Great Runs in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is a great city for running, with lots of variety. The “Steel City,” named due to its previous prominence in the steel industry, boasts city running along three rivers, many parks and trail runs, and hills, including a view of the city from the top of Mount Washington (elevation: 1123 ft). The Heritage Trail, sort of like the Charles River Trails in Boston, is downtown and takes advantage of the convergence of “three rivers”, with numerous options for good loops. There are other park runs and challenging hill runs easily accessible, especially on the “south side” of the Monogahela River. Note: running in Pittsburgh can be hilly!
Pittsburgh’s climate is similar to most northeast states: cold in the winter months, moderate in the spring and fall, and hot during the summer. Temperatures peak in July, with an average of 10 days over 90°F annually. During the summer months of July and August, the best time to run would be in the early morning before the heat proves too brutal.
The Iconic Runs
- Mount Washington “Top of the World” Run
- Three Rivers Heritage Trail: Strip District & North Side
- Three Rivers Heritage Trail: South Side
- Schenley Park, Universities Loop
- Lawrenceville Hospitals - Zoo & PPG Aquarium
The Routes
The Three Rivers Heritage Trail/Pittsburgh Overview
The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is the signature running option in Pittsburgh. There are 24 miles of trail, along both sides of all three rivers in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The trails are mostly paved. There are some sections where the trail breaks up. There are three main ‘sections’ of the Heritage Trail, with bridges connecting the downtown core to the north and south sides:
- Downtown/Strip district. From Pointe Park to 21st St. is 1.7 miles along north side of downtown section. From Pointe Park to the Hot Metal Bridge St. is 3.3 miles along south side of downtown section. Use Duquesne Br. to connect to North Side and Smithfield Br. to connect to the South Side.
- The North Side. 7-miles stretch of continuous trail from Westhall Street on the Chateau segment through Millvale Riverfront Park on the Millvale segment. This section right across from downtown has many of Pittsburgh’s cultural and entertainment attractions.
- The South Side. Pretty running along Southside Riverfront Park. A popular loop is 5.5 miles RT between Smithfield Bridge on the south side, crossing Hot Metal Bridge, and running along the ‘Eliza Furnace’ section, hearkening to the Steel City’s industrial past. The Heritage Trail continues past the Hot Metal Bridge, another 5+ miles, connecting to the Allegheny Passage Trail to Cumberland, and 150 miles to Maryland if you like, along an old rail trail.
Three Rivers Heritage Trail: Strip District, North Shore
Options for 5–8 miles and 8–11 mile RT. Start: near Veterans Bridge. MAP
Link to Detailed Heritage Trail Info
This route mostly follows the 7-mile continuous stretch of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail that covers the Strip District and the North Shore sections of Pittsburgh. The downtown section is within 1 mile of most downtown hotels (north of Grant Ave.) We chose the Veterans Bridge as a starting location, but, in reality, you can start anywhere along the Heritage Trail.
The Heritage Trail runs through the Strip District and the North Shore runs by most of the major tourist attractions within the downtown area. Heading northeast for the first mile, the Heritage Trail stops for a brief moment. Take a right to Smallman Street and follow this until 31st Street. The 31st Street Bridge will take you to Herrs Island heading south west, where you can pick up the Trail again. After crossing the Allegheny River, to the North Shore, you will pass the Andy Warhol Museum, PNC Park, the Carnegie Science center, and Heinz Field. We’ve added a loop which adds a runs by National Aviary and the Children’s Museum. Another add-on is west into Fort Pointe Park (about 1/2 mile from Heritage Trail Bridge).
If you want to add more mileage, instead of turning right along North Shore Drive after passing Heinz Field, keep running down the trail and cross the West End Bridge. Follow the trail back and over the Fort Pitt Bridge. The trail runs alongside the Fort Pitt. Follow the trail around Point State Park and back to the bridge where you began.
Three Rivers Heritage Trail: South Side
9 mile RT, out and back along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail South Side. MAP
This section of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail runs towards the south side of the city along the Monongahela River. Starting and ending near the Liberty Bridge, run east along the Heritage Trail. You will pass the UPMC Sports Complex and the Pittsburgh Steelers practice facility, with the verdant Mount Washington hills to your side the entire run. A few hundred feet before the Glenwood Bridge marks the turnaround point: 4.5 miles. If you want to make this an even 9.5 mile run, start from the Liberty Bridge and turnaround at the Glenwood Bridge. Past here, the Heritage Trail connects to the Great Allegheny Passage trail, continuing ~5 miles toward Cumberland.
Heritage Trail: Smithfield Bridge-Hot Metal Bridge Loop
5.5 miles RT. Start at Smithfield Bridge. MAP
This a classic Pittsburgh run. Start at Smithfield Bridge, which is easily accessible from downtown (Blvd. of Allies, Fort Pitt Blvd.), cross bridge, and run along south side through pleasant Southside Riverfront Park. Cross back over at Hot Metal Bridge, and run along the grittier north side, which includes passing by the Allegheny County Jail, to downtown. Note: brief street section just after Smithfield Br.
Mount Washington “Top of the World” Run
4 mile RT, out and back, starting from First Avenue parking garage
MAP
Starting in the heart of downtown, near Duquesne Univesity, the reward of this run is more than worth the effort: a view of the Pittsburgh skyline and downtown area from the top of Mount Washington. The run starts with a quarter mile loop alongside Firstside Park, before crossing the Monongahela River over the Liberty Bridge and a steep 250 ft. climb for the next quarter mile. Take the right exit off Liberty Bridge. P.J. McArdle Roadway and Grandview Avenue are part of the residential section of Duquesne Heights. The midway, and turnaround point, is at the intersection of Grandview and Maple Terrace. However, approximately 100 yards up the road, is the Mount Washington Overlook (pictured above). To return, follow the same route you ran. You can add to the run by using the Heritage Trail.
Schenley Park, Universities Loop
7 mile RT, through Schenley Park, starting and ending at Birminigham Bridge and Fifth Street MAP. Schenley Park MAP
The University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie-Mellon University are only blocks apart, and are 3 miles east of downtown. There is great running in the university area. A highlight is Schenley Park, with 456 acres of trails. Be sure to pass through the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (pictured below, right). Our mapped route takes you by the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, two of the larger architectural sites of the city, and does a good loop of Schenley Park.
We chose Birmingham Bridge as a starting point but you can save a mile each way by starting at the University of Pittsburgh. A good add-on option is to head west of Schenley Park into Frick Park, which has miles of woodland trails.
The Two Parks: Schenley Park and Frick Park
Schenley Park MAP. Frick Park MAP.
A great run near the universities is to combine Schenley Park and Frick Park. Schenley is more of a classic, old-style park, with its botanical gardens, golf course, ice rink, and pool. Frick Park has 400+ acres of mostly wooded trails. The Squirrel Hill neighborhood between the two parks, is a pleasant residential neighborhood for running, with Forbes Ave. running about 1-mile connecting the parks. We won’t proscribe a specific run here. It’s possible to put together a good 3 miles on the main trails of each park.
Great add-ons for the adventurous, from Frick Park:
- Nine mile Trail south to Duck Hollow Trail: About 3 miles one-way to western end, and 3.6 miles one way to eastern end. TK see if that continues
- Nine Mile Trail south, over the Homestead Grays Bridge, to the Great Allegheny Passage Trail. About 3 miles to the Passage Trail (tricky finding it over the bridge, use 5th Ave. and Amity St.), then another ~7 miles one-way along the trail, to the end, paralleling Rt. 837. Fairly hilly. MAP.
Lawrenceville Hospitals - Zoo & PPG Aquarium
8 mile RT, around Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.
Start: 40th St. Bridge. MAP
The Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh is about 4 miles from downtown. This area is a great option, with scenic runs, if you are staying near the hospitals in the Lawrenceville section (Children’s Hospital, Heart Institute, West Penn Hospital). The route we chose takes you from the 40th Street Bridge and skirts around Highland Park and the Allegheny Arsenal, running along the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. Lots of options to add on by exploring the many winding trails within the Arsenal, and the newly developed Greenspace within Highland Park. Note: there aren’t many hotels in this area.
Further Afield
If you end up near the airport, best option is the Montour Trail. There is a connector trail leaving right from the airport.
Montour Trail
8.3 mile RT. Along the Montour Trail from Imperial to Scott Road.
MAP
The Pittsburgh International Airport is approximately 20 miles from the downtown area. If you are staying near the airport and want scenic running, you can try the Montour Trail. The six-mile Montour Trail Airport connector Rrail was developed in 2012, paralleling I-376 and forking at Enlow Rd. to head south. Boasting many entrance points and places to park, the Montour Trail itself runs 46 miles around the southwest part of Pitsburgh and to some of the neighboring communities. Our route starts at the Imperial trailhead parking lot (8-minute drive from the airport)and follows the trail northeast for 4.15 miles. Scott Road was chosen arbitrarily as a turnaround point. This route also allows you to run through the short Enlow Bike Tunnel. Lots of options to make this a longer or shorter run. If you need to stay near the airport and want to easily access the Montour Trail, stay in one of the hotels south of the airport along I-376 rather than north.
Other good options, further afield:
- Great Allegheny Passage. Connects with Heritage Trail south, this rail trail continues ~150 miles to Maryland.
- Riverview Park. 4 miles north of downtown. Some great, hilly trails and a paved 2-mile loop.
- North Park Lake. Beautiful park, with 5 mile perimeter trail around the lake. 12 miles north of downtown.
STAY
Pittsburgh is a fairly compact city. There are great places to stay within proximity of the best running routes. The largest cluster of hotels is right downtown, providing good access to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. There are also hotels on the north shore, which has access to the Heritage Trail and many of Pittsburgh’s cultural and sports attraction. The University of Pittsburgh/Carnegie Mellon area is also a good area to stay, with good running in Schenley Park and Frick Park, and pleasant residential neighborhoods.
If you need to stay near the airport, a good running option is the Montour Trail. For access, stay in one of the hotels south of the airport along I-376 rather than north. There’s also a 6-mile connector trail to the Montour Trail from the airport!
Running Stores and Group Runs
There are surprisingly few dedicated running stores in the downtown Pittsburh area. Best bets near downtown are True Runner and New Balance. Fleet Feet, a great running store chain, is 8 miles south of downtown.
Downtown
True Runner — Shadyside area of Pittsburgh (Northeast a few blocks from Carnegie-Mellon University)
New Balance — Oakland area near University of Pittsburgh Law School
Outside the City
New Balance — Homestead
Fleet Feet Sports — South of downtown Pittsburgh, Mt Lebanon area.
Finish Line — Three locations: South Hills Village Mall, south of the city; The Mall at Robinson, between downtown and the airport; Homestead, located inside Macy’s.
Events
Major running events in Pittsburgh
Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon + Half Marathon — The big event. Early May
Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race — Last Sunday of September. 10K run, 5K run, 5K walk. Over 11,000 people run the 10K every year.
Spring Thaw 10, 15, or 20 miler — Held every year in late February as a warm-up for the Pittsburgh Marathon. Three long races held at the same time.
Just a Short Run — Late March. Another combination event. Given the distances to choose to register for are 5K, 8.1 miles, half marathon, or 30K road race, the name of this event is slightly ironic. Celebrating its 16th consecutive year in 2016, this event benefits The Leukemia &Lymphoma Society.
Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6 Mile Run and Family Walk — Early October. This odd distance is a tribute to Pittsburgh Penguins hockey Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux (#66), and benefits the Mario Lemieux Foundation and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation.
Run Clubs/Group Runs
Steel City Road Runners — Pittsburgh’s biggest running group. Group runs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30pm, Saturday and Sunday mornings at 8:30am.
People Who Run Downtown — Runners of all abilities meeting weekly, Tuesday nights at 5:30pm at various restaurants.
Pittsburgh Frontrunners — Weekly, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00pm, Saturdays at 9:00am at the Columbus Statue in Schenley Park
The Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Club — Oldest running club in Pittsburgh, since 1974. Meet multiple times per week with many road races scheduled. Check website for meeting times.
Fittsburgh is a great site promoting fitness and a healthy lifestyle in Pittsburgh. Lots of info on running, events, and other recreational opportunities.
