I had such a fun day of hiking. The trail had multiple views and terrain within 3 miles. There were…read moresome run down shelters. It wasn't life changing but it was nice and secluded.

Allegheny Land Trust new acquisition in 2021. 151 acres of green space, walking trails, creek and…read morelots of birds. I did notice a lot of dog waste, and a woman I met on the trail mentioned it too. This space was formerly a golf course, but it is reverting back to a natural space. This is a wonderful community asset.

Kane Woods Nature Area is a delightful hidden gem in Scott Township. It's owned by the Scott…read moreConservancy and is made up of at least 5 trails as of today. To be clear, these are not particularly difficult or long trails. If you only visited for an hour, you could probably explore most of if not all of the trails. But hey: sometimes a relaxing stroll is even more rewarding than a difficult trek! Especially in a wooded area like this one. In addition to offering a laid back hiking experience, this little area is absolutely gorgeous. I especially love visiting in the fall, when vibrant colors overtake the treetops and you can enjoy the sound of walking on fallen leaves. Plus, Kane Woods Nature Area is very easy to get to for those of us in the South Hills. Sure, places like Frick Park or Settlers Cabin Park are bigger and grander green spaces, but on those days that you really don't feel like dealing with I-376, it's good to have a local option too! I definitely recommend visiting this spot at least once, no matter how experienced of a hiker you are. Dogs are also welcome, so I also recommend bringing your best friend along on your walk!

I love hiking in autumn. The crisp air, the crackle of leaves under my boots and the quiet moments…read morein nature. Kane Woods Nature Area in Scott Township is a great place for a hike. Several trail heads with parking. Well maintained easy trails. And super cool that dogs are allowed off leash in this wooded wonderland.

Relatively unknown, Powdermill Nature Reserve is a beautiful place to take a day trip from…read morePittsburgh to enjoy a fun-filled day outdoors. The small well-designed Nature Center with ecology exhibits is surrounded by public trails to explore its beautiful woodlands. Admission is free. Autumn is the best time to visit in my opinion. Check out their special programs calendar for more activity opportunities.

Powdermill Nature Reserve is a slice of PA natural wonder in the laurel highlands. The museum and…read morehiking trails are complimentary and filled with several interactive exhibits all dedicated to the Western Pennsylvania environment. This was a really fun day trip!

The Youghiogheny River Trail consists of 71 miles of crushed limestone rail trail from McKeesport,…read morePA to Confluence, PA. This trail is part of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) which extends from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MA for 150 miles then hooks up with the C & O Towpath for 185 miles to take you to Washington, D.C. (total of 335 miles). Mostly used by cyclists but it is also used by walkers and runners. Per the Regional Trail Council's website, the policy is that no motorized vehicles are allowed except for those who have mobility impairments as listed in this article of 2010 and is current as of 6/23/17 when posting this review: http://www.regionaltrailcorp.com/RTC_Mobility%20Device_Policy.pdf. As a disclaimer, I am only the messenger of the policy, not the author, and have re-posted in good-faith that it is current. It's a beautiful trail and very well maintained. On Sunday, June 4th, they had their annual Yough-n-Roll fundraiser to both promote the trail and drum up support for the many volunteers than maintain the trail. We saw evidence of much branch trimming going on. Boston, PA is one of the access points and one we use quite a bit for our starting point. They have plenty of parking there and it takes about 30 minutes from Monroeville to get there. Then, we like to ride to West Newton for 14 miles making for a 28 mile round trip ride. Once in West Newton, we love to eat at the Trailside (right along the trail). They have a great deck or you can dine inside when it's too hot. They have much to choose from and we usually go for one of their salads or sandwiches. Plus, they offer cold water to fill up your water bottle, a welcomed gesture for cyclists. There's also a bike shop below the restaurant that's quite handy. Can't say enough good things about the trail and all the amenities along the entire Youghiogheny River Trail. Worried there won't be enough restrooms? Well, if you see a ball field, there's probably a porta-potty. See Dravo Cemetery? There's a restroom. See a town with restaurants and civilization? They have restrooms. Want to visit a state park and maybe hike or kayak? Well, there's Ohiopyle right on the trail. Want to get a GAP jersey? West Newton has a store which carries them. Want beautiful photo ops? Say no more. You'll have plenty chances to take pics of flowers, water, birds, deer, turtles, maybe a snake (don't be scared -- they don't want to eat you. Be nice and ride around anything that looks like a stick. Remember your feet are on your pedals above any snakes.). Need a bike store? There's one in West Newton and Confluence. Need lodging? Connelsville has a new hotel right along the trail plus there are B & B's in quite a few of the towns. We've stayed in lodging in Ohiopyle and Confluence and were not disappointed. This Wikipedia site will tell you where access points are and where to park: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youghiogheny_River_Trail This website will tell you about the Mon/Yough Trail Council that volunteers to maintain the trail from McKeesport to the Westmoreland County line and how you can join or donate: http://thebostontrail.com/ This website will tell you about the Westmoreland Yough Trail Chapter volunteers to maintain the trail in Westmoreland County and how you can join or donate: https://www.bikewytc.org/ Oh, and here's the website that will tell you about all the chapters supporting this trail: http://www.regionaltrailcorp.com/chapters.html

My favorite thing about Pittsburgh in summer…read more The rivers keep this trail cool and breezy. It's long - you can go all the way to Ohiopyle (the trail is quite pretty out that way), or even, with some interruptions, Washington DC! It's all very green. The crushed limestone surface is very well-kept and good for mountain bikes and road bikes alike. There are stops for water, bathrooms, benches, a picturesque old cemetery. In case of rain, there are a number of covered picnic tables and baseball dugouts along the way that you can duck into. There are wildflowers and groundhogs and bunnies and little waterfalls. And snakes. And an ex-Tastee Freeze that now goes by the name Yough Twister. Hm. The only real drawback is that you have to drive to the trail with your bike from Pittsburgh. You can't even take a bus; the buses that run to McKeesport, where the trail officially begins (as of now) don't carry bikes. There are lots of entrances to the path, most marked with little signs. In the town of Boston, PA there is a big parking lot and some playing fields and rest rooms that make a good place to start. Remember speedy Pittsburghers, pass on the left and hail when passing! Oh, and like all the great bike paths I love, this one has been the site of some highway robbery . . . Because this is a rails-to-trails, there is almost no elevation change. If I had kids, I'd take them here. But I would encourage them NOT to stop in the middle of the path if they needed to adjust something on their bicycles. Much better any day than a trip to Lake Erie. It's also nice in the fall.

Passage of summer. I love this concept and the on-going support and attention the Supper Market…read moreevent receives. So relaxing and enjoyable. It's held on Wednesdays 5-8 starting in June through August. Local chefs and businesses have prepared foods and desserts ready for purchase. It's an opportunity to picnic outdoors and visit with friends and others in attendance. So BYOB, a comfy chair, and the allotted time for some fun and relaxation as you listen to the live entertainment. They collect $ 3.00 per car to help offset the costs and continued funds needed to support the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor.

The Lincoln Highway is a more scenic, cheaper, and historic way to get through southern PA as…read morecompared to taking the PA Turnpike. At 42nd. and Broadway in New York City in the Lincoln Highway started and ended in San Francisco. I got on the Lincoln Highway west of Philadelphia (King of Prussia, PA) and back on 81 a little bit west of the museum. This stretch of the Lincoln Highway included Amish Country, Gettysburg (Civil War), and the Flight 93 Memorial (9-11).

My favorite park next to Acadia. I have so many childhood memories here. The exploration is endless…read moreand good for almost any level of hiking. I walk, I do not hike. Many hikers enjoy hiking here. Flat Rock is the best for some free water sliding on rocks fun. The area has numerous amazing parts and you need to go back time and time again. Enjoy picnicking and having fun making memories. Keep it nice and clean up after yourself!

This is a lovely area. We had a nice little drive around, and then stopped to do the hike out to…read moreAdam Falls. The small parking area by the trailhead also features an adjacent playground space, plus a nice picnic area. A stream ambles along, and signage indicates that it is stocked with fish. The hike takes you through the woods around to a nice little waterfall, very picturesque in the wood setting. They offer cabins too for those who want to stay onsite and extend their stay.

You should really check out Montour Woods Conservation Area out by Moon Township if you want a…read moregood, quiet place to hike. I was honestly surprised by how many trails they have packed in there. It's mostly deep woods with a bunch of little stream crossings, and you can do anything from an easy, flat walk to some pretty steep climbs if you want a decent workout. It also connects right to the Montour Trail if you want to keep going. You'll see a decent amount of mountain bikers out there, but the paths are wide enough that it doesn't feel crowded at all. It's just a great, low-key spot to clear your head for an hour or two without having to drive all the way out of the city.

Oh my goodness. How beautiful was this hike!? My son stopped to take a picture in the valley…read morebecause it was so beautiful and he didnt want to miss it. He also recorded the rushing creek and nature sounds. I love trails that feel like a fairy tale. Theres a cave and a gorgeous creek the color of Maine water (not what were used to with the Allegheny river) I do have a warning though snd thats to use the bathroom anywhere before you arrive. There seems to be one port a potty that has not been serviced in far too long.

When I lived in Bloomfield, I'd often walk over to Oakland and the Panther Hollow Trail. The trail…read moreis part of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail system. It's well-maintained and kept clean. The trail is perfect for walking and biking. Whether you're out for a casual & leisurely walk or to get your jog on, it's a perfect trail. Peaceful and serene, surrounded by nature in the heart of a bustling city.

Given that I live in N. Oakland, this trail is my gateway to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail…read moreSystem, a.k.a. the bike trails that run along all of Pittsburgh's rivers. It cuts through Schenley Park in pretty much the straightest and least hilly manner possible, connecting Oakland and Greenfield. The only part of this trail that I don't particularly like is the Greenfield end, where it loops around through part of the neighborhood, under the railroad bridge, and up into the trailhead parking lot for the Eliza Furnace trail. While it may be the safest way to get through this neighborhood at present, I particularly dislike the narrow blind corners, so on my way up to the trail, I often avoid them by climbing the hill and crossing the RR tracks (which you're not supposed to do, but I'm a railfan, so I know about trains and I'm careful). Speaking of which, closer to the Oakland side, this trail connects to the other Schenley Park trails via a connector that crosses the RR tracks. While not nearly as busy as many other RR tracks in PGH, these tracks (the same ones I cross) see a few trains a day, so take appropriate caution when crossing them. I've heard that wild turkeys live along this trail, but I've never actually seen them--at least, not in the park. (I did see them near Central Catholic HS one time). If you do encounter them, be careful, as they are hostile to cyclists and may attack!