Well, warmer days are here and rolling along, but, before you know it, we’ll be bombarded with back-to-school ads, sales pitches for fall clothing, and Halloween candy in stores. So, we’ve got to make the most of every sun-kissed moment while we can! If you’re looking for the best hikes in Pittsburgh for a warm day, you’ve come to the perfect place! Here are seven of the most beautiful places around Pittsburgh for a good hike:

1. Meadow Run – Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiopyle State Park, 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470, USA
All Trails/Derrick Johns
Meadow Run Trail, nestled in Ohiopyle State Park, offers everything a perfect summer hike should: Waterfalls, cascades, and a natural waterslide. The 2.9-mile loop trail appeals to hikers, joggers, and walkers of all ages and abilities. Drink in spectacular views of the Youghiogheny River. And, if you're a daredevil, slip into the Meadow Run Natural Waterslides. Finish your hike at Cucumber Falls, a majestic waterfall that drops 30 feet.
2. Tranquil Trail – Frick Park
Frick Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15217, USA
Flickr/sk
Frick Park provides the perfect setting for having a picnic, playing with the kids, and going for a leisurely stroll. Tranquil Trail will lead you through the leafy-green of Frick Park. The gravel trail spans 2.6 miles round-trip. And, whether you're on your own or you've got little ones, you'll find it's an easy, predominately flat trail.
3. Braille Trail – North Park
303 Pearce Mill Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101, USA
All Trails/Ramakrishna Bollineni
Explore the Braille Trail Loop in North Park. The trail, rated easy, stretches just over half a mile. It was designed with the seeing-impaired in mind. So, expect to see guiding wire along the right side of the entire trail. Along the trail, you'll also find wildflowers and plenty of trees.

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4. Lotus Trail – Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, 799 Pinkerton Run Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15071, USA
Facebook/Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Feel a million miles away from civilization when you embark on any of the trails at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. The Lotus Trail, for example, will take you from the Welcome Center through a flat path, surrounded by lush green trees. Some of the sights along the trail include the Lotus Pond and the Asian Woodlands.
5. Fall Run Trail – Fall Run Park
Fall Run Park, 187 Fall Run Rd, Glenshaw, PA 15116, USA
All Trails/Christopher Collins
Get ready for spectacular views of the only waterfall in Allegheny County. Just follow the Fall Run Trail, which spans 1.4 miles. Along the way, you'll cross wooden footbridges and streams, culminating with picture perfect views of the 30-foot Fall Run Waterfall. For views from above, just climb up the relatively new staircase.
6. Spring Hollow – Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614 Dorseyville Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, USA
All Trails/Matthew Repack
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve in Fox Chapel offers plenty of opportunities to experience the sheer beauty of nature. The nature preserve boasts several hiking trails, including the Spring Hollow Trail. Spring Hollow spans less than half of a mile. But you'll have plenty to see - a pond, a stream, and a treehouse are just the beginning.
7. Tour Trail – Powdermill Nature Reserve
Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 PA-381, Rector, PA 15677, USA
Facebook/Powdermill Nature Reserve
Looking for a fun way to spend the day? Head to Powdermill Nature Reserve, a part of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Explore the nature reserve by embarking on one of the hiking trails. The Tour Trail, for example, stretches half a mile and features a slight elevation of only 50 feet. And, you'll get to see lush green, native plants, and even wildlife.

The best hikes in Pittsburgh (and a bit further afield) provide fun, relaxing ways to spend the hours of a warm day. Which hikes would you say are the best hikes in Pittsburgh? Or, do you have another favorite summer hike? Share in the comments! Then, read about the seven kid-friendly hikes in Pittburgh that also belong on your warm-weather to-do list.

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More to Explore

Best Hikes in Pittsburgh

Tori Jane | May 03, 2022

What are some of the greatest kid-friendly hikes around Pittsburgh?  

Pennsylvania is a beautiful place, and Pittsburgh is an absolutely stunning little slice of it. Our state might be small, but it’s jam-packed with excellent hiking trails. Many of those hiking trails around Pittsburgh are kid-friendly and easy enough for the entire family to do, like Spring Hollow Trail at the Beechwood Farms Nature Preserve. Of all the trails at said preserve, that one is the easiest, and definitely the favorite among families with kiddos. Also do the McCune Run Trail at Keystone State Park, which is just a half-mile long and provides amazing views of wetland meadows and a now-abandoned beaver pond! Finally, be sure to look into the incredibly popular Buttermilk Falls hike at Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, which features a 40-foot-tall waterfall and an easy half-mile hike to get there. These easy hikes in Pittsburgh are true gems, and we think the whole family will love them. 

What are the most popular easy hikes in Pittsburgh?  

Who doesn’t love a nice, easy hike? We sure do, and hikers agree – few trails in this world are as amazing as hiking trails near Pittsburgh tend to be. A couple of the most popular easy hikes in Pittsburgh include the Riverview Park Loop Trail, at Riverview Park, which is a 2.7-mile, highly pleasant trot through a scenic city park. We also love the Three Rivers Heritage Trail on the Monongahela South Shore at Southside Riverfront Park, which is a lovely waterfront boardwalk trek leading through beautiful scenery that will make you fall in love with the city all over again.  

What are the best scenic hikes in Pittsburgh?  

Honestly, isn’t every hike around here a scenic hike? We think so, but if you’re looking for specifics, we have some of those, too. We love classic scenic hikes in Pittsburgh like the Frick Park Loop Trail, which is just under five miles in length (4.9 miles long) and features boardwalks, lush greenery, and absolutely gorgeous scenery. There’s also the Cucumber Falls Trail, which really isn’t a hike so much as a very scenic stroll. Nevertheless, it’s a delight, and well worth the effort – even the part where you have to climb back up the stairs on your way back. It’s one of the most beautiful waterfalls near Pittsburgh, though, so it’s worth the effort!  

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