Let’s go on a hike today, Pittsburgh! We have plenty of ways to explore the city, but hiking gives us a chance to see places we normally wouldn’t when we’re driving around town. These six beautiful hikes in Pittsburgh are all brief, and you should be able to complete them in under an hour.  They’re also some of the best hikes in Pittsburgh that promise plenty of natural beauty.

1. Braille Trail – North Park
North Park, 303 Pearce Mill Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101, USA
All Trails/Ramakrishna Bollineni
North Park’s Braille Trail, designed specifically for blind individuals, promises an easy yet beautiful stroll. Lined with wildflowers and lush trees, the trail spans just over a half of a mile. It also features guiding wire throughout the entire trail. Learn more on the official website of North Park.
2. Fall Run Trail – Fall Run Park
Fall Run Park, 187 Fall Run Rd, Glenshaw, PA 15116, USA
All Trails/Christopher Collins
Get a glimpse of the lone waterfall in Allegheny County when you embark on the Fall Run Trail at Fall Run Park in Shaler. The 1.4-mile trail offers such gorgeous scenery as lush trees, babbling brooks, and wooden footbridges. The hike culminates at the waterfall, where you can drink in breathtaking views from the base. Or, climb the stairs to check out the view from the top. Stop by the official website of Fall Run Park for more information.
3. Harmony Trail – Wexford
Harmony Trail Trailhead, 223-291 Wexford Bayne Rd, Wexford, PA 15090, USA
Flickr/Katherine Hala
Embark on the one-mile Harmony Trail in Wexford. The crushed-stone trail, which is mostly flat, leads to the popular Rachel Carson Trail. To start your hike, go to the Brennan Road trailhead. If you’re having fun hiking, keep going once you reach the start of the Rachel Carson Trail. Read more about the Harmony Trail.

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4. Oak Forest – Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614 Dorseyville Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, USA
Facebook/Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve
Spend a leisurely few hours outdoors at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve. Boasting five miles of hiking trails, the nature reserve has nine trails, all spanning one-mile or less. That means you can check out one, two, or all of them, if you have the time. The Oak Forest Trail, for example, will take you just over a half of a mile through a shaded forest. Visit the official website of Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve.
5. Highland Park Trail
Highland Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA
All Trails/Martina Forsch
Explore Highland Park with a leisurely hike along the 2.5-mile Highland Park Double Loop Trail. Pass such stunning scenery as a small waterfall, a shimmering lake, and lush vegetation. The easy trail can get pretty busy at times with hikers, bikers, and dog walkers. Visit the official website of Highland Park.
6. Sunken Garden Trail – Moraine State Park
Moraine State Park, 225 Pleasant Valley Rd, Portersville, PA 16051, USA
All Trails/Noah Miller
Journey a bit further than downtown Pittsburgh for a picture-perfect hike at Moraine State Park. One of the best things about the Sunken Garden Trail is you can embark on one of three loops – the 1.9, 2.4, or 3.6-mile loop respectively. The trail will lead you through tall grass, past lush trees, and by colorful, blossoming wildflowers. Here's the official website of Moraine State Park.

What are your favorite short hikes in Pittsburgh? Do you agree that these are some of the best hikes in Pittsburgh? Join the conversation in the comments! Love hiking and waterfalls? Then follow these six waterfall hikes near Pittsburgh.

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Best Hikes In Pittsburgh

Beth Price-Williams | April 20, 2022

What are the best kid-friendly hikes around Pittsburgh?

Getting the kids outdoors, especially with all of that technology right at their fingertips, can often be a challenge. If you haven’t introduced the kids to hiking in Pittsburgh yet, you might want to consider packing the whole family in the car then following one of the best kid-friendly trails in Pittsburgh. Good news, too, because we’ve got quite a few. You might want to bring a picnic along on the short but sweet Frick Park Loop Trail. It tallies just under five miles and boasts a ton of natural scenery. You can even bring your pup along on this dog- and kid-friendly Pittsburgh hike. If you prefer a short (very short) stroll to a hike, head over to Ohiopyle State Park, where you’ll find Cucumber Falls. Park in the tiny parking lot then descend a set of stairs that will take you to the base of the waterfall. Don’t worry if you can’t climb stairs; you can still admire the tumbling cascade from above. Less than a mile from Cucumber Falls, Ohiopyle Falls drops into the river. You can view it from outdoor platforms, which also require just a short stroll.

What are the best state parks near Pittsburgh for hiking?

Did you know that Pittsburgh’s within driving distance of quite a few Pennsylvania state parks? You find some of the most scenic, beautiful hiking trails in Pennsylvania at these state parks, along with a full menu of other activities. The closest state park to Pittsburgh is, of course, Point State Park, and it’s perfect when you want to go on a leisurely stroll. About a half an hour from downtown Pittsburgh, Raccoon Creek State Park boasts stunning trails through wildflower fields; it’s also home to a sandy beach. Moraine State Park offers two sandy beaches, the massive Lake Arthur for boating, and a network of beautiful hiking trails.

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