amount of wildlife in a meadow. On your visit to a meadow you’ll see countless different kinds of plants, insects, and animals. If you are a lover of butterflies, meadows are a prime place to spot these beloved insects feeding and flitting about. Bird nerds, too, will love the variety of birds that call meadows home.

Summer hiking in meadows can be downright hot, though, because there’s very little shade from trees. If you want to take a meadow hike, I recommend going early in the morning or after the sun has gone done. Wear long pants to keep ticks away. Bring lots of water and take frequent sips on hot days.

My hiking book, 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Philadelphia, features several hikes that visit meadows including: Andorra Natural Area, Houston Meadow (part of the Upper Wissahickon Valley Park trail system), Green Lane Park, and Binky Lee Preserve.

Personally, I love meadow hiking in the autumn and winter when the plants are getting ready for seasonal slumber. But meadows are a gem to visit anytime!