Featured National Recreation Trails

Hosted by AmericanTrails.org

Every kind of trail activity is represented in the listing of designated NRTs. Besides hiking and bicycling, the system includes water trails, motorized routes, snow tracks, greenways, and equestrian paths. The NRT program showcases the diversity of trails across America, from our cities and suburbs to the deserts, waterways, and high mountains. See more trails designated as National Recreation Trails in 2010.

Three Rivers Heritage Trail - Pennsylvania

This urban rail-trail parallels the riverbanks in the Pittsburgh area for about 21 miles, often on both sides of the rivers, and offering a spectacular view of the city.

photo of paved trail and bridge

along the Three Rivers Heritage National Recreation Trail

The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is a wonderful pedestrian trail and greenway system in the Pittsburgh region running for 22 miles along both sides of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers, it is an almost complete public route for cyclists, walkers, runners, and in some places rollerbladers.

The Friends of the Riverfront was established to create and is dedicated to the continued expansion of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. We advocate for and build multi-use trails, parks and continuous public access along our three rivers through active partnerships with communities, public leaders, citizens and organizations from around the region.

Now incorporated into the new edition of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail map is the Three Rivers Heritage Trail Interpretive Signage Guide. Pittsburgh's dramatic landscape and history are portrayed in dozens of signs located along our riverfronts. From the Pittsburgh Pirates to Mister Rogers to Andy Warhol and the steel industry, let the Pittsburgh region explain itself to you while touring one of the best urban trail systems in the Allegheny country.

Click the link to view an online interactive version of this popular Trail Map and Signage Guide. http://www.friendsoftheriverfront.org/map/

photo of flowers along trail

Plantings along the trail in Pittsburgh

As Friends of the Riverfront continues to push for the development of the few remaining "missing links" in the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, we have started to engage adjacent municipalities along the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers in an effort to establish regional connections and generate economic opportunities and environmental regeneration in smaller riverfront towns.

Recently, Friends of the Riverfront has partnered with Allegheny County and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council to study, plan and built trails and greenways along the riverfronts of Allegheny County. Visit the Trail Status page to view current planning efforts, trail construction documents and information to get involved and stay informed. (See an article about the Friends).

The vision of Friends of the Riverfront is that trails and rivers will become an integral part of economic development and a valued and respected natural resource for the communities and citizens of the three rivers region. The Three Rivers Heritage Trail provides stories of our rich heritage; free educational, fitness, relaxation and recreational opportunities; protection and stewardship of our environment; and economic stimulus for our region. The Friends of the Riverfront's strategic plan significantly enhances our capacity to bridge stewardship of our rivers and adjoining lands into the mainstream of the region's strategy for sustainable economic, quality of life, and environmental renewal.

photo of trail at ballpark on river

The trail along PNC Park

Friends of the Riverfront is a founding member of the Allegheny Trail Alliance, a group of seven rails-to-trails organizations working to construct the Great Allegheny Passage— a 152-mile continuous biking and walking trail linking Cumberland, MD to Pittsburgh, PA, ending at Point State Park. In Cumberland, the Great Allegheny Passage connects to the C&O Towpath and continues to Washington, DC.

The entire trail is not yet complete, but a continuous 100-mile portion from McKeesport, PA, to Meyersdale, PA, nears the Maryland border. This section of trail takes you through scenic Ohiopyle State Park and Confluence for the best white water rafting and recreational amenities in the region. Also along the trail, you can rest at any of the numerous restaurants, bed & breakfasts and shops that are now catering to trail travelers.

For more information:

Friends of the Riverfront
33 Terminal Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 488-0212
Website: http://www.friendsoftheriverfront.org
Online Interactive map: http://www.friendsoftheriverfront.org/map

We frequently add NRT information, photos and maps to these pages. Send suggestions and information requests to American Trails. Research additional NRTs in the NRT database. Update trail/contact information by sending us a completed update form (PDF format). You may also e-mail this information.

Related Pages:

Featured National Recreation Trails

Three Rivers Heritage Trail - Pennsylvania