This just a great place to either bike or to walk along at anytime of the year. If I had to pick times of the year to really experience the trail it would be at the height of the fall season followed by the cool days of summer. The colors are just so wonderful to behold, besides kicking through the leaves as they had fallen from the trees. Returning in the hot summer months you can experience the cool mountain breezes and the roar of the water rushing over the rocks. The view from the bridge over the Yough River is great, and a slight detour to the falls will make it even better.
This spur of the Montour Trail in Bethel Park gets lots of use and for very good reason. Users enjoy a lovely scenic walk free from motorized vehicle traffic. Walk safely with fitness buffs, healthy seniors, babies in strollers, cyclists, whole families, a gaggle of friends, a cross section of the community. While you can easily take your morning walk on this section, the spur also connects to the main trail, which in turn connects to the route from Pittsburgh to Washington DC. This linear park, created and maintained by trail volunteers, is a community treasure.
All I can say is that this is one of the best rails to trails projects I have ever experienced. It is a joy to discover all this trail system has to offer. It is responsible for returning me to my bicycling roots. thank you!
Nice trail with plenty of parking along the way. Bring plenty of water as they don't have many places to find a fountain or shop nearby! Can be busy on certain weekdays but sometimes its peaceful after raining.
The montour trail is great for biking with your children and also walking. The trail is right up the street from my house.
The Montour Trail is almost complete with just a few areas left to develop. The trail surface is smooth since it is paved or crushed limstone. It is amazing to see the progress made over the last 5 years. Many thanks to the volunteers who build and maintain this great trail. The only area of concern for thru riders I see is the lack of directional signage when approaching/riding the road portions of the trail. this is especially true around Large PA were you cross Rt 51 and also around Library PA. There is minimal signage at roadway turns. If you are going to thru ride to the GAP or Panhandle Trail, do your homework first to map the road portions.
Born and raised in the south hills of Pittsburgh. The Montour Trail, Peters Trail and all of the trails in Pittsburgh are among the best things to happen to the region in my lifetime. I have ridden every trail and they are all mostly level, well maintained and very scenic. Two years ago my son and I rode from downtown Pittsburgh to Washington DC. Four of the best days of my life. Riding in Western PA is worth the trip from anywhere.
You can do it all on this beautiful trail. The train tunnel and bridge over the creek near the country club are some of the most beautiful sights along this tree filled, winding trail. It's quiet and the addition of new bridges makes it easy to stay on the trail from the Peters Township entry. We bike, walk, and run this section. Because it's crushed rock, you don't encounter many strollers to maneuver around...although I love seeing families on the trail. The Peters section of the trail (Arrowhead) is paved and so, easier for parents with strollers. We often take out of town visitors for a walk/bike ride here and get many envious remarks that we live so close to a great trail. Highly recommended.
I spend a lot of time hiking on this trail, which stretches for 60+ miles. If you can only hike on one area (there are a number of ingress/egress points for the trail), be sure to walk the viaduct in McDonald, PA.
Wife and I have walked and rode with our sins for over 20 years.This is the best time of year to take a ride on the trail.