Pittsburgh: An Urban Adventure Destination

Wrapped in rivers, intertwined with trails and packed with parks, Pittsburgh is full of outdoor adventure. Whether you prefer to bike, walk, rollerblade or simply gather with friends for a picnic, green getaways and outdoor adventures are aplenty in Pittsburgh. It’s no wonder WalletHub continuously ranks the city among the best for an active lifestyle.

One of the best ways to explore Pittsburgh is to take to the streets to experience its natural beauty, unique terrain and diverse offerings at every turn. Pittsburgh is incredibly walkable with more than 180 miles of trails throughout the nine Allegheny County Parks, 700+ public stairways and numerous walkable bridges.

Plus, Pittsburgh has become known as a city that supports and encourages bicycling, with bike-accessible hotels and public transportation, an easy-to-use bikeshare system and a devoted community of cyclists. In fact, People for Bikes, one of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to making bicycling safer, more convenient and appealing for everyone, recognizes Pittsburgh among the best places to bike in the world.

Pittsburgh’s unique topographical blend of steep, winding hills and flat river areas makes it one of the best cities for cycling enthusiasts. There are miles and miles of riverfront trails in the Pittsburgh area and dedicated bike lanes throughout the city’s neighborhoods.

Some of Pittsburgh’s most famous guided tours allow visitors to explore the city’s 90 unique neighborhoods by foot or bike, like Bike the Burgh and ‘Burgh Bits & Bites Food Tour. There are plenty of self-guided options as well, including Downtown walking tours, gallery crawls and even a Green Building Walking Tour.

Perhaps the most famous trail is the Great Allegheny Passage – locally known as the GAP trail – a 150-mile, non-motorized path that connects Pittsburgh to the C&O Canal Towpath in Cumberland, Maryland, creating a 355-mile continuous experience to Washington, D.C. For those not ready to tackle the entire path, consider renting a bicycle from Golden Triangle Bike and enjoying a leisurely ride along the Monongahela River.

Looking to stay more local? Explore the Three Rivers Heritage Trail System, which links together city neighborhoods and highlights Pittsburgh’s natural beauty and history while following the flowing lines of the city’s rivers and parks. Several suburban trails also will excite hiking and walking enthusiasts. The area’s extensive network of trails extends outward to the suburbs, offering a multitude of cycling opportunities in locations such as Hartwood Acres and Seven Springs Resort. For those looking for a more pastoral experience, the Youghiogheny River Trail, Hidden Valley Resort and Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, among others, offer miles of wilderness hiking trails.

The City of Pittsburgh is also home to 176 parks, ranging from regional parks to small neighborhood parklets, making it a great destination for picnics, family gatherings and other outdoor recreation. Point State Park is located at the confluence of Pittsburgh’s three rivers and is home to the iconic Pittsburgh State Park Fountain. Schenley Park is full of beautiful trails for hiking, biking or running. There also is open green space for playing games or relaxing, a swimming pool in the summer months and an ice rink in the winter. Frick Park covers more than 600 acres of trails, wetlands and dog-friendly areas. Tucked into the neighborhood that shares its name, Highland Park hosts volleyball courts, a swimming pool and plenty of trails that make this park a hit with the family.

Throughout the parks and trails intertwined across the city, visitors will find an array of beautiful scenery, including more than 3,500 native Eastern redbud trees planted over the past five years by The Pittsburgh Redbud Project.

With more than 30 miles of river shoreline, it is only fitting that Pittsburgh is a premier location for recreational boating, fishing and a variety of other water sports. During the warmer months, Venture Outdoors offers kayak and paddleboard rentals to enjoy throughout North Park Lake, Sharpsburg’s James Sharp Landing and Downtown, regardless of experience level. SurfSUP Adventures also provides paddleboard rentals in addition to popular Eco-Tours across Moraine State Park and the Islands of Oakmont.

For those who would rather let the professionals do the work, the Gateway Clipper Fleet and Rivers of Steel’s Explorer riverboat are great ways to experience the breathtaking views without breaking a sweat. Also, just a short drive outside of Pittsburgh in the Laurel Highlands, Class III and IV rapids await thrill-seeking rafters along the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle State Park.

Rolling forested hills, rich farmland and sparkling rivers make Western Pennsylvania a visual treat, and the region has some of the best golf in the United States. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania boasts more than 500 public golf courses. Visitors can tee off at more than 50 public golf courses in the Pittsburgh area, including Oakmont Country Club, named the fifth-greatest course in America by GolfDigest. Oakmont, previous host to nine U.S. Opens, will next host the competition in 2025.