Montour Trail – A multi-use rail-trail in Allegheny and Washington Counties, Pennsylvania

The Montour Trail is a recreational pathway system that stretches 60-plus miles around Pittsburgh, making it the longest suburban rail-trail in the country. Its bridges, trestles, viaducts and tunnels are impressive, and its railbeds played an important role in the region's coal-mining history.

The Montour Trail stretches 60-plus miles around Pittsburgh — the longest suburban rail-trail in the U.S. The Trail’s bridges, trestles, viaducts and tunnels are impressive, and its railbeds played an important role in the region’s coal-mining history.

> All photos

The CDC recommends social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.

Social Distancing Recommendations for Using the Montour Trail (posted 3-28-20)

– Keep a distance of 6 feet between you and others at all times.

– Warn others of your presence and allow proper distance when you pass. Step off the Trail if needed.

– Portable toilets and water fountains are temporarily closed. Carry water, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes with you.

– Do not gather in groups.

– Whatever you pack in, pack out. This includes cigarette butts. Leave no trash.

– Stay home if you have flu symptoms or are not feeling well.

Walk. Run. Bike. Camp.

Make your own tracks on one of the the nation’s outstanding rail-trails. Bonus: If you live near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it’s right in your back yard!

The Montour Trail is a multi-use, non-motorized recreational pathway around Pittsburgh, the country’s longest suburban rail-trail. The main line extends 47.4 miles; branch routes increase the overall length to 63 miles. The relatively-flat half-loop stretches from Coraopolis (13 miles northwest of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River) to Clairton (15 miles southeast of the city, on the Monongahela River). A branch in the northwest section connects directly to the Pittsburgh International Airport.

The Trail is easy to get to by car, as there are access areas and trailheads every few miles along the route. Pittsburgh’s rapid transit system runs near some of these, and it is bike friendly. The Trail is ADA accessible as well.

The Montour Trail Council refurbished original railroad bridges when possible; in other cases, engineers designed replacement structures. Image: Johnny Airesman

Scenic beauty

The Westland Branch runs parallel to an active railroad line. Montour Railroad trains rolled over 80+ bridges in its heyday. Image: Troy Bogdan

Restored bridges

The National Tunnel near Cecil is the Montour Trail’s longest at more than 600 feet. Like the other two lengthy tunnels on the Trail, It was originally built by the railroad to avoid steep grades.

Historic tunnels

The Montour Trail is a four-season recreational resource, which cross-country skiers take advantage of whenever there is enough snow on the Trail. Each season brings new reasons to be on the Trail. Image: Dave Oyler

4-season access

How GAP Transformed a Region
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, May 2020

Montour Greenway Expansion
Tribune-Review, November 2019

Montour Trail Named Best in the ‘Burgh
Pittsburgh Magazine, June 2019

Great American Rail-Trail Coming
Post-Gazette, May 2019

30 Years Championing Outdoors
Tribune-Review, March 2019

The Montour connects to other rails-to-trails in western Pennsylvania and beyond. You can easily get to the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and the C&O Canal Towpath, a completed trail system that stretches 300+ miles from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC. The Panhandle Trail — a converted railroad line that stretches almost 30 miles from Weirton, West Virginia, to Carnegie — meets up with the Montour Trail west of McDonald (southwest of Pittsburgh). And this local resource is also part of U.S. Bicycle Route 50, which runs east-west and, when completed, will span the country.

Currently, 46 miles of the Montour Trail are completed with several short gaps in the southeast section.

Home

Walk. Run. Bike. Camp.

Trail Events