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Trail organization
Montour Trail Council, PO Box 11866, Pittsburgh PA 15228-0866. (412) 257-2328 for voicemail system, (412) 831-2030 for information. Membership: $25/year individual, $35/year family

Special Comments

The abandoned rights-of-way of the Montour Railroad and the Peters Creek Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad make a sweeping crescent around the western and southern suburbs of Pittsburgh, dipping back and forth between Allegheny and Washington Counties.

The Montour Trail system follows this route and will offer 54.5 miles of trail, including 46.5 miles of main line and 8 miles of spurs. The planned route runs from Coraopolis on the Ohio River to Clairton on the Monongahela River. From Coraopolis along Montour Run to Imperial the trail is primarily rural except for the area near the Parkway. From Imperial south and west, under US22 into Washington County south to McDonald then east to Cecil, it’s extremely rural and agricultural, with some restored strip mines and small mining towns. As it enters Peters Township and approaches US19 it becomes suburban residential until it re-enters Allegheny County near South Park. From South Park to Clairton it’s again more rural.

Robinson-Moon-Findlay-North Fayette Section

Along Montour Run from near Coraopolis on the Ohio River to west of Imperial in Allegheny County

The longest completed segment of the Montour Trail is the westernmost, running from mile 0 near Coraopolis to mile 11.5 west of Imperial. It follows Montour Run, beginning near the Ohio River, passing under the Parkway West to Imperial, then continuing west along South Fork Montour Run to a point near the intersection of US22 and PA980 at the Allegheny County line. It's finished in crushed limestone, 10 feet wide.

Location: Along Montour Run in Robinson, Moon, Findlay and North Fayette Townships, Allegheny County Trailheads: Groveton, Montour Run Exit of Parkway, Enlow, Boggs Rd near BFI landfill Length/Surface: 11.4 miles, packed crushed stone Character: Uncrowded, rural to wooded, mixed shade and sun, flat Usage restrictions: Horses ok on grass—stay off improved surface; no motorized vehicles; no snowmobiles Amenities: Rest rooms, water, bike rental, food, lodging, fishing Driving time from Pittsburgh: 30 minutes west

Quicksilver-McDonald Section

Quicksilver to McDonald Trestle

One of the more remote stretches of the Montour Trail, this section parallels PA980 through an area of former strip mines. The road is never far away, but it is never intrusive. A creek and often some buildings separate the trail from the road, so you can concentrate on the surrounding scenery and nature's success in restoring the land.

Location: Robinson Township, Washington County Trailheads: Near Quicksilver, under McDonald trestle Length/Surface: 3.0 miles, packed crushed stone Character: Little-used, rural, sunny, flat Usage restrictions: No motorized vehicles; no snowmobiles Amenities: Rest rooms Driving time from Pittsburgh: 40 minutes south-southwest

Cecil Township Trail

Cecil Township Park to Hendersonville in Washington County

After a 5-mile gap from McDonald, the Montour Trail resumes behind Cecil Township Park. To reach the trail there, start from Cecil Park on the south side of PA50, in the village of Venice. From here it runs 4.4 miles to Hendersonville and an additional 1.5 miles to Chartiers Ck. The trail itself is packed crushed limestone 10 feet wide, except in the tunnel. It is complemented by extensive signage and landscaping.

Location: Cecil Township, Washington County Trailheads: Cecil Township Park, Dacor Dr, McConnell Rd, Hendersonville Length/Surface: 5.9 miles, packed crushed stone Character: Busy, suburban to wooded, sunny, flat Usage restrictions: Horses ok on grass—stay off improved surface; no motorized vehicles; no snowmobiles Amenities: Rest rooms, water, food Driving time from Pittsburgh: 35 minutes south-southwest

Arrowhead Trail

Town of McMurray in Washington County

This popular trail runs through residential areas of Peters Township. Frequent informal side routes provide local access. Expect lots of company on the trail, including pedestrians, dog-walkers, and rollerbladers. It's well laid out, with a good asphalt surface and extensive landscaping. The northern part is 11’ wide; the southern end 8’. There is so much traffic that a striped center line has been added to remind people to stay right. Although nearly flat, the trail has enough curves and alternations between residential and wooded areas to remain interesting. Trees keep it reasonably well shaded. Considering the amount of development nearby, the trail feels very rural.

Location: Peters Township, Washington County Trailheads: Pelipetz Rd, Brush Run Rd Length/Surface: 3.2 miles paved, 7 miles planned Character: Busy, urban, shady, flat Usage restrictions: No motorized vehicles; no snowmobiles; no horses; 20 mph limit for bicycles Amenities: Rest rooms, water, bike rental, food Driving time from Pittsburgh: 45 minutes south-southwest

Trail organization: This section of the Montour Trail is owned and independently operated by Peters Township. Contact Peters Township Department of Parks and Recreation, 610 East McMurray Rd, McMurray PA 15317, (412) 942-5000

Bethel Park Spur

Southern part of Bethel Park Township in Allegheny County

The Arrowhead Trail splits at Library Junction, with the northern branch connecting with the Brush Run trailhead and the eastern branch connecting (eventually) with the main leg of the Montour Trail. Across Brush Run Rd from the parking lot, the trail goes down a short steep hill, then is mostly level as it heads west, then north, then northeast to the intersection of Logan and Patterson Rds. The first 0.8 mile is in Peters Township, hence part of the Arrowhead Trail. At the county line, the trail becomes the Bethel Park Spur, and it follows the railroad grade for 2.1 miles until the railroad grade disappears in an industrial park.

Location: Bethel Park Township, Allegheny County Trailheads: Brush Run Rd Length/Surface: 1 mile packed crushed stone; 2.1 miles under design Character: Little-used, suburban, shady, flat Usage restrictions: No motorized vehicles; no snowmobiles Amenities: Food Driving time from Pittsburgh: 45 minutes south

South Park Section

Along Piney Fork in South Park Township in Allegheny County

The seed of the South Park section of the Montour Trail has been sown with a mile and a half of trail. It runs beside Piney Fork Ck, parallel to Brownsville-Library Rd and Piney Fork Rd. There are currently two access points, one near the Bethel Park and South Park sewer plant on Piney Fork Rd, and the other at Triphammer Rd. Access at the west endpoint won't be available until a bridge is rebuilt.

Location: South Park Township, Allegheny County Trailheads: Stewart Rd, Piney Fork Rd, Triphammer Rd Length/Surface: 1.5 miles developed; packed crushed stone Character: Little-used, suburban, shady, flat Usage: restrictions No motorized vehicles; no snowmobiles Amenities: Rest rooms, water, food Driving time from Pittsburgh: 45 minutes south

This information provided from and with the permission of Mary Shaw and Roy Weil. For more information on bike trails in Western Pennsylvania, order their book, "FreeWheeling Easy in Western Pennsylvania," the definative guide to local biking.