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FreeWheeling Easy in Western Pennsylvania |
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Information on Trails Near Pittsburghby 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.
Robinson-Moon-Findlay-North Fayette Section
Quicksilver-McDonald Section
Cecil Township Section
Arrowhead Trail
Bethel Park Spur
South Park Section
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 TrailsSix 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 TrailThe 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
FurnaceTrailAlong 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 TrailAlong 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: http://steelvalleytrail.org
The
Montour TrailThe 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 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
SectionOne 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 TrailAfter 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
TrailThis 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 SpurSouthern 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 SectionAlong 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 LanesThese 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.
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
Along Beechwood Blvd for 4.0 miles from Fifth Av to Browns Hill Rd.
Trail Organization: City of Pittsburgh
From 43rd to 36th Sts in Lawrenceville, City of Pittsburgh
Trail Organization: City of Pittsburgh
Along Riverview Drive in Riverview Park for 2.1 miles.
Trail Organization: City of Pittsburgh
Around North Park Lake for 5 miles in North Park.
Trail Organization: Allegheny County
Along Corrigan Drive for 2.2 miles in South Park.
Trail Organization: Allegheny County
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FreeWheeling Easy is currently out of print. Some copies may be available in 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, try the used books on Amazon.com, or send us an e-mail and we will notify you when the next edition is available:
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 04/08/06 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.