Dust off the old bucket list! Got it? Good. Now get ready to add some amazing adventures to its pages. These six waterfall hikes, some of the best hikes in Pittsburgh, offer a little bit of everything. Stunning natural beauty. Opportunities to interact with wildlife up close. Plenty of picture-perfect moments for selfies and photos at some of the area’s most beautiful waterfalls. What are you waiting for? Start adding to your bucket list.

1. Meadow Run Trail – Ohiopyle Falls
Ohiopyle State Park, 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470, USA
Flickr/Jon Dawson
Admire two waterfalls along Meadow Run Trail in Ohiopyle State Park. But, that's not all. The three-mile loop trail offers the perfect way to cool off with a slide down the Meadow Run Natural Waterslide. (But, be forewarned, the ride could be a bumpy one and result in bumps and bruises.) View Cucumber Falls from the top, or climb down a set of stairs to check it out from the base. Ohiopyle Falls features several viewing platforms that will take you right by the falls. Plan your visit on the official website of Ohiopyle State Park.

Ohiopyle State Park is located at 124 Main St., Ohiopyle, PA, 15470.
2. Buttermilk Falls – Beaver Falls
Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, Route 18 & First Avenue & Homewood Borough, Beaver Falls, PA 15010, USA
Flickr/Joanna Poe
Enjoy a leisurely stroll to Buttermilk Falls in Beaver Falls. The hike takes between five and 15 minutes, depending on how fast you walk and will take you up wide, stone stairs. You'll be rewarded with simply breathtaking views of the 40-foot waterfall. Feel the cool mist of the waterfall (but be careful) if you walk behind it. You can also check it out from above. Here's the official website of Buttermilk Falls Natural Area.

Buttermilk Falls Natural Area is located at Route 18 & First Ave. & Homewood Borough, Beaver Falls, PA, 15010.
3. Fall Run Trail – Fall Run Park
Fall Run Park, 187 Fall Run Rd, Glenshaw, PA 15116, USA
Facebook/Fall Run Park
Snap photos of Allegheny County's only waterfall at Fall Run Park in Glenshaw. The one-mile trail boasts Fall Run Waterfall. The county's lone waterfall drops 25 feet. Check it out from the base, or climb the staircase to get a bird's eye view. Learn more on the official website of Fall Run Park.

Fall Run Park is located at 187 Fall Run Rd., Glenshaw, PA, 15116.

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4. Slippery Rock Gorge Trail – McConnells Mill State Park
McConnells Mill State Park, 1761 McConnells Mill Rd, Portersville, PA 16051, USA
All Trails/Shilah Briceland
Fair warning, Slippery Rock Gorge Trail boasts a gorgeous waterfall. But, it isn't for the inexperienced hiker. The 14.2-mile loop trail features steep climbs and slippery areas. Be careful if you embark on it, and plan to spend a significant amount of time on the trail as the complete hike can take upwards of six hours. Visit the official website of McConnells Mill State Park for more information.

McConnells Mill State Park is located at 1761 McConnells Mill Rd., Portersville, PA, 16051
5. Sahli Nature Park – Beaver Falls
I.S. and Gertrude Sahli Nature Park, 194 McKinley Rd, Beaver Falls, PA 15010, USA
Facebook/Sahli Nature Park
Explore the trails that crisscross through Sahil Nature Park. The 90-acre nature park offers plenty of picture-perfect moments. Watching ducks meander along a pond. Seeing butterflies prepare to leave the nursery, Admiring the simple beauty of a waterfall tumbling into a pool of water. The nature park is open daily from dawn to dusk. Stop by the official Facebook of Sahli Nature Park for more information.

Sahli Nature Park is located at 194 McKinley Rd., Beaver Falls, PA, 15010.
6. Springfield Falls – Mercer
Mercer, PA 16137, USA
All Trails/Daniel Lapikas
Looking for a really easy hike? You've found it! The trek to Springfield Falls tallies only .1 of a mile. Not too far from the charming town of Volant, Springfield Falls offers jaw-dropping views from a variety of angles. Keep an eye out for local wildlife. And, bring your pooch along (as long as he stays on a leash).

Springfield Falls is located in Mercer, PA, 16156.

How many of these waterfall hikes have you already been on? Do you agree that these are some of the best hikes in Pittsburgh? Join the conversation in the comments! For more waterfall fun, here’s the perfect weekend itinerary if you love exploring Pittsburgh’s waterfalls.

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More to Explore

Best Hikes In Pittsburgh

Beth Price-Williams | April 04, 2022

Are there any hiking trails near me that leading to ruins?

Hiking in Pittsburgh means surprises around every corner – from tiny waterfalls to abandoned ruins. Chances are no matter where you live in or near the city, you’re near a Western Pennsylvania hiking trail that leads to abandoned ruins. Several trails meander through Dead Man’s Hollow in McKeesport, for example, and lead to the ruins of a long-forgotten factory. If you’re brave enough to follow one of these hallowed trails, you might also experience the paranormal. Dead Man’s Hollow, after all, is said to be the site of a horrific murder. The spirit of the accused murderer, who proclaimed his innocence until his very execution, is said to still haunt the hollow to this day. The Ghost Town Trail, on the other, doesn’t emanate tales of the paranormal. However, it does pass the remnants of former coal towns in Indiana and Cambria Counties. The West Penn Trail, on the other hand, wanders 17 miles from Saltsburg to Blairsville and passes a slew of ruins – from old buildings to canals. Don’t forget to bring your camera on whichever trail you hike.

What are some kid-friendly hikes near Pittsburgh?

Getting outdoors with the kiddos is a win-win for everyone. They get to burn off excess energy, and we parents have the opportunity to relax (and benefit from that burned off energy at home). Fortunately, we can find a ton of short, sweet, kid-friendly hikes in Pittsburgh the whole family will love. If you or the kids are new to hiking, consider hitting one of the trails that usually takes just an hour or less. The Sunken Garden Trail at Moraine State Park offers three routes – the shortest of which tallies 1.9 miles and the longest clocks in at 3.6 miles. Whichever you choose, you should be able to complete the trek in about an hour, and you’ll be treated to gorgeous scenery along the way. The Braille Trail wanders just over half of a mile through North Park while Fall Run Trail is a picturesque one-mile trail that leads to a beautiful cascade.

 

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