bicycle paths

My husband and I were reading about the heritage trail bicycle paths on the river and were wondering if these paths are scenice, mostly flat, all paved or gravel and if its a nice ride. We like to do about 15 miles or so and thought this trail by the river may be nice,

bicycle paths

I really enjoy the city bike trails. They are mostly flat and mostly paved. I%26#39;ve done a ride a couple of times this summer that I really enjoyed - start at the South Side boat launch off Carson Street and proceed east past South Side Works. Turn left over the Hot Metal Bridge onto the Eliza Furnace Trail (there is a bike rental along this trail, btw). You%26#39;ll come to a light and cross a city street -it will look like you are going onto a sidewalk but this will take you onto the Smithfield Street Bridge (not in traffic). Do a sharp left at the end of the bridge then ride down to the trail (this takes a bit of jiggering, you may have to walk your bike a bit.) Turn right and follow the trail back to the start.

This is about 8 miles. Two ways you can extend this: when you turn off the Smithfield Street Bridge, bear left. You%26#39;ll pass Station Square and get a nice view of downtown. Follow this to the incline parking lot then turn around. Also, when you get to the Hot Metal Bridge you can continue straight, this will take you past the Steelers training facility and into an area that%26#39;s almost rural looking (despite the train tracks) with a nice view of the river. At the end, turn around. All in all you might get 15 miles in.

There is also a nice trail on the North Side with good views of downtown; just go to PNC Park and face the river and walk toward it. Hit the trail and go either way.

There is a web site with maps, look under Friends of the Riverfront. As you can tell, I love the city trails!

bicycle paths

I pretty much do the same thing as Penzgirl...all all relativly flat (a little uphill climb going on the ramps across the Hot Metal Street Bridge but nothing major).

All of the trails along the Mon River are paved (with the exception of a very small section that is crushed gravel because of a short detour).

On the Allegheny river side, again mostly paved near the stadiums but a small section is curshed gravel near the Heinz plant.

To get to the boat ramp, you%26#39;ll want to follow the signs on East Carson Street. The boat ramp lot is off of 18th and Carson under the Birmingham bridge.

Great trails in and around the Pittsburgh area. ENJOY!