I've ridden on forbidden with my road bike a number of times. the gravel really isn't that bad bc it's so fine. There is a spot or two that's a little torn up, but it's easily avoided.

That reminds me-
one suggestion for getting out of the Wissahickon on a road bike-

Forbidden Drive is gravel to fine gravel, but there are some paved roads from Mount Airy/Chestnut Hill that have bridges and almost reach, or do reach down to Forbidden Drive.

The first bridge you'll come to is Kitchen's Lane, which leads into West Mount Airy and is roughly in line with Carpenter Lane.

Next is Valley Green Road which runs to the lower part of Chestnut Hill, it merges into West Springfield Ave.

Futher up is Rex Avenue into northern Chestnut Hill, but that's basically a dirt road for much of the distance.

Even further up is Bells Mill, but that's narrow, steep and lots of traffic.

Finally the end of Forbidden Drive is Northwestern Ave, by Bruno's and Chestnut Hill College...


Hal

I've been accessing Forbidden Drive by entering into the park at the end of W Mount Airy Avenue and then taking a rocky path which is definitely not road bike friendly down to a bridge that crosses over to Forbidden Drive. Will the Kitchen Lane entrance get me over to Forbidden Drive without tearing up road bike tires?

There's one steep rocky part going down to the bridge going over to Forbidden Drive. It's short though and if you feel like carrying your bike it's a quick way to access Forbidden Drive. Kitchen's Lane is paved with parking until that short rocky downhill part starts.

Not sure about that entrance, but the Valley Green entrance is road-bike friendly. That's a little further up the trail, though, and I'm not sure how far out of the way it is for you.

The Valley Green entrance is less than ideal. If there is a road bike accessible entrance from Mt Airy, that would be great. I've been taking my hybrid clunker in via the W Mt Airy Ave entrance: a fun ride, but bumpy.

Thanks. I'll check it out.

Ah, that's one of the paths I'd omitted- primarily because it isn't a road bike route...

There are other paths/old roads down to Forbidden Drive - such as the Covered Bridge/Thomas Mill/Chestnut Hill Ave, but it's really a mountain bike trail- also gets dark at night...

The Rex avenue route is also dirt, but not quite so steep, so it's not as challenging as some of the others.

Kitchen's Lane can be really rought, but only for a short stretch, so it's doable...
Eh, probably, but to avoid wobbly rims, you'll have to go slow, or just walk down.

There is another option, heading down Wissahickon Ave, bear right before the bridge/Lincoln Drive at the gate into Rittenhousetown, along a gravel way and then right onto the paved path along Monoshone down to 10 Box/end of Forbidden Drive,
where you can pickup the "Fairmount Park Bikeway" which runs
parallel to Lincoln.

Unfortunately, if the gate is closed, you have to cross the bridge, cross Lincoln and go to Rittenouse and circle around the little park to enter the sidewalk along Lincoln.


Hal

The Kitchen Lane access is much easier than W. Mt. Airy Ave.! The rocky portion only takes a few seconds to walk with the bike.

Thanks Hal and Diana3. I'll definitely give the Kitchen Lane entrance a try.