Childhood means spending endless days outdoors – no matter the season. Playing. Running. Just being carefree. Unfortunately, technology has, at times, lured kids indoors rather than outdoors, which makes childhood the perfect time to introduce hiking. One hike can even lead to a lifelong love of exploring. Soak up the sun; get the kids outside, and explore any time of the year by heading out on seven of the best hikes in Pittsburgh for the whole family.

1. Spring Hollow Trail – 614 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15238
Facebook/Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve
Hike among nature and wildlife at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve. The enchanting natural oasis in Fox Chapel boasts nine trails. Each trail is under a mile while the total of all trails stands at five miles. Start with Spring Hollow Trail, the easiest trail. (If the kids like that one, try another one!) Spring Hollow Trail offers picturesque views of a pond, a forest, and a meadow. Find more information on the official website of Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve.
2. Fall Run Trail – 187 Fall Run Road, Glenshaw, PA, 15116
Shaler Township
Everyone loves a waterfall, right? Especially kids. Fall Run Trail, nestled in Fall Run Park in Shaler, boasts a scenic trail that spans just over a mile. The relatively quiet trail culminates at the biggest waterfall in Pittsburgh and the ONLY named waterfall in Allegheny County. Don’t forget to stop by the playground, or play an impromptu game of basketball at the basketball court. View more photos and a trail map of Fall Run Trail on All Trails.
3. Harmony Trail
Flickr/Katherine Hala
Make sure everyone’s wearing comfy shoes for the one-mile hike along Harmony Trail. Featuring a crush-stoned surface, the picturesque hiking trail is predominately flat. If you’ve made it to the end of a mile and still want to hike, continue along some of the 30-mile Rachel Carson Trail. The Harmony Trail picks up at Brennan Road in Wexford. Learn more about the Harmony Trail.

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4. Art Witt Trail – 3000 PA-18, Hookstown, PA, 15050
Facebook/Raccoon Creek State Park
Raccoon Creek State Park provides the perfect backdrop for a day outdoors. The sprawling state park features a sandy beach, swimming, picnicking, boating, and camping. Of course, hiking’s also a popular activity. The quarter of a mile Art Witt Trail will give you a glimpse of the Wildflower Reserve after you’ve strolled through a forest of pine. To get a better look at the Wildflower Reserve, embark on the 1.5-mile Jennings Trail. (However, the trail is rated more difficult.) Visit the official website of Raccoon Creek State Park for more information.
5. McCune Run Trail – 1150 Keystone Park Road, Derry, PA, 15627
Facebook/Keystone State Park
Keystone State Park promises numerous easy trails, ranging from a quarter of a mile to three miles. At half of a mile, McCune Run Trail provides sweeping views of a wetland meadow and a now-abandoned beaver pond. If the kids are still up for hiking, continue on to the Davis Run Trail, to which the McCune Run Trail connects. The Davis Run Trail is three miles (and is considered easy). Here's the official website of Keystone State Park.
6. Buttermilk Falls – 570 Valley Brook Rd, New Florence, PA, 15944
Flickr/Joanna Poe
The highlight of Buttermilk Falls Natural Area is, undoubtedly, the 40-foot Buttermilk Falls. At approximately half of a mile, the trail features several stone stairs, plenty of greenery, and an old stone quarry. Enjoy views of the waterfall from all angles, including from above. Stop by the official website of Buttermilk Falls Natural Area for more information.
7. Lower Panther Hollow Trail – Pittsburgh, PA, 15213
All Trails/Bryce Babbs
Schenley Park offers plenty to do for the entire family, especially during the summer months. Bring the kids along to go swimming in the pool and to play at the playground. Then embark on the 1.2-mile Lower Panther Hollow Trail. The easy trail passes along a picturesque stream. Find more information on the official website of Schenley Park.

What other kid-friendly hikes around Pittsburgh would you recommend to other Pittsburghers? Do you agree these are some of the best hikes in Pittsburgh for kids? Let us know in the comments! Then read about 10 kid-friendly destinations in Pittsburgh that are just as fun for the adults.

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More to Explore

Best Hikes In Pittsburgh

Beth Price-Williams | March 25, 2022

What are the best easy hikes near Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh offers a little something for everyone, but sometimes we just want to venture beyond the city limits and immerse ourselves in nature. One of the best places to drink in views of Western Pennsylvania’s gorgeous landscape is atop Mount Davis, the highest point in Pennsylvania. A short stroll will take you straight to those views, or you can opt for a scenic, albeit pretty easy, four-mile hike. Ohiopyle State Park, just over an hour from downtown Pittsburgh, is always a favorite, and one of the best easy hikes near Pittsburgh is, hands down, the Meadow Run Trail. It tallies three miles and leads to the 30-foot Cucumber Falls and Meadow Run Natural Waterslides. If you’re visiting during the summer, bring your towel and swimsuit. The waterslides are perfect for cooling off on those hot days.

Are there scenic hikes at Moraine State Park near Pittsburgh?

Getting outdoors is welcomed, at least for most of us, in any season. If you’re up for a leisurely drive, of about an hour and a half, you’ll find no better destination than Moraine State Park in Portersville. It boasts some of the most beautiful hikes near Pittsburgh AND a whole lot of other family-friendly fun. Bring all of your beach gear during the summertime for a day of lounging on one of the two sandy beaches. Then, when you need to cool off, slip into the shimmering Lake Arthur. The massive lake is popular with swimmers, boaters, and kayakers. You can even go fishing. The series of hiking trails attract both hikers and bikers. During the summer months, you can grab a bite to eat from the snack bar at one of the beaches, or bring a picnic along. You’ll find picnic tables scattered throughout the park. If a single day at the park simply isn’t enough, rent one of the modern cabins that are available all year-around. Camping isn’t permitted in the park, although you’ll find several campgrounds nearby.

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Featured Addresses
187 Fall Run Road, Glenshaw, PA 15116
3000 PA-18, Hookstown, PA 15050
570 Valley Brook Rd, New Florence, PA 15944
1150 Keystone Park Road, Derry, PA 15627
614 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238