Zip up your backpack. Slip on your most comfortable shoes. Make sure you have plenty of water, a fully charged smartphone, and your camera. You’ll probably want to pack a few snacks and some sunscreen, especially during the warmer months, too. Then decide which of the five best hikes in Pittsburgh you’ll set off on today. Each will show you a side of the city, and Western Pennsylvania, you might never have seen before.

1. The North Shore Trail
Yelp/Kristin B.
North Shore Trail, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Yelp/Kristin B.
Pass spectacular beauty on the North Shore Trail. The six-mile hike will take you from Millvale Riverfront Park to the North Shore. During your hike, you'll have the opportunity to admire such Pittsburgh landmarks as the Three Sisters Bridges, PNC Park, Heinz Field, and the Carnegie Science Center. Read more about the North Shore Trail.
2. Slippery Rock Gorge Trail
McConnells Mill State Park, 1761 McConnells Mill Rd, Portersville, PA 16051, USA
Yelp/Sean P.
Travel just about an hour from downtown Pittsburgh to McConnells Mill State Park. Prepare for a challenging 6.2-mile hike along the Slippery Rock Gorge, which travels from Hells Hollow to Eckerts Bridge. Snap photos of the entrance to an abandoned coal mine, a natural bridge, a cave, and a waterfall. Discover more about the Slippery Rock Gorge Trail .
3. Ghost Town Trail
Indiana County Parks

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Ghost Town Trail, Pennsylvania, USA
Indiana County Parks
Imagine the vibrant past of Western Pennsylvania's coal mining towns when you hike along the Ghost Town Trail, one the most unique trails near Pittsburgh. The entire trail spans 36 miles through Indiana and Cambria Counties. Hike the entire trail, or get on and off at one of the eight trail heads. Muse at what must have been as you hike past the remains of former coal mining towns, the Coal Miners Memorial, and and the remnants of the Eliza Furnace. Read more about the Ghost Town Trail.
4. Jennings Trail
Facebook/Raccoon Creek State Park
Raccoon Creek State Park, 3000 PA-18, Hookstown, PA 15050, USA
Facebook/Raccoon Creek State Park
Stop to smell the flowers when you traverse the Jennings Trail at Raccoon Creek State Park. The 1.5-mile easy trail near Pittsburgh winds through the park's Wildflower Reserve. View such breathtaking flowers as pink bluebells, red buds, and Dutchman's breeches. Learn more about the Jennings Trail .
5. Wopsononock Mountain
Altoona, PA, USA
Flickr/Tim Haynes
Travel up Wopsononock Mountain in Altoona for a delightfully haunted hike. Stroll up Beulah Road, where you may just run into a distraught bride looking for her missing groom. On the curve of the road, known as Devil's Elbow, the newlyweds' carriage toppled over the side of the mountain. The groom's body was never found. Read more about the tale and the trail at Wopsononock Mountain.

What do you think are the best hikes in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments! If you’re a fan of hiking and waterfalls, you’ll probably want to add these six waterfall hikes near Pittsburgh to your bucket list.

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More to Explore

Best Hikes In Pittsburgh

Beth Price-Williams | March 02, 2022

What are the best kid-friendly hikes around Pittsburgh?

Hiking’s one of the best ways to get outdoors, breathe in the fresh air, and have fun with the kiddos. Fortunately, we’ve got quite a few kid-friendly hikes around Pittsburgh. Did you know that Allegheny County’s home to a lone waterfall? Yep, and it just happens to sit at the end of a really easy, kid-friendly trail. Follow the one-mile Fall Run Trail that leads straights to a waterfall of the same name. You can view the waterfall from the base, or climb a set of stairs for an overhead angle.  Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve in Fox Chapel offers the chance to see wildlife up close and to hit one of its nine hiking trails, all of which are easy. Start with the Spring Hollow Trail, which will take you through a meadow and a forest and past a pond.

What are the most scenic hikes in Pittsburgh?

We all know that nothing beats the views of the Pittsburgh skyline, and there are a few trails on Mount Washington that offer sensational views of the city. Bring your camera along on the Emerald View Trail, a 2.6-mile trek boasts views of downtown and Heinz Field. Panther Hollow Trail, which winds through Schenley Park in Oakland, and South Side Steps and Hills Walk are other bucket-list worthy scenic hikes in Pittsburgh. If you follow the South Side Steps and Hills Walk, bring plenty of water, and be prepared to climb a lot of stairs.

Are there any easy hikes in Pittsburgh?

Easy hikes in Pittsburgh are simple to find. You just have to decide where in the city you want to explore. Up for an adventure in Frick Park? Follow the Frick Park Loop Trail, a five-mile hike that’s popular with hikers and those walking their dogs. You may be minutes from the city, but you’ll feel a million miles away from it all. If you prefer to spend some time wandering through Highland Park, maybe after a visit to the zoo, set off on the two-mile Highland Park Double Loop Trail. It features footbridges, a tiny waterfall, and a ton of lush foliage in the warmer months.

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