Clean park, the trails overall could be in better condition, I had to jump over a fallen tree to…read morecontinue, also the rocks on the trail are washed away

Duff Park is a wonderful park for hiking. Since we started incorporating hiking into our weekly…read moreworkout regime, we have found that Duff Park offers a lot of challenging hiking trails and some flatter biking trails. I suggest if you are new to the park to grab a map located at the main parking area off School Road South in Murrysville. I am not sure if this park offers a playground or picnic area as I have never seen it, but I am fine with that since we come specifically for the hike. There are plenty of trails to navigate through and some are very steep and narrow. Specifically one section of Forbes is reminiscent of being in the jungle. The vegetation is up past your shoulders, overgrown and covers the trail. You somewhat just follow the stamped down path that is rather unnerving if you do not like not being able to see where you are stepping. There are also many benches to rest on as you walk the trails as well as informative plaques posted on the trails detailing different trees and vegetation. You can definitely get a good workout in if you navigate several different trails. Though not all the trails are good for kids I would say there are plenty that you can take grade school kids on without any major issues so it can be a nice family workout as well.

Right across from the NoBe gym near were Two Guys and a Truck is located. Not hard to find at all…read more Barely a quarter mile up from Route 88 on Valley Drive. Great place to walk a dog. Just clean up after.

Bethel Green is one of the newest acquisitions of the Allegheny Land Trust. It is a 40.5 acre…read moreconservation area with hiking trails located in Bethel Park. It used to be an industrial coal mine area, but is now a protected green space. It is a good place to go for a hike and to get out into nature, even though it is right in the middle of the suburbs. One of the highlights is a giant mountain of coal, called Mt. Bethel, with a trail crossing it (and a very steep grade on both sides of the trail). There are various benches for sitting, but currently no restroom facilities. Enjoy ... Cheers!

Mingo Creek Park is a beautifully maintained park that is perfect for a group of friends, a family…read moreouting, a walk with your dog, or even a date - if you come prepared. While there are plenty of restrooms throughout the park, they appear to all be portable toilets and do not seem to have running water. There may be facilities elsewhere with running water, but I did not come across any except for a small sink located near a building that looks like a bathroom but that isn't a bathroom with indoor picnic tables. That said, the restrooms I did encounter are probably the nicest portable restrooms I have ever seen. The numerous benches throughout the park are a welcome feature, making it easy to spend an entire day exploring the area. There are also plenty of picnic benches conveniently located along the trail if you come with your own food and something to clean your hands with. Much of the trail runs alongside a flowing creek, providing the relaxing sound of moving water throughout your walk. The main trail is wide, level, and stretches for about 2.8 miles, making for an enjoyable hike. There are also several side trails that branch off into more heavily wooded areas for those looking to explore further. One thing I would recommend is making sure you know where you are going before arriving. Cell phone service can become spotty as you approach the parking areas, which may make it difficult to coordinate with people who have never visited the park before. That said, there is ample parking once you find it.

Loved this park! Took a walk on the paved trail and it was beautiful and peaceful…read more Everyone that I encountered was friendly and made sure to give a greeting. I checked out the covered bridge and a few of the park's streams and creeks. There's also a fun playground with a parking area very close to the bridge. Next time I'm planning on checking out the Hemlock trail.

We held my daughter's wedding reception here in 2018. We had use of the house and all the grounds…read more It was beautiful! Rental is ridiculously inexpensive and the staff was so helpful. I'd recommend this place for ANY event.

While staying in the are for work, I came here for a morning walk, as I saw there were trails to…read morewalk on and help me get my steps in. I used the Red Blazed trail and it was fairly decent, nicely cleaned (except spider webs, which I find very annoying) and it was just barely over a mile. The end of it was a very steeeeeep uphill that'll get the heart racing and the sweat running! This park features full restrooms, parking and is pretty well blazed and easy to navigate. Definitely worth a visit!

an excellent hidden gem, allowing exploration of nature & art…read more old tunnels & forgotten track tracks covered in graffiti paired with natural rock formations & a short creek nature trail walk covered in moss & various fauna, all blending together for quite a scenic experience it was a delightful off-the-beaten-path visit, not sure I'd go routinely if I lived in the area, but would definitely recommend as a one time must-check out experience

I have always loved this hidden South Hills gem. Art and exploration nestled in an urban setting…read more Wooded green space with a creek and little paths for walking, lunching, and more. Natural stone and man-made features for climbing. Abandoned railroad tracks, graffiti and more.

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.

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.

This lovely conservation area is 450 acres of beautiful forest with lots to see and a very shadowy…read morepast. The ruins of an old pipe factory are very visible and there are informative signs that tell the story. These occurrences took place in the 1800's. There is history of criminals murdered, accidental death(pipe factory), a hanging, an explosion, a drowning, a giant snake sighting, all taking place in the park. For this reason many people think that the sight is haunted by the people who met their fate here. I hate to burst the excitement, but I have never experienced ghosts, or any other paranormal activity while spending time there. In fact, despite it's dark past Dead Man's Hollow is a very tranquil place. If you have been there during May when Spring season really kicks off you will see tons of wildflowers that are spectacular. The pipe factory had a fire and the ground was burned. This happens to be very good for re-growth and as a result we get to experience a lot of beautiful flora. Also, the old pipe factory remains are covered with cool graffiti. The trails are at times narrow, but they are very clean. You are at some point going to climb up and down hills, so it is a very good workout. I would say that the hiking is a bit more challenging. To find it I would suggest searching via a trailhead name and not just the park name. One example would be "cat fish pond trail." There is a nice parking area near that trailhead. There is also another parking area on the other side of the park(more on that later). This other side is closer to the ruins.

We checked out the catfish pond today. It looked promising at first but soon discovered that there…read moreis very little accessibility to fish there. The spots that are open are at an incline sloped towards the pond and are very slippery and hazardous. I do not recommend taking young kids there. My daughter and I fished for an hour or so and only saw bluegill in the 3-4" range and smaller minnows. We used lures and worms and had many bites but the fish were too small to get hooked. We did see many water turtles and even a few babies whose shell was about 2-3" in diameter. We also saw one large snapping turtle appear for a few seconds. There are also a bunch of bullfrog minnows whose bodies were the size of golf balls (early June). It's a cool place to see but we won't be returning to fish.