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Pittsburgh Metro

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Pittsburgh is home to quite a unique mountain biking experience such that many people wouldn't necessarily associate it with the area. There is a growing cycling scene in Pittsburgh, with mountain biking growing in popularity in the area. There are enduro-style technical trails, smooth cross-country, skills parks, and everything in between. Each of the different parks has a unique flavor to it, and as such, riders should have a good understanding of what the park has to offer before attempting to ride. Not all parks have good beginner-style trails.

The most popular place to ride in Pittsburgh is at North Park, home to The Dr J Freeride Trail, North Park Freeride Area Skills Park, Denny's Trail, Back 9 Ride, V8 Trail, Rainbow and Pfundstein Red-Blue Trail, among others. North Park has a bike specific cafe (see below). North Park is a great place to take a beginner, especially on the trails near the pool (referred to as the South Ridge).

The best option to ride near the city is at Frick Park. Frick Park Singletrack is unique because of it's close proximity to the city center, yet it's feeling of complete singletrack isolation. The trails at Frick Park are a little more intermediate and advanced level, with off-camber trails, technical features, and short, steep drops. You should definitely try Iron Gate, Roller Coaster, Bradema, and 276 (although, be warned that 276 has a creek crossing and runs parallel to 376). The best approach at Frick is to ride the singletrack down the ridge and then take a fire road climb back to the top.

There are many good places for intermediate riders to get their feet wet. Boyce Park-Soccer Field Trails and many of the other trails at Boyce Park are good places to experience fun singletrack trails in the area. There are trails at Deer Lakes, Hartwood Acres, Hollow Oak Land Trust, Oakmont, among others.

The best places to ride after rain at Riverview Park and Bavington State Park. At Riverview, many people will use the road to climb to the top, and then follow a descent ride like Riverview Descent back down. Take a few laps and have fun! At Bavington (aka Hillman State Park), the Bavington - Five Points Trails are a good warm up for seeing what's at Bavington. The Old Airport Trail is also a good place to ride at Bavington.

Two trail systems that are undergoing a slight revitalization are South Park and Settlers Cabin. At South Park, the Fair Grounds Trail, Warm up Loop, and Buffalo Ridge Trail are great trails to try. South Park has a lot of equestrian use, so be sure to remember your trail etiquette when encountering other trail users.

The most technical trails exist at Moraine State Park. Moraine has lots of available trails, but the red blazed trails, in particular, are some of the rockiest and rootiest trails in the east!

As with all trail systems, you need to keep an eye out on hunting regulations. You are most likely to experience trail closures from September to January. Bavington/Hillman and Moraine State Park are the most likely to have hunting restrictions. Check with the state game commission for more information. Because of the culture in PA, anybody in the woods during hunting season should at least wear bright colors to distinguish themselves from game.

The Allegheny County Parks do not allow parking on the grass. They issue very large fines for violating this.

The only two county parks that allow night riding are North Park and South Park. You must park in appropriate areas.

Food & Drink

Pennsylvania and the county of Allegheny have strict open-consumption laws. In Allegheny County parks, an alcohol permit is typically required to consume alcohol.

Outfitters, Tours, & Shuttles

The trails generally mush out in the winter, although places like Bavington, Riverview, some trails in North Park, and Frick remain rideable in the winter. You can also check out the indoor bike park The Wheel Mill for winter riding ( thewheelmill.com/).

The local shops that support trail building include ProBikes ( probikesllc.com/), Trek/Top Gear ( topgearbicycleshop.com/), Dirty Harry's ( dirtyharrys.net/), and Thick Bikes ( thickbikes.com/).

Maps & Guidebooks

There isn't a go-to guidebook or map for the area. The best place to get information is here on MTB Project or through Trail Pittsburgh's website ( trailpittsburgh.org/). Pittsburgh is unique in that there are two bicycle themed restaurants in the area. There is a Bicycle Cafe called OTB ( otbbicyclecafe.com/) with locations in the Southside and at the North Park boat house.

Recommended Routes in Pittsburgh Metro - 16

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite a nice example of some of the twisty singletrack you can look forward to.
Intermediate Intermediate

North Ridge Loop

8.8 mi 14.1 km 791' Up 241.15 m Up 789' Down 240.38 m Down

Wexford, PA
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Favorite This morning, I was late to work...
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Frick Park Singletrack

10.7 mi 17.2 km 1,154' Up 351.59 m Up 1,152' Down 351.26 m Down

Wilkins…, PA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Rarely ridden trail section.
Intermediate Intermediate

South Park Big Loop

11.6 mi 18.7 km 974' Up 296.87 m Up 972' Down 296.33 m Down

Bethel…, PA
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Favorite Hemlocks Trail.
Intermediate Intermediate

Montour Woods

5.8 mi 9.3 km 741' Up 225.97 m Up 743' Down 226.59 m Down

Coraopolis, PA
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Favorite a nice example of some of the twisty singletrack you can look forward to.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

North Park Outer Loop with V8

18.9 mi 30.5 km 1,290' Up 393.3 m Up 1,289' Down 393 m Down

Allison…, PA
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Favorite Enjoying the beautiful fall day!
Intermediate Intermediate

White Oak Park Tour

8.6 mi 13.8 km 740' Up 225.57 m Up 738' Down 224.81 m Down

White Oak, PA
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Favorite One of the banked turns on Dr J Freeride Trail
Easy Easy

North Park Beginner Pool Loop

1.7 mi 2.7 km 74' Up 22.44 m Up 71' Down 21.6 m Down

Allison…, PA
Explore in 3D
Favorite One of the banked turns on Dr J Freeride Trail
Intermediate Intermediate

Fun Route - Good for Beginners

7.2 mi 11.5 km 527' Up 160.67 m Up 534' Down 162.67 m Down

Wexford, PA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day at North Park
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Denny's Trail

2.1 mi 3.4 km 222' Up 67.57 m Up 205' Down 62.46 m Down

Allison…, PA
Explore in 3D

Pittsburgh Metro Biking

  • 462 Miles 743 Kilometers of Trail
  • 16 Recommended Routes
  • 125 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 278 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 41 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Areas Within Pittsburgh Metro

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Trails in Pittsburgh Metro - 428

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1.0 mi 1.6 km #1Iron Gate
Intermediate Intermediate
Homestead, PA
Intermediate Intermediate
Homestead, PA 46 
0.3 mi 0.5 km #2The Dr J Freeride Trail
Difficult Difficult
Allison Park, PA
Difficult Difficult
Allison Park, PA 21 
1.3 mi 2.1 km #3276
Difficult Difficult
Swissvale, PA
Difficult Difficult
Swissvale, PA 22 
152.4 mi 245.3 km #4Great Allegheny Passage (GAP)
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Mount Oliver, PA
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Mount Oliver, PA 19 
1.0 mi 1.6 km #5Koto Buki Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Allison Park, PA
Intermediate Intermediate
Allison Park, PA 22 
0.1 mi 0.2 km #6North Park Freeride Area Skills Park
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Allison Park, PA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Allison Park, PA
6.0 mi 9.6 km #7North Ridge (Red/Blue Dot)
Intermediate Intermediate
Wexford, PA
Intermediate Intermediate
Wexford, PA 20 
1.0 mi 1.6 km #8Bradema
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Edgewood, PA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Edgewood, PA 17 
4.2 mi 6.7 km #9Montour Trail: Steward Road - Gill Hall Road
Intermediate Intermediate
South Park Township, PA
Intermediate Intermediate
South Park Township, PA
0.2 mi 0.3 km #10Solstice Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Wilkinsburg, PA
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Wilkinsburg, PA

Photos of Pittsburgh Metro - 289

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Photos

a nice example of some of the twisty singletrack you can look forward to.
Jul 8, 2013 near Gibsonia, PA
The Whale Tail Feature
Sep 3, 2014 near Allison…, PA
Entry filter feature
Sep 3, 2014 near Allison…, PA
Ladder bridge over log
Sep 3, 2014 near Allison…, PA
One of the banked turns on Dr J Freeride Trail
Sep 3, 2014 near Allison…, PA
The big ladder drop
Sep 3, 2014 near Allison…, PA
This morning, I was late to work...
Feb 11, 2017 near Edgewood, PA
Dropping in on the second drop.
Jul 8, 2020 near Allison…, PA

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