THREE RIVERS HERITAGE TRAIL:
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: August 13, 2024
Length: Allegheny & Ohio Rivers Segment; Northern Side; 6.6 miles
Allegheny River Segment; Southern Side; 2.3 miles & 0.5 mile
Monongahela River Segment; Western Side; 6.5 miles
Monongahela River Segment; Eastern Side; 3.7 miles
Hazelwood Trail; 1.9 miles
Junction Hollow Trail; 1.1 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Flat, paved or stone-dust trails.
Directions:
To Start from the Millvale Riverfront Park parking lot in Millvale for the Allegheny & Ohio Rivers Segment; Northern Side [Northeastern End];
From Route 28 Northbound take exit 3A to exit 3. Turn left on E Ohio St. Turn left on River Front Drive, cross the RR tracks and turn right. Several parking lots along the trail. Continue along the drive to the Park and pavilion.
From Route 28 Southbound take exit 3B. Continue straight on E Ohio St. Turn left on River Front Drive, cross the RR tracks and turn right. Several parking lots along the trail. Continue along the drive to the Park and pavilion.
To Start from the W Station Square Drive parking lots in South Shore for the Monongahela River Segment; Western Side [Northwestern End]; From Route 837 (Carson St) between I-376 and Route 19 turn down W Station Square Drive. This brings you to the DUQUESNE INCLINE parking lot (parking fee). If you continue down the road you'll come to a second parking lot (lower parking fee).
To Start from the Swinburne Street parking lot in South Oakland for the Monongahela River Segment; Eastern Side [Southeastern End], Junction Hollow Trail [Southern End] & access to the Hazelwood Trail [Northern End];
From I-376 Westbound take exit 73B to Bates St and turn right. Travel under the highway and turn left on 2nd Ave. Take your first left on Swinburne St. Travel back underneath the highway and take your first right into the parking lot. Trail starts at the end of the parking lot.
From I-376 Eastbound take exit 72A onto Forbes Ave. Turn right on Craft Ave then left on Blvd of the Allies. Turn right on Bates St then left on 2nd Ave. Take your first left on Swinburne St. Travel back underneath the highway and take your first right into the parking lot. Trail starts at the end of the parking lot.
There are numerous parking areas to access these trails from. See Map for locations. Pittsburgh's Bike Share bikes are located all along the trail. See; POGOH BIKE STATION .
The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is a greenway system in the Pittsburgh region running along both sides of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers. It is broken into segments; The Allegheny & Ohio Rivers Segment; Northern Side, travels along the North Side of the of the Ohio & Allegheny Rivers. The Allegheny River Segment; Southern Side, travels along the South Side of the of the Allegheny River. The Monongahela River Segment; Western Side, travels along the West Side of the of the Monongahela River, while the Monongahela River Segment; Eastern Side, travels along the East Side of the of the Monongahela River. This segment also includes the Hazelwood Trail & Junction Hollow Trail.
Three Rivers Heritage Trail, is part of the larger Great Allegheny Passage . The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) travels South for 150 miles between Pittsburgh, PA and Cumberland, MD. In Cumberland, the GAP joins the 185 mile C&O Canal Towpath, which travels South to Washington, DC. For more information visit; THREE RIVERS HERITAGE TRAIL .
Three Rivers Heritage Trail: Allegheny & Ohio Rivers Segment; Northern Side:
Starting from the Millvale Riverfront Park parking lot in Millvale [Northeastern End]; Restrooms and a pavilion are located here. Informational signs along the trail. Starting from the pavilion.
Note; Heading North, the stone-dust Three Rivers Heritage Trail travels between the Allegheny River on your right and Millville Riverfront Park to your left. The trail crosses River Front Drive and travels underneath the Washington Crossing Bridge (40th Street Bridge). Cross River Front Drive again enter a narrow isolated corridor at 0.4 miles. You emerge next to active RR tracks where they enter a tunnel underneath another set of tracks. The trail follows alongside the tracks before ending after 0.8 miles.
Heading South from the pavilion, the stone-dust Three Rivers Heritage Trail travels between the Northern Side of the Allegheny River on your left and Millville Riverfront Park parking lot to your right. Travel underneath the 40th Street Bridge. Pass by the Three River Rowing building before traveling underneath a RR bridge. Look left to spot a lower RR bridge that used to cross over to Herrs Island. A paved walkway then takes you alongside active RR tracks. The trail reverts to stone-dust as it travels underneath the 31st & 30th Street Bridges at 0.6 miles. Here the trail travels between River Ave and the river. Pass by a Spur Trail on you left at 1 mile.
Note; This Spur Trail takes you up a ramp to a pedestrian bridge over to Herrs Island (Washington's Landing) where you'll find walking paths.
Informational signs posted along the trail. Parking lots scattered along this section of trail as well. Travel underneath the 16th Street Bridge (painted the Pittsburgh yellow) at 1.7 miles. The trail briefly splits (either direction works, but left takes you past an overlook of the river). Travel underneath the Veterans Bridge (I-579) followed by a RR bridge at 2.1 miles. The trail is paved from here, with views of downtown Pittsburgh, across the river. The trail splits at the 9th Street Bridge. Bear left if biking. Travel underneath the 7th Street and 6th Street Bridges before passing by PNC PARK [Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates]. Continue alongside the river (Lots of side trails) past green areas, water features and boat docks. After traveling underneath the Fort Duquesne Bridge (I-279), you'll travel past a dock and Vietnam Veterans Memorial before coming to the Great Lawn at 3 miles.
Note; To access POINT STATE PARK turn right along the paved path that travels around the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Follow this path up to a brick walkway and travel straight to a ramp (next to N Shore Drive) that will take you up to a walkway alongside the Fort Duquesne Bridge and South over the river. At the end of the ramp stay straight, South (grassy circle along your right) and you'll come to a Map Board by the wide *Fort Pitt Plaza after 0.5 miles. Straight ahead is the FORT PITT BLOCK HOUSE . To your left, East, is a passageway underneath I-279 to a Great Lawn. Right, West, is a great expanse of lawn where Fort Duquesne once stood. Straight, South, leads to a ramp up to the Fort Pitt Bridge (I-376) which crosses the Monongahela River to the Monongahela River Segment; Western Side after 0.7 miles. Also continuing South, but bearing right, around the Fort Pitt Block House, then left around the Fort Pitt Museum, will take you down to the Monongahela River Segment; Eastern Side. If you follow this trail right, West, it will bring you to the Point SP fountain and Tip of Confluence (where all three rivers meet) after 0.8 miles and the start of the Allegheny River Segment; Southern Side.
Continuing past the Great Lawn you come to the confluence of the three Pittsburgh rivers; Allegheny River, Ohio River & Monongahela River. Nice views of the Point SP fountain across the Allegheny River. Pass by Acrisure Stadium [Home of the Pittsburgh Steelers] along the Northern Side of the Ohio River. The CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER follows, where you'll find the USS Requin submarine docked. Continue Northwest to a split in the trail. Left brings you down to an amphitheatre overlooking the river so bear right. This takes you past the RIVERS CASINO where you enter a more industrial area. Travel underneath the West End Bridge at 3.8 miles where the river views are limited. Pass by Peggy's Harbor followed by Oxline Street parking lot at 4.5 miles. Pass by the Branchport Boat Club (circular wood building). Travel underneath a RR bridge at 5.3 miles before passing by the gothic stone Western State Penitentiary. The new State Correctional Institution is actually built inside the walls of the old penitentiary. The trail currently ends after 5.8 miles at Westhall St.
Three Rivers Heritage Trail: Allegheny River Segment; Southern Side:
Starting from Point State Park [Southwestern End]; Informational signs along the trail.
Note; This is also the Northern End of the GREAT ALLEGANY PASSAGE , which utilizes the Monongahela River Segment; Eastern Side traveling Southeast, before crossing the Hot Metal Bridge over the river and utilizing the Monongahela River Segment; Western Side, continuing South.
Note; From *Fort Pitt Plaza travel South, but bearing right, around the Fort Pitt Block House, then left around the Fort Pitt Museum, down to the Monongahela River Segment; Northern Side. If you follow this trail right, West, it will bring you to the Point SP fountain and Tip of Confluence (where all three rivers meet) after 0.4 miles and the start of the Allegheny River Segment; Southern Side.
From the Tip of Confluence (where all three rivers meet; Allegheny River, Ohio River & Monongahela River) travel Northeast, along the paved Three Rivers Heritage Trail, alongside the Allegheny River. Nice views of the North Shore and Heinz Field across the river. Pass by a promenade overlooking the river and just before you pass underneath Fort Duquesne Bridge (I-279) at 0.2 miles look right to spot a paved path.
Note; This path will take you up to a ramp, where you'll bear right into the park. This will take you back to *Fort Pitt Plaza. If you head left, North, you'll pass by a grass circle to a ramp. This will take you up and over the Fort Duquesne Bridge (I-279), across the Allegheny River to the Allegheny River Segment; Northern Side after 0.7 miles.
Travel underneath the bridge and along a narrow cement corridor underneath the highway ramp. Views of PNC Park across the river. Travel underneath the 6th Street Bridge at 0.6 miles followed by the 7th & 9th Street Bridges before passing by the Convention Center where the trail improves.
Note; A passageway underneath the convention center brings you out to 10th St in downtown.
Travel under a RR bridge at 1 mile followed by the Veterans Bridge (I-579) & 16th Street Bridge. Nice park like promenade along this section. Pass by a more industrial area with old brick mill buildings. Pass by some converted mills where the trail turns to stone-dust, then comes to 25th St at 2 miles. I haven't checked this next section. The stone-dust trail continues to 27th St, past which it briefly travels between old RR tracks and abruptly ends as of June 2022, after 2.3 miles.
Note; As of June 2022, a gap exists between here and a short section in Lawrenceville further North. That section travels from around 36th St 0.5 miles to 43rd St. I haven't checked out that section.
Three Rivers Heritage Trail: Monongahela River Segment; Western Side:
Starting from W Station Square Drive parking lot [Northern End]; You can access the DUQUESNE INCLINE from the parking lot. Informational signs along the trail.
Note; If you follow the sidewalk out to Lincoln Hwy (Route 837) and head left, East, it will take you up to and across the Fort Pitt Bridge (I-376), then down to the *Fort Pitt Plaza after 0.7 miles. Here you can access both the Monongahela River Segment; Eastern Side & Allegheny River Segment; Southern Side.
The paved Three Rivers Heritage Trail travels East, alongside the Monongahela River. Travel past a second parking lot then underneath the Fort Pitt Bridge (I-376) and past Highmark Stadium. Pass by riverboats and the Station Square plaza where you'll find an old red caboose. After you travel underneath the Smithfield Street Bridge you'll come to an informational sign next to a large steel lung from an old blast furnace at 0.9 miles.
Note; If you follow the small path next to the steel lung South, it will take you alongside the parking lot to E Carson St. Turn right, North and a ramp leads up to and across the Smithfield Street Bridge where you can connect to the Monongahela River Segment; Eastern Side after 0.5 miles or access downtown.
Continue past two more old rail cars before traveling underneath a RR bridge and coming to the Liberty Bridge at 1.2 miles. A short on-road detour begins here. Just follow the posted route signs. Turn right along 2nd St, then left on McKean St and left along 4th St. Cross the RR tracks where you'll return to the paved trail at 1.5 miles. Map Board & POGOH BIKE STATION located here. Travel along the narrow band of South Side Riverfront Park and the active RR tracks where you'll find plenty of parking lots. Travel underneath the 10th Street Bridge and come to the South Side Boat Launch parking lot at 2.6 miles. Several parallel trails travels through this park, however, for the official trail bear right, utilizing the green crosswalks. Travel underneath the Birmingham Bridge, where a stone-dust jogging path joins the trail. This next section has changed since I was here. Come to a multi-layered promenade that overlooks the river, with shops above at 3.3 miles. The trail turns South, as you come to Hot Metal St and S Water St at 3.5 miles. The Hot Metal Bridge is on your left.
Note; The GREAT ALLEGANY PASSAGE comes in from the South here, before crossing over the Hot Metal Bridge.
Note; A pedestrian walkway travels alongside the Hot Metal Bridge and will take you East, across the river. After crossing the bridge you come to an *Intersection. Straight, a bridge takes you over 2nd Ave, to the Monongahela River Segment; Eastern Side. Right, South, takes you to the Swinburne Street parking lot. Turning left at the *Intersection brings you down to 2nd Ave, where you can access the Hazelwood Trail. See Below.
This was as far as I traveled. The paved Three Rivers Heritage Trail passes by another old piece of machinery, before continuing South between the river and S Water St. At 4.3 miles you lose the road and soon travel between the river and active RR tracks. Travel underneath the Glenwood Bridge, after 6.5 miles, where the Three Rivers Heritage Trail ends and the GREAT ALLEGANY PASSAGE continues South.
Three Rivers Heritage Trail: Monongahela River Segment; Eastern Side:
Starting from Point State Park [Northwestern End]; Informational signs along the trail.
Note; This is also the Northern End of the GREAT ALLEGANY PASSAGE , which utilizes the Monongahela River Segment; Eastern Side traveling Southeast, before crossing the Hot Metal Bridge over the river and utilizing the Monongahela River Segment; Western Side, continuing South.
From the Tip of Confluence (where all three rivers meet; Allegheny River, Ohio River & Monongahela River) travel Southeast, along the paved Three Rivers Heritage Trail, alongside the Monongahela River. Come to the Fort Pitt Bridge after 0.3 miles.
Note; Left, North, takes you around the Fort Pitt Museum and past the Fort Pitt Block House to *Fort Pitt Plaza. To your right, East, is a passageway underneath I-279 to a Great Lawn. Right, West, is a great expanse of lawn where Fort Duquesne once stood. Straight, North, leads to a ramp up to the Fort Duquesne Bridge and across the Allegany River where you can connect to the Allegheny River Segment; Northern Side. Heading back South, bur bearing left, a ramp will take you up to the Fort Pitt Bridge (I-376) which crosses the Monongahela River to the Monongahela River Segment; Western Side after 0.7 miles.
Continue Southeast, underneath Fort Pitt Bridge (I-376) where you travel alongside the river and below I-376. This is not a very scenic section. Travel underneath the Smithfield Street Bridge, where a ramp brings you up to this bridge at 0.9 miles.
Note; You can cross the Smithfield Street Bridge to connect to the Monongahela River Segment; Western Side.
The trail now travels down alongside the Fort Pitt Blvd ramp to Grant St. A green crosswalk will get you to the trail as it travels a corridor between the highway and buildings. Travel underneath a RR bridge at 1.1 miles.
Note; Left, North, will take you out to 1st Ave in downtown.
Travel underneath the Liberty Bridge and I-376, before you travel alongside I-376. Travel underneath the 10th Street Bridge, followed by the Birmingham Bridge at 2.5 miles. Come to a ramp at 3.4 miles.
Note; This ramp will take you up and over 2nd Ave to an *Intersection. Continuing straight, West, along the Hot Metal Bridge, you cross the river, where you can connect to the Monongahela River Segment; Western Side. This is also where the GREAT ALLEGANY PASSAGE continues South. Turning right at the *Intersection brings you down to 2nd Ave, where you can connect to the access the Hazelwood Trail. See Below.
The trail turns South, below I-376 along your left and above 2nd Ave along your right. Come to a Map Board where the trail splits. Both trails cross old RR bridges over Swinburne St, bringing you to the Swinburne Street parking lot after 3.7 miles.
Note; You may also access the Junction Hollow Trail which brings you to Schenley Park. I haven't checked out this trail. Exit the parking lot and head left along a narrow paved trail along Swinburne St to 2nd Ave. Here a SEPARATED BIKE PATH takes you left to Greenfield Ave and left along Saline St. Just before a bridge overhead pick up the paved trail on your left after 0.4 miles through Four Mile Run Park. Travel underneath I-376 where another short, SEPARATED BIKE PATH follows Boundary St, before you travel underneath a RR bridge and pick up the paved trail on your right. Pass by the Schenley Park parking lot on your left as you travel North through the park, past a sport field. Follow an open trail through the woods, coming to Boundary St after 1.1 miles and the end of the trail.
Three Rivers Heritage Trail: Hazelwood Trail:
Starting from the Hot Metal Bridge *Intersection; I haven't checked out this section. Travel down to 2nd Ave and head right across the bridge ramp to the start of the narrow, stone-dust Hazelwood Trail. The trail travels West towards the river, then South alongside some RR tracks. This brings you to Blair St at 0.4 miles, where the paved trail continues alongside the road. Pass by the old Monongahela Connecting Railroad Roundhouse & Turntable on your left at 0.8 miles. Part of the J&L Steel Mill, the 10-bay roundhouse originally serviced and turned train engines, redirecting the materials they carried to different stops in the production process. See; ONE VALLEY . Travel underneath a RR bridge and past a couple of promenades that appear to be connected by a narrow walking path. Come to Hazelwood Ave after 1.6 miles and turn left, East, following a BIKE LANE to Gloster St in Hazelwood. Pick up the narrow, stone-dust trail on your right, heading South alongside Gloster St. Come to Tecumseh St at 1.9 miles.
Note; The narrow trail continues right, West, but soon dead ends.
Note; Another section of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, the Duck Hollow Trail is further South in Hazelwood, but can not be accessed from it's Western End. See; FRIENDS OF THE RIVERFRONT . I haven't checked out this trail.
HH
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