Hiking

While Pennsylvania's highest elevation is only 3,200 feet, the sheer number and density of its hills and ravines gives it one of the most dramatic changes in elevation per linear mile of any state in the country. Case in point—there are 712 outdoor stairways within Pittsburgh's city limits, totalling 24,090 vertical feet. Many are considered part of the local transit system, and they are a great way to start exploring the city on foot.

The City:

The Three Rivers Heritage Trail System is a 37-mile trail and greenway system in Downtown Pittsburgh running along both sides of the Allegheny, Mononghahela and Ohio Rivers, that connects downtown to adjacent city areas including Oakland, the North Shore, the South Side and the Strip District.

The Steel Valley Trail is a developing 19-mile urban trail system that will connect with the Three Rivers Heritage Trail System and other regional trails, and will pass through the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area in the Monongahela Valley, a scenic route which was once the heart of the Pittsburgh steel empire.

Allegheny County:

The Allegheny County Parks Department maintains nine county parks in the greater Pittsburgh area, which feature varied topography and hundreds of miles of trails. The Montour Trail stretches for 42 miles between Coraopolis and Clairton and is expanding each year. The graded, crushed limestone trail was first established in 1989 and is intended for all types of non-motorized recreation.

The Rachel Carson Trail is a 35.7-mile day-hike trail connecting North Park in central Allegheny County to Harrison Hills County Park in its northeast corner. The route ranges from paved areas to rugged terrain and steep inclines.

The Western Pennsylvania Region:

Pennsylvania's beautiful state parks offer scenic and challenging hikig opportunities. Ohiopyle State Park features the Youghiogheny River Trail, a 71-mile trail that winds through Allegheny, Westmoreland and Fayette Counties. Called "one of the world's best walks" by Travel and Leisure Magazine, the trail is among the most popular in the area and draws more than 200,000 visitors annually.

The Youghiogheny River Trail, along with the Montour Trail and the Three Rivers Heritage Trail System, are all part of the Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile rails to trails project which, when completed in late 2006, will connect Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD, and create a continuous non-motorized corridor from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C.

To the north, the Baker Trail is a 141-mile hiking and backpacking trail following forest paths, old jeep trails and dirt roads through woods, farmlands, along rivers and creeks. The route is one of 18 state-designated hiking trails and is included on the trails map of Pennsylvania. The Baker Trail connects to and shares several miles with the North Country Trail, a 4,600-mile trail project spanning seven northern states. The trail traverses Lawrence, Beaver and Butler counties before entering the Allegheny National Forest and heading north into New York State.