FreeWheeling Easy in Western Pennsylvania
		Information on Trails Near Pittsburgh by Mary Shaw and Roy Weil

We are pleased to present selections from the book FreeWheeling Easy in Western Pennsylvania. In most cases, this includes the first paragraph of the description, the summary information, and the trail organization. For more information, order the book.

Trails In and Around the City

Three Rivers Heritage Trail

North Shore Trail
Eliza Trail

Steel Valley Trail

Montour Trail

Robinson-Moon-Findlay-North Fayette Section
Quicksilver-McDonald Section
Cecil Township Section
Arrowhead Trail
Bethel Park Spur
South Park Section

Shorter Trails and Bike Lanes

Schenley Park Trails
Beechwood Blvd. Bike Lanes
Lawrenceville Trail
Riverview Park Bike Lanes
North Park Lake Bike Lane
South Park Bike Path

Three Rivers Heritage Trails

Along Pittsburgh's riverfronts with connections into neighborhoods

Six segments are currently open: The North Shore Trail (3.4 miles), the Eliza Furnace Trail (2.5 miles), the Washington’s Landing Trail (1.4 miles), the Pittsburgh Cultural District Trail (0.5 mile), the South Side Trail (0.8 miles), and the Ft Duquesne Bridge connection through Point State Park (0.5 mile). The first two of these are popular and long enough to describe separately.

Trail Organization: Friends of the Riverfront; PO Box 42434, Pittsburgh PA 15203, (412) 488-0212. Annual membership: $10 limited income, $25 individual, $40 family

North Shore Trail

Along north side of Allegheny River in Pittsburgh.

The North Shore Trail provides a close-at-hand urban outdoor experience in the form of a continuous walking path and bicycle commuting route just across the rivers from downtown Pittsburgh. Someday the trail will connect with other trails to provide a long route along the north side of the Allegheny River from Washington’s Landing, past the stadiums, across the West End Bridge, then along the south side of the Monongahela River through Station Square to Sandcastle. At Sandcastle it will connect with other trails of the Allegheny Trail Alliance that will take you as far as Washington DC. At present, this trail runs for 3.4 miles from near Washington’s Landing to almost a mile west of the Carnegie Science Center. This trail, more than any other we finest views know, breathes with the strength and vibrancy of the city. It offers vistas up and down the rivers, one of the development on the North Side.of downtown available, and close-ups of the contrast between old industry and new

Location Along Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

Trailheads Washington's Landing, various points on North Side

Length, Surface 3.4 miles, paved and packed crushed stone

Character Sometimes busy, urban, sunny, mostly flat

Usage restrictions No motorized vehicles; no snowmobiles; no horses

Amenities Water, food, lodging, fishing

Driving time from Pittsburgh Surrounds downtown Pittsburgh

Eliza FurnaceTrail

Along north side of Monongahela River in Pittsburgh

This off-road commuter trail connecta Allegheny County’s two largest employment centers, the offices of downtown Pittsburgh and the universities and hospitals of Oakland. The trail starts at the east edge of downtown, in the parking lot near the new jail, then goes behind the jail for a clean run of over two miles to Hazelwood. It passes through a parking lot on an orphaned block of Swinburne St just west of Hazelwood, then twists around under the liver RR and turns away from the river to connect with Schenley Park and Oakland. The trail is named for the Eliza blast furnace that once produced steel where the Pittsburgh High Technology Center now reflects Pittsburgh’s industrial shift from steel to high technology. It’s often called the "Jail-Trail".

Location Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

Trailheads Downtown, Hazelwood

Length, Surface 2.4 miles developed, 6 planned; paved and packed crushed stone

Character Busy, urban, sunny, flat

Usage restrictions No motorized vehicles; no horses

Amenities Rest rooms, food, fishing

Driving time from Pittsburgh In Pittsburgh

Steel Valley Trail

Along Monongahela River in Allegheny County

The Steel Valley Trail will provide the critical link that allows smooth transition among the major Pittsburgh-area trails. It will connect with the Youghiogheny River Trail at McKeesport, with the Montour Trail at Clairton, with the Three Rivers Heritage Trail at Sandcastle, and with the Eliza Furnace Trail at the Glenwood and Hot Metal bridges.

Location Allegheny County

Trailheads McKeesport, Clairton, Sandcastle

Length, Surface 4 miles to open 1999, 12.5 miles planned; some segments along roads

Character Busy, urban, sunny, flat; some automobile traffic

Usage restrictions No motorized vehicles on off-road portions

Amenities Rest rooms, water, bike rental, food, lodging, fishing

Driving time from Pittsburgh In and adjacent to Pittsburgh

Trail Organization: Steel Valley Trail Council, Steel Industry Heritage Corporation 338 E 9th Av, 1st Floor Homestead PA 15120 (412) 464-4418 web: trfn.clpgh.org/sihc/

The Montour Trail

Coraopolis to Clairton in Allegheny and Washington Counties

The abandoned rights-of-way of the Montour RR and the Peters Creek Branch of the Pennsylvania RR make a sweeping crescent around the western and southern suburbs of Pittsburgh, dipping back and forth between Allegheny and Washington Counties. The Montour Trail system follows this route and will offer 54.5 miles of trail, including 46.5 miles of main line and 8 miles of spurs. The planned route runs from Coraopolis on the Ohio River to Clairton on the Monongahela River. From Coraopolis along Montour Run to Imperial the trail is primarily rural except for the area near the Parkway. From Imperial south and west, under US22 into Washington County south to McDonald then east to Cecil, it’s extremely rural and agricultural, with some restored strip mines and small mining towns. As it enters Peters Township and approaches US19 it becomes suburban residential until it reenters Allegheny County near South Park. From South Park to Clairton it’s again more rural.

Six sections are now open in Moon-Robinson-Findlay-North Fayette, Quicksilver-McDonald, Cecil, Arrowhead (Peters Township), the Bethel Park Spur, and South Park. Together they cover 25.9 miles. Most of the trail will be packed crushed limestone, some parts with a parallel dirt treadway for horses. Peters Township is developing the Arrowhead Trail in asphalt.

Trail organization: Montour Trail Council, PO Box 11866, Pittsburgh PA 15228-0866. (412) 257-2328 for voicemail system, (412) 831-2030 for information. Membership: $25/year individual, $35/year family

Robinson-Moon-Findlay-North Fayette Section

Along Montour Run from near Coraopolis on the Ohio River to west of Imperial in Allegheny County

The longest completed segment of the Montour Trail is the westernmost, running from mile 0 near Coraopolis to mile 11.5 west of Imperial. It follows Montour Run, beginning near the Ohio River, passing under the Parkway West to Imperial, then continuing west along South Fork Montour Run to a point near the intersection of US22 and PA980 at the Allegheny County line. It's finished in crushed limestone, 10 feet wide.

Location Along Montour Run in Robinson, Moon, Findlay and North Fayette Townships, Allegheny County

Trailheads Groveton, Montour Run Exit of Parkway, Enlow, Boggs Rd near BFI landfill

Length, Surface 11.4 miles, packed crushed stone

Character Uncrowded, rural to wooded, mixed shade and sun, flat

Usage restrictions Horses ok on grass—stay off improved surface; no motorized vehicles; no snowmobiles

Amenities Rest rooms, water, bike rental, food, lodging, fishing

Driving time from Pittsburgh 30 minutes west

Quicksilver-McDonald Section

Quicksilver to McDonald Trestle

One of the more remote stretches of the Montour Trail, this section parallels PA980 through an area of former strip mines. The road is never far away, but it is never intrusive. A creek and often some buildings separate the trail from the road, so you can concentrate on the surrounding scenery and nature's success in restoring the land.

Location Robinson Township, Washington County

Trailheads Near Quicksilver, under McDonald trestle

Length, Surface 3.0 miles, packed crushed stone

Character Little-used, rural, sunny, flat

Usage restrictions No motorized vehicles; no snowmobiles

Amenities Rest rooms

Driving time from Pittsburgh 40 minutes south-southwest

Cecil Township Trail

Cecil Township Park to Hendersonville in Washington County

After a 5-mile gap from McDonald, the Montour Trail resumes behind Cecil Township Park. To reach the trail there, start from Cecil Park on the south side of PA50, in the village of Venice. From here it runs 4.4 miles to Hendersonville and an additional 1.5 miles to Chartiers Ck. The trail itself is packed crushed limestone 10 feet wide, except in the tunnel. It is complemented by extensive signage and landscaping.

Location Cecil Township, Washington County

Trailheads Cecil Township Park, Dacor Dr, McConnell Rd, Hendersonville

Length, Surface 5.9 miles, packed crushed stone

Character Busy, suburban to wooded, sunny, flat

Usage restrictions Horses ok on grass—stay off improved surface; no motorized vehicles; no snowmobiles

Amenities Rest rooms, water, food

Driving time from Pittsburgh 35 minutes south-southwest

Arrowhead Trail

Town of McMurray in Washington County

This popular trail runs through residential areas of Peters Township. Frequent informal side routes provide local access. Expect lots of company on the trail, including pedestrians, dog-walkers, and rollerbladers. It's well laid out, with a good asphalt surface and extensive landscaping. The northern part is 11’ wide; the southern end 8’. There is so much traffic that a striped center line has been added to remind people to stay right. Although nearly flat, the trail has enough curves and alternations between residential and wooded areas to remain interesting. Trees keep it reasonably well shaded. Considering the amount of development nearby, the trail feels very rural.

Location Peters Township, Washington County

Trailheads Pelipetz Rd, Brush Run Rd

Length, Surface 3.2 miles paved, 7 miles planned

Character Busy, urban, shady, flat

Usage restrictions No motorized vehicles; no snowmobiles; no horses; 20 mph limit for bicycles

Amenities Rest rooms, water, bike rental, food

Driving time from Pittsburgh 45 minutes south-southwest

Trail organization: This section of the Montour Trail is owned and independently operated by Peters Township. Contact Peters Township Department of Parks and Recreation, 610 East McMurray Rd, McMurray PA 15317, (412) 942-5000

Bethel Park Spur

Southern part of Bethel Park Township in Allegheny County

The Arrowhead Trail splits at Library Junction, with the northern branch connecting with the Brush Run trailhead and the eastern branch connecting (eventually) with the main leg of the Montour Trail. Across Brush Run Rd from the parking lot, the trail goes down a short steep hill, then is mostly level as it heads west, then north, then northeast to the intersection of Logan and Patterson Rds. The first 0.8 mile is in Peters Township, hence part of the Arrowhead Trail. At the county line, the trail becomes the Bethel Park Spur, and it follows the railroad grade for 2.1 miles until the railroad grade disappears in an industrial park.

Location Bethel Park Township, Allegheny County

Trailheads Brush Run Rd

Length, Surface 1 mile packed crushed stone; 2.1 miles under design

Character Little-used, suburban, shady, flat

Usage restrictions No motorized vehicles; no snowmobiles

Amenities Food

Driving time from Pittsburgh 45 minutes south

South Park Section

Along Piney Fork in South Park Township in Allegheny County

The seed of the South Park section of the Montour Trail has been sown with a mile and a half of trail. It runs beside Piney Fork Ck, parallel to Brownsville-Library Rd and Piney Fork Rd. There are currently two access points, one near the Bethel Park and South Park sewer plant on Piney Fork Rd, and the other at Triphammer Rd. Access at the west endpoint won't be available until a bridge is rebuilt.

Location South Park Township, Allegheny County

Trailheads Stewart Rd, Piney Fork Rd, Triphammer Rd

Length, Surface 1.5 miles developed; packed crushed stone

Character Little-used, suburban, shady, flat

Usage restrictions No motorized vehicles; no snowmobiles

Amenities Rest rooms, water, food

Driving time from Pittsburgh 45 minutes south

Shorter Trails and Bike Lanes

These are all short segments and mostly bike lanes. They are included mostly for completeness, as they are busy and not well connected to other trails.

Schenley Park Trails

Park loop on former bridle trails. Access at the playground from Panther Hollow Rd near its intersection with the Blvd of the Allies or at the stoplight where it intersects Greenfield Rd.

Trail Organization: City of Pittsburgh

Beechwood Blvd Bike Lanes

Along Beechwood Blvd for 4.0 miles from Fifth Av to Browns Hill Rd.

Trail Organization: City of Pittsburgh

Lawrencevillle Trail

From 43rd to 36th Sts in Lawrenceville, City of Pittsburgh

Trail Organization: City of Pittsburgh

Riverview Park Bike Lanes

Along Riverview Drive in Riverview Park for 2.1 miles.

Trail Organization: City of Pittsburgh

North Park Lake Bike Lane

Around North Park Lake for 5 miles in North Park.

Trail Organization: Allegheny County

South Park Bike Path

Along Corrigan Drive for 2.2 miles in South Park.

Trail Organization: Allegheny County

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Ordering information

FreeWheeling Easy is available in many western Pennsylvania bike shops, outdoor stores, and bookstores for $13.95+tax. The 24 page Supplement is also available for $2.00 at many of the same places.  If you can't find it there, you can order from us: 

We usually ship in 1 to 5 days. Sorry, we don't do credit cards, but Amazon.com books does. You can order the book from Amazon.com, where the discount will partially offset the shipping charges. Amazon does not carry the supplement.

You are visiting FreeWheeling Easy in Western Pennsylvania, copyright © 1998,1999,2000,2001 by Mary Shaw and Roy Weil. We encourage you to link to these pages or print copies for personal use. However, if you want to copy the material for any other use, you must ask us first. Other outdoor publications by the authors. Page updated 01/21/06 by Mary Shaw     Comments to maintainer.

As always we have made a serious effort to present accurate descriptions.  However we are human, trails change with time, and we occasionally receive incorrect information.  Therefore we can not be responsible for discrepancies between these descriptions and actual trail conditions.   Use common sense, judgment and be careful out there.