Explore the best rated trails in Wilkinsburg, PA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Panhandle Trail and Beaver River Trail . With more than 48 trails covering 4493 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Parked in Franklin and biked South to North Kent, and back, 12.5 miles one way. North Kent also known as Sunnyslope. Beautiful section of the trail. Not much shade for the first 8 miles though! This section of the trail is paved and in pretty good shape. Always and enjoyable ride!
This was my first time on this trail. The sides we mowed and you could tell that they have been maintaining the surface of the trail recently. This trail gives you nice scenic views of the Kiski river, but it is not super close to the river in most places.
The only potential downside is that the trail slopes up a good bit as you ride upstream, more than some other rail trails in this area.
We did only 10 miles today 10 miles up and 10 miles back, but I love this trail. They have rest stops every 3 miles which is great because you can use the bathroom. The trail was beautiful. We started from black lick. I can’t wait to ride the other side.
I rode the section from Dunbar to the GAP; except for the part by the railroad it's very pretty. But, today anyway, it was super soft. Like they'd laid a lot of sand & gravel and not packed it. A fine ride, but the softness made it hard going
This past Friday my buddy and I rode the entire Allegheny River Trail from Emlenton to Franklin and back - 54.4 miles. It was a great ride. The entire trail (with one exception) is paved and along the free-flowing Allegheny River the entire time. The river was a delight to view. The two tunnels on the trail are fantastic - large and long (6th and 9th longest bike tunnels in the country). The pavement through them has raised reflectors that your lights will light up and they are nice and cool on a hot day. I would say that about the southern two-thirds of the trail is well shaded but the northern section is more open and sunny.
The caveats with this trail are two. First, the root/frost heaves. This is basically a problem with the southern portion of the trail. Leaving from Emlenton they aren't too bad - lower and more rolling than sharp. After Rockland tunnel they are worse. We found that the east side of the trail was better for riding than the west side. After Kennerdell tunnel they lessened and eventually were mostly non-existent. We've had experience with heaves so nothing we haven't experienced before but it would be nice if they were ground down. The second caveat is the dirt/gravel road section. Coming from the south you immediately hit a climb so be prepared to gear down. This section is rough. It's a mix of dirt, gravel and embedded rocks. Fortunately, it's pretty short.
I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and would highly recommend it. If you're inclined after the ride, be sure to visit the Emlenton Brew Haus about a block from the beginning of the trail
Started in Emlenton and rode through the Rockland and Kennerdell tunnels to the gravel connector just past mile marker 110. Approximate 26 mile round trip. Quality light recommended for the tunnels. The trail surface is raised and buckled in a number of areas especially near the Emlenton end and detracts from what would otherwise be an outstanding ride.
Also took the gravel road near the northern entrance of the Rockland tunnel approximately up one half mile to the Rockland Furnace and Freedom Falls waterfall. The gravel road is a significant climb and the return descent can be challenging (caution required on bike - or walk) but the waterfall alone is worth the effort.
Loved this trail. The metal statues are such a nice addition and good reason to take a brief rest. Plenty of places for a picnic. Trails are well maintained. Great views throughout the trail. Historical information provided is interesting. Will definitely do this trail again.
We biked from Franklin, mile 0, South to Brandon at mile 10.5 and back. The first 8 miles traveling South are out in the open and not shaded.
Been at least 3 yrs since I did this trail, probably longer. Took off at Walkers Mill Rd lot and headed west. The part in Allegheny County is crushed limestone, quite decent shape (been very dry here lately), not many ridges, or bumps or washouts. The only unpleasant portion has a mix of old asphalt and gravel, that was quite bumpy for less than a full mile.
Once you reach Washington county, the trail turns to smooth asphalt and is great! Very beautiful, quiet, not very crowded (saw maybe 20 users over 2 hrs). Wildflowers of purple and yellow all along the trail in full bloom. Got close to a doe who was eating trailside and not scared by our presence.
Turned around after 12.5 miles, somewhere past Midway and near Bulger. Mostly downhill on way back so that is nice!
A friend and I rode the Armstrong Trail out and back from East Brady to Kittanning in June 2024. Temperatures were in the 90s with some humidity. Fortunately a fair amount of the trail had full or partial shade, even in the middle of the day.
On this stretch the trail surface is good, mostly packed dirt with occasional small or medium stones. At the north end of Kittanning, the pavement was quite rough from tree roots in places. At times the trail narrows to a track when coming to a crossing road.
The trail mostly follows the wide Allegheny River, a change from other regional rail-trails which follow creeks or small rivers. On the trail are a magnificent coaling tower at Redbank, a railroad turntable at Phillipston, and several locks and dams.
The trail passes through several towns, and past clusters of trailers and houses used as summer/weekend retreats. Their boats and jet skis were in use on the river.
Emlenton end of the trail, enjoy the shade! Parked in Emlenton at mile marker 27.5 (27.5 miles South of Franklin). Biked North to mile marker 13.5 at Kent South or Sunnyslope (take your pick what you call it) which is a 14 mile ride on this section. Very well shaded for most of it. Has 2 tunnels, each several thousand feet in length, bring a light. At Kent South there is a short section of gravel road through Sunnyslope to reconnect to the trail. From Emlenton traveling North you may experience some sections of the trail which are lifted from tree roots but it's not the entire length. Enjoy the ride this summer and soak up the shade, leave the sunscreen at home!
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