What comes to your mind when you think of Pittsburgh? This historic city is home to major league sports teams, research universities, and complex infrastructures like incline cable railways, tunnels, and staircases.
People may not often associate Pittsburgh with an outdoorsy city, but you’d be surprised by the number of fun outdoor activities there are to do in this historic city. The landscape boasts dramatic topography and a scenic three-river confluence that you won’t want to miss.
So whether you’re looking for an urban trail to explore with the kids or a nearby mountain summit solo trip, Pittsburgh has what you’re looking for. Check out this guide to the best hikes near Pittsburgh so you can plan your next outdoor adventure!
Table of Contents
- 1 Heritage Trail and Forest Trail Loop
- 2 Frick Park Loop Trail
- 3 Slippery Rock Creek Gorge Trail
- 4 Best Hikes Featuring Waterfalls
- 5 Hells Hollow Falls Trail
- 6 Ferncliff Trail
- 7 Great Gorge Trail
- 8 Kid-friendly Hikes in Pittsburgh
- 9 Spring Hollow Trail
- 10 Riverview Park Loop Trail
- 11 North Park Lake Shore Loop Trail
- 12 What to Bring: Recommended Gear for Your Hike in Pittsburg
- 13 Is Pittsburgh Good for Hiking?
- 14 Are There Mountains Near Pittsburgh?
- 15 When is the Best Time of Year To Go Hiking in Pittsburgh?
Heritage Trail and Forest Trail Loop
Photo Source: AllTrails
- Location: Raccoon Creek State Park
- Trail Length: 4.6 miles
- Trail Type: Loop trail
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Estimated Time: 2 hours
This loop trail within the Raccoon Creek State Park is famous for a reason- and you don’t want to miss it. The route follows a small portion of the Forest Trail marked by white blazes. You’ll cross several stunning stream valleys that feed Raccoon Lake along the way. Then the loop continues along the Lake Trail, marked by blue blazes. Along this trail, the remains of a two-story stone springhouse built in 1846 exist.
Come in the spring to experience the Heritage Trail and Forest Trail loop to the fullest. The spectacular wildflower bloom may just leave you speechless. The grade of this wooded trail is gradual and gentle, making it perfect for the whole family to tag along.
Frick Park Loop Trail
Photo Source: AllTrails
- Location: Frick Park
- Trail Length: 4.9 miles
- Trail Type: Loop trail
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
You don’t have to drive far from downtown to access the Frick Park Loop Trail and escape the city’s noise. The Frick Park trail system is a tight network of well-maintained singletrack trails and fire roads. It’s the go-to woodland park in Pittsburgh!
The Frick Park Loop Trail is well marked. Doubletrack and singletrack trails are suitable for walkers, hikers, and mountain bikers. Park outside the Frick environmental center and start going to the left. This way, you can go up the windy, steeper sections later in your hike. And you can watch out for mountain bikers coming towards you down the hill.
Slippery Rock Creek Gorge Trail
Photo Source: AllTrails
- Location: McConnells Mill State Park
- Trail Length: 15 miles
- Trail Type: Out-and-back trail
- Trail Difficulty: Difficult
- Estimated Time: 6-7 hours
The Slippery Rock Creek Gorge Trail is one of the best challenging day hikes near Pittsburgh. There’s lots of elevation gain and changes in terrain to increase the difficulty and keep things interesting. At 7.5 miles each way,
The trail begins at the Hell’s Hollow parking lot and goes to McConnells Mill, spanning the length of the McConnells Mill State Park. Along the way, you’ll get to experience many stunning natural features, including waterfalls, bridges, rock formations, and forests.
In places, the trail is a smooth path. But it quickly turns into tree-rooted climbs and boulder-laden flats. So give yourself plenty of time to complete this day’s hike and be ready for a great workout!
Best Hikes Featuring Waterfalls
Did you know that Pittsburgh is home to many different water sources? There are many to check out, from rivers to streams, creeks to waterfalls. Here are some waterfalls in Pittsburgh that simply can’t be passed by.
Hells Hollow Falls Trail
Photo Source: PA Bucket List
- Location: McConnells Mill State Park
- Trail Length: 1.2 miles
- Trail Type: Out-and-back trail
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Time: ½ hour
Hells Hollow Falls Trail is a quick and easy hike suitable for the whole family. The terrain is overall relatively flat, and the trail is well-maintained. At the end of the course, you’ll be rewarded with views of an elegant 18-foot-high waterfall.
Whether you’re brand new to hiking or a well-seasoned hiker, you will enjoy this trail.
To get the best view of Hell’s Hollow Falls, hop some rocks across the shallow pool at the bottom of the falls and view it from the rocks on the hill directly across from it.
Ferncliff Trail
Photo Source: AllTrails
- Location: Ohiopyle State Park
- Trail Length: 2 miles
- Trail Type: Loop trail
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Time: 1 hour
Take this loop trail for many spectacular views of Ohiopyle Falls- you won’t be disappointed! The Ferncliff Trail trail begins at the main parking lot for the bike trail at Ohiopyle State Park and heads directly into the Ferncliff Natural Area. Finally, you’ll reach the banks of the Youghiogheny River. If you’re lucky, you may find fossilized plants as you hike over the river bedrock.
The trail follows the riverbank bedrock from there until you reach Ohiopyle Falls. You’ll get a fantastic view directly next to the waterfall before continuing along the path. But this isn’t the end of the beauty- as you hike further south, there are more lookout points with arguably even better views of Ohiopyle Falls.
Great Gorge Trail
Photo Source: MyHikes
- Location: Ohiopyle State Park
- Trail Length: 5 miles
- Trail Type: Out-and-back trail
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
If you’re looking for a bit of a challenging hike with multiple waterfalls, check out the Great Gorge Trail! Cucumber Falls is located at the trailhead and is the main attraction for this area. But that’s not all. The next set of waterfalls is south of the parking area and less than a half mile down the trail.
Finally, the trail ends at a washed-out bridge crossing home to a spectacular large 20-foot wide and 6-foot tall waterfall. The trail is mostly a flat casual hike with many twists and turns, but the elevation steepens as you get closer to the falls. Finish your out-and-back hike with a quick dip in the natural wade pool at the base of Cucumber Falls.
Kid-friendly Hikes in Pittsburgh
Are you visiting the Steel City with your whole family? There are plenty of opportunities for fun-filled day hikes with young kids around Pittsburgh. Try out these hikes the entire family can enjoy.
Spring Hollow Trail
Photo Source: MyHikes
- Location: Beechwood Hollow Nature Preserve
- Trail Length: 1 mile
- Trail Type: Loop trail
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Time: ½ hour
The Spring Hollow Trail is the largest single loop within Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve. It’s straightforward to access, as the trail starts and ends at the parking lot. Hike the route counterclockwise, and you’ll walk through a stretch of doubletrack grass trail before heading deeper into the woods.
As you begin the section of the wooded trail, there are lots of roots and some fallen trees to navigate. This creates a slightly more challenging section. At the final stretch of the trail, you’ll enter a vast field and begin a descent back to the pond and the parking lot.
The Spring Hollow Trail crosses many other trails in the reserve, so there are plenty of opportunities to extend your family hike if you wish!
Riverview Park Loop Trail
Photo Source: AllTrails
- Location: Riverview Park
- Trail Length: 2.7 miles
- Trail Type: Loop trail
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Time: 1 hour
The Riverview Park Loop Trail has multiple creeks and river features and opportunities for wildlife viewing. It’s a relatively flat trail with a gentle grade, and the dense forest provides a lot of shade throughout. There’s also a visitor’s center at the parking lot to check out before you hit the trail.
The mellow nature of the Riverview Park Loop makes it ideal for a family excursion. There’s even a small creek for the little ones to splash in! The park is known for having a lot of deer, and it’s rare to hike this loop without seeing some very close to the trail!
North Park Lake Shore Loop Trail
Photo Source: MyPacer
- Location: North Park
- Trail Length: 5 miles
- Trail Type: Loop trail
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Time: 2 hours
If you’re looking for a beautiful afternoon stroll with your family, the North Park Lake Shore Loop Trail is a great option. As its name suggests, the North Park has a beautifully scenic 75-acre lake in the heart of the park in Allegheny County.
This 5-mile loop trail around the lake is gentle and paved. It’s a very popular trail year-round among hikers, joggers, runners, cyclists, dog walkers, and skaters. If you’re looking for a scenic nature walk not too far from the city, you’ll want to check out the North Park Lake Shore Loop!
What to Bring: Recommended Gear for Your Hike in Pittsburg
You’ll want to be prepared for any weather while hiking in Pittsburgh. Of course, what you can expect depends heavily on the time of year you plan to hike. But no matter the time of year, you should always check weather and trail conditions before hitting the trail. Check out our gear recommendations for hiking in Pittsburgh.
Hiking Boots: Comfortable, supportive, and durable footwear are essential for hiking in Pittsburgh. You’ll want to wear approach shoes if you plan to hike a more technical trail. Check out our recommendations for the best approach shoes.
Rain Jacket: You never know when a surprise rain shower or thunderstorm may pop up. So, a rain jacket is highly recommended no matter the time of year. During the summer, pop-up rain showers and storms are most common.
Sun Protection: Not all of the hiking trails in Pittsburgh provide shade. Make sure you have everything you need to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays! A sunhat, sunglasses, UPF clothing, and sunscreen are all great options.
Warm Layers: You may need a variety of layers for changes in weather on your hike. Pack a shell to protect you from rain and wind and an insulating layer to keep you warm. And check the weather and temperature forecasts before you go.
Day Pack: You’ll need a comfortable and durable daypack to store any goodies you need throughout the day! Warm layers, water, snacks, and your maps will all need to fit here.
Water and a Reusable Water Bottle: Hydration is essential on any hike. Make sure you have more than enough water for your hike in Pittsburgh. It’s also a good idea to carry a water filter or another form of treatment if you get in a pinch.
Nutrition: Don’t forget a lunch and some trail snacks for breaks along the way! You’ll want to keep your body fueled all day long.
Trail map: Even if you’re familiar with the hiking trail, it’s a good idea always to bring a paper trail map and compass.
First aid kit: You never know what could happen out on the trail! So be prepared for injury or illness by packing a first aid kit.
Is Pittsburgh Good for Hiking?
Hiking in and around Pittsburgh is a fun way to explore the outdoors on your trip to Steel City. Many people don’t realize the hidden beauty of this area. You’ll have a selection of trails that lead to waterfalls, lush forests, and rocky mountain peaks.
Are There Mountains Near Pittsburgh?
Yes, there are mountains near Pittsburgh. The Allegheny Mountains, also called Alleghenies, are the mountainous eastern part of the Allegheny Plateau in the Appalachian Mountains. This mountain range extends to the southwest for more than 500 miles from north-central Pennsylvania to southwestern Virginia.
Mt Davis stands as the highest point in Pennsylvania at 3,213 feet. The peak is on a ridge of the Allegheny and Appalachian mountains. It’s located just an hour and 40 minutes from Pittsburgh.
When is the Best Time of Year To Go Hiking in Pittsburgh?
The best time to visit Pittsburgh is during the summer or the fall. More specifically, July to August and September to November are the best times. This is when the weather is most pleasant. If you plan to visit in June, expect a lot of rain!
Pittsburgh is much more than just the famous Steel City. There are so many exceptional hikes within the city limits and just a short drive away. Hiking in and around Pittsburgh is a great way to explore the outdoors, no matter what you’re looking for. You won’t be disappointed by the endless scenic trails that lead to waterfalls, dense forests, mountain peaks, and more!
Leave a Reply