FAQ
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-> How we walk
-> Guidelines & Safety
-> Accessibility
-> Join our walks
Frequently asked questions
A short guide to the Walk, the perimeter, and the many ways to participate.
About the Walk & the perimeter
What is this project, really?
Walk Around Philadelphia is a participatory project that invites people to experience the city by walking its edges. It brings neighbors together through facilitated group walks, self-guided options, and related programs that explore the city from its margins rather than its center.
Walk Around Philadelphia is also a growing organization devoted to promoting this unique experience of the city and making it accessible to all.
-> What is the Walk
-> Why we walk
-> History & Roadmap
Yes — but not all at once. You can start with just one part!
We offer two cycles of walks (every February & September) that circumnavigate the entire city over the course of twelve days spread over four long weekends.
During the rest of the year we offer other shorter walks and pop-up events around the city’s edge.
Some walkers complete the entire circumnavigation during one season, but most piece it together in segments over several years.
Many then come back to revisit segments with us and see what has changed. (It is always changing…)
The legal boundary of Philadelphia’s current city limits measures roughly 75 miles, based on GIS analysis. That precise border, however, isn’t directly walkable: it runs down the middle of rivers, across airport runways and through people’s homes.
As a result, the paths taken by our walkers—following the city’s edge as closely and safely as possible— total over 100 miles… and sometimes up to 120 miles depending on terrain, access, and choices made along the way.
Either way, this is far vaster than Philadelphia’s original footprint. When William Penn laid out plans for a new city on Lenape land in 1682, the boundary stretched only between the narrowest points of the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, from South Street to Vine Street. It wasn’t until 1854, when the city consolidated with the surrounding county, that Philadelphia assumed its current shape.
-> How we walk
-> WIKIPEDIA: Act of Consolidation of 1854
-> HIDDEN CITY: How Philadelphia got its shape
No, there is no single official route. Walk Around Philadelphia is a practice, not a path. Walkers stay as close to the city border as possible, within reason, adapting routes based on safety, access, and group needs.
Each group of circumnavigators make their own choices about how close to hug to the city’s edge and how to navigate around obstacles, leading to rich and varied experiences along the way.
-> How we walk
No. Walks are facilitated, not guided. Facilitators help hold the container and remind us of our guidelines, but navigation and decision-making are shared among participants.
Each person brings their own experience and knowledge, which means the Walk often becomes many walks in one. In a single day it might feel like a bird walk, a history lesson, a conversation about infrastructure, an interfaith exchange, or a casual chat about sports. Experts may appear and join us along the way, but we prioritize the collective knowledge of the group rather than a single authoritative voice.
-> How we walk
Walking the perimeter offers a different perspective on Philadelphia — one that reveals overlooked landscapes, infrastructure, waterways, and the boundaries that quietly shape everyday life.
Walking the edge invites reflection on borders and boundaries: who drew these lines, how they are enforced or ignored, and what impacts they have on movement, access, and belonging. While cities are often understood through their central commercial cores or historic districts, exploring their outer margins reveals a fuller and more complex picture of what the city holds.
Walking these boundaries together also opens the possibility of using a border — something that often divides — as a way to create shared experience, connection, and curiosity across difference.
-> Why we walk
Most people complete their first full loop over several years. Many begin with a single segment and return when time and capacity allow.
Our long walk segments are typically around 10 miles and take approximately 5–7 hours to walk, plus transit time to and from the start and finish — making each segment an all-day commitment. Completing all twelve long segments adds up to a full circumnavigation of the city.
The first Walk Around Philadelphia in 2016 was completed in 5½ days over the course of one week, but those were long days. The first high school students to complete the entire circumnavigation split it in into 14 segments over several months. DIY walkers set their own pace.
The Walk is less about charging forward than it is about taking our time in exploring the edges.
-> History & Roadmap
-> DIY / self-guided option
-> Circumnavigators
Participating in a Walk
What will a walk day be like for me?
Not at all. You can join for a single segment or partial segment, or simply explore on your own and come back and tell us all about it.
-> Discussion forums
We strongly recommend using public transit. SEPTA stations ring much of the city’s edge, and start times are coordinated with transit schedules whenever possible.
Participants can also use our discussion forums to coordinate ride-sharing or traveling together. Along the walk, transit plans often continue to evolve — someone may be getting picked up by a spouse and offer a ride, or a small group may decide to share a rideshare car. Everyone’s logistics are a little different, and it consistently works out through communication and flexibility.
-> Rideshare forum
Yes. Participants are always welcome to walk part of a day or leave early if needed.
There are many transit options near the perimeter and we can help consult on off-ramp strategies through our virtual & in-person info sessions & planning events.
Being on time for the start orientation is important however – participants cannot join us midway.
Unless specifically listed as a slower walk, we generally aim for a pace of 2 to 2.5 miles per hour.
Walks move at a shared, adaptable pace, with regular breaks. The goal is collective movement, not speed.
No experience is required. Curiosity, flexibility, and a willingness to participate thoughtfully are more important than skill or expertise.
If you are looking for shorter and more frequent opportunities to practice walking in community in preparation for our walks however, we’ll gladly refer you to our pals at WeWalkPHL who organize neighborhood walking groups across the city.
That’s fine.
The perimeter is big enough to hold all of your feelings, and all ways of being are welcome into this experience. You don’t need to put on a fake smile for the sake of your fellow walkers; come as you are.
Walking can be a helpful way to process challenging emotions, and you might feel a bit better by the end of the day.
One of our perimeter walkers has a tattoo that reads “solvitur ambulando” – Latin for “It is solved by walking”
Yes. Many people join with friends, partners, family members, or colleagues. Others use the Walk as a way to deepen relationships with collaborators or teammates.
Each participant should register individually so we can manage group sizes and support the experience for everyone.
For larger groups, we offer facilitated experiences for private groups, as well as retreat experiences designed for students or employees.
Prefer to come solo? Many participants do — and group walks are also a great way to meet new people and expand your network
-> Private group experiences
-> for Educators
-> for Organizations
-> Custom walks & retreats
Kids are welcome; dogs are not permitted on group walks.
Youth must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We generally recommend the experience for ages 13 and up, though some younger participants (including 9-year-olds) have joined successfully. Our youngest full circumnavigator completed the entire perimeter at age 11.
Ultimately, we leave it to caregivers to decide if a child is ready. If you would feel comfortable taking them on a multi-hour hike or walking for several hours through another city — including navigating traffic and unfamiliar terrain — they’re likely a good fit.
As for dogs, while we love them, we’re not able to include them on group walks due to safety, access, and logistical considerations. That said, many participants discover places along the route they later return to with their pups.
Safety, Preparation & Logistics
How do I prepare, and how is safety handled?
Walking the perimeter involves real-world conditions and some areas along the city’s edge are definitely not designed for pedestrians.
Safety is a shared responsibility, and walkers adapt route choices to prioritize each group’s needs and safety concerns.
A minimum group size of 4 is recommended for all walkers setting out to explore on their own.
-> Guidelines & Safety
Comfortable footwear, water, food, weather-appropriate clothing, and basic navigation tools are recommended. Be prepared for eventualities without overburdening yourself.
-> Packing list
In general, we walk in all kinds of weather. We only cancel walks in rare, truly dangerous conditions — such as hurricanes, blizzards, or other life-threatening situations.
While challenging forecasts can lead to higher cancellation rates, those who do set out often find that the weather becomes part of what makes the day memorable — not despite it, but because of it. Some of the Walk’s most distinctive moments have been weather-shaped: Graffiti Pier shrouded in fog, Tacony Creek Park filled with crystalline ice formations, or thousands of snails emerging during a warm rain along the upper Delaware.
Preparation matters. Hot days require extra water, and colder or wetter conditions call for appropriate layers and gear. Contributions to our stipend fund help ensure that fellow walkers can access needed items like base layers, windproof hats and gloves.
-> Packing list
-> Support a fellow walker
Bathrooms can be scarce or unpredictable along the perimeter. The Where2Go bathroom-finder app might be helpful. Pack a small roll of toilet paper, just in case.
If you haven’t yet tried it, the internet has answers to the question “how to poop in the woods?”
(The small inconveniences we might encounter in a day’s walk can be a helpful reminder of the burdens borne by our most vulnerable neighbors for whom access to public restrooms is rare and for whom tending to basic biological needs in public is often criminalized.)
Anyone can speak up, call a pause, or suggest an alternate route. Choosing safety is always the right decision.
-> Guidelines & Safety
Yes. Participants are asked to acknowledge risk and take responsibility for their participation in the Walk.
In plain English, our waiver basically states that:
- You participate at your own risk and will not sue us.
- You consent to appearing in documentation of the Walk
- You give us permission to use any of your own documentation that you choose to share with us.
Accessibility & Different Ways to Participate
Is this possible for me?
Many people participate by walking partial segments, joining shorter walks, or engaging through non-walking events.
-> Accessibility
Accessibility is an ongoing practice. We encourage reviewing details and reaching out with questions or needs.
-> Accessibility
That’s very common. Few people are able to commit to a full cycle all at once. Most participants start with a single segment or even a partial segment, and return when time and capacity allow. Many people complete their first full loop over several years.
If finances are a barrier, we encourage you to inquire about stipend support. In addition to free registration, we may be able to offer a $200 gift card to help offset time away from work.
For those with especially full schedules, we also invite you to think of the Walk not as one more thing to add, but as a way to support something you already want to do — such as deepening a relationship with a family member, colleague, or collaborator. Walking together can create rare space for connection, conversation, and shared experience.
-> Stipend support
-> Pay it forward: contribute to the stipend fund
Yes – There are so many ways to participate in the Walk!
You can:
- explore the perimeter on your own through the DIY option
- attend virtual or in-person events and gatherings
- take part in discussion forums and shared reflections
- volunteer as a Trail Angel or support role
- make a contribution to support the work
- help spread the word to community members, educators, journalists, potential funders, and partners
Some people begin on their own and later join a group walk; others stay engaged through events, conversations, or support roles. All of these are meaningful ways to be part of the Walk.
-> On your own (DIY)
-> Gatherings & Celebrations
-> Volunteer
-> Contribute
Yes. We’re developing more medium and short walks, as well as events near the city’s edge that don’t require walking.
-> Accessibility
-> Gatherings & Celebrations
-> All Events
We have piloted Spanish- and French-language programs and are working to expand language access. Support may also be available through multilingual walkers.
If you know someone who would enjoy the Walk but for whom language is a barrier, please work with us to help make this experience accessible to them.
-> Accessibility
Community, Support & Staying Involved
How do I stay connected or help?
Trail Angels are folks who scheme with us to intercept a group of walkers with surprise snacks and beverages. This is a great role for someone with a penchant for hospitality and a bit of flexible time. Make sure to check the “Trail Angel” box on the volunteer interest form.
If you live or work on or near the city’s edge, you could also be one of those Angels who helps provide bathroom access along the way or offers a special escort through an otherwise restricted area. We’d love to partner with you!
-> Volunteer
-> Partnerships
Walk Around Philadelphia is growing into an experience that connects people from across the region — and support from our community makes that possible.
Financial contributions are currently our greatest need as we build capacity in this next phase of the project. Your support helps us:
- expand outreach so participants reflect the full diversity of the city
- provide stipends for walkers facing financial hardship
- strengthen staff, training, and program infrastructure
Donations made through our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
You can also support the Walk by volunteering or helping spread the word — connecting us with potential walkers, partners, funders, journalists, and civic leaders. Every introduction helps this project reach more people.
-> Donate
-> Volunteer
-> History & Roadmap
Yes! In addition to stylish (and highly visible for safety) red Walk t-shirts, we have patches and our Philly Love heart-shaped pins that feature the perimeter. You can get these at some of our in-person events. Keep an eye out for an online store with more options coming soon.
The exclusive circumnavigator pins cannot be purchased however – they are awarded at our year-end celebration & Circumnavigator Awards to folks who have completed their entire first pass around the city’s edge.
The best way to keep in the loop is to join our email list, and make sure that emails from jj@walkaroundphiladelphia.org and walk@walkaroundphiladelphia.org aren’t getting flagged by your mail filters.
You can also bookmark our events page for upcoming walks & other special invites.
-> Signup
-> Events
