Trail Running Pittsburgh: Best Rail Trails in the South Hills

If you live in McMurray, Peters Township, Bethel Park, or Canonsburg, you don't need to drive into the city to find a good place to run. The South Hills sits right on one of the region's best rail trail networks, and plenty of people who live here have never used it.

This guide covers the rail trails and paths in and near Pittsburgh's South Hills, what each is like underfoot, and how to find people to run them with.

Why Rail Trails Work So Well for Running

Rail trails are converted railroad corridors, so they tend to be wide, gently graded, and long. For runners, that's a hard combination to beat.

You get steady footing, gentle grades, and long stretches where you can settle into a rhythm. The out-and-back format lets you control your distance: if you want 3 miles, turn around at 1.5. If you want 6, keep going.

For newer runners or anyone coming back after a break, rail trails strip away a lot of the friction that makes running feel harder than it should.

The Best Rail Trails for Running in Pittsburgh's South Hills

Montour Trail

The Montour Trail is the backbone of South Hills running. Its main line runs from Coraopolis to Clairton, and the Montour Trail Council calls it the nation's longest suburban rail trail, with branches into Bethel Park, Muse, Westland, and the airport. TrailLink puts the trail and its spurs at 63 miles.

Most of the trail is crushed limestone, which is firm enough to run well on and a little softer than asphalt. According to Rails to Trails Conservancy, there's a roughly four-mile paved section through Peters Township and a two-mile paved section in Clairton. The scenery shifts as you go, from wooded corridors to open stretches to quiet neighborhoods, with tunnels and bridges along the way.

Best for: All paces, beginners, long runs, group running

Arrowhead Trail (Peters Township)

The Arrowhead Trail is the Peters Township section of the Montour Trail. Peters Township describes it as 3.5 miles of paved trail running from Route 19 to Brush Run Road, owned and maintained by the township. It links neighborhoods with parks and the rest of the Montour Trail.

Because it's paved, it's a good pick after rain, when you want a smooth surface, or if you're running with a stroller.

Best for: Paved running, neighborhood access, strollers, wet days

Bethel Park Branch

The Montour Trail's Bethel Park Branch runs 2.8 miles through forested and residential areas, per the Montour Trail Council. It branches off the main trail in Peters Township and heads into Bethel Park, which makes it handy if you'd rather start closer to home.

It's shorter than the main line, but it pairs well with it if you're building a longer route.

Best for: Bethel Park access, connecting to the main Montour line

Panhandle Trail

The Panhandle Trail runs about 29 miles from Walkers Mill in Collier Township to near Weirton, West Virginia, according to Rails to Trails Conservancy. The roughly 18 miles in Washington County are paved, while the Allegheny County and West Virginia sections are mostly crushed stone. Near McDonald, a one-mile connector links it to the Montour Trail.

For South Hills runners, it's a bit of a drive, but it's a good change of scenery, and the western stretches feel more rural.

Best for: Longer exploration runs, a quieter change of pace

South Park Paths

South Park, spread across Bethel Park and South Park Township, isn't a rail trail, but its paths are popular with local runners. Allegheny County lists the paved Corrigan Drive Path, which runs up to two miles one way, and the Allegheny County Parks Foundation describes the 1.75-mile Maple Springs Loop, mostly paved. The county's trail listings also include the Montour Connector Trail, a crushed gravel path that links South Park to the Montour Trail, with a climb on the way back.

Best for: Easy runs, families, mixing paved paths with some hills

Running the Montour/Peters Trail With a Group

If you want to run in McMurray with other people on a regular schedule, GRYT Run Club meets every Saturday at 7:00 AM at 212 Valley Brook Road in McMurray. The group runs about 4 miles out and back on the flat, paved Montour/Peters Trail, and you can turn around early.

Laura and Nick Merich started GRYT for South Hills runners who want consistent community without driving into the city. The format is simple: walk, jog, or run, and the run is no-drop, meaning it ends when the last person finishes and faster runners loop back. It's free, with no membership or pace requirement. First-timers RSVP on grytrunclub.com and sign a short liability waiver, and there's coffee in the parking lot after.

What to Bring on a South Hills Rail Trail Run

A few basics make a real difference:

• Water: Don't count on finding a fountain along the way. Carry your own for longer runs, especially in warm weather.
• Shoes: Road shoes work well on paved sections and packed limestone. Trail shoes can help with grip on looser or muddy stretches.
• Parking: Many trailheads have parking lots. Saturday mornings are busy, so arrive a little early.
• Visibility: If you're out near dawn or dusk, wear something bright or reflective and consider a light. GRYT's guide to running at night safely has more tips.
• A turnaround point: The Montour is long enough to accidentally add miles. Decide where you're turning around before you start.
• Trail etiquette: These are shared-use trails. Stay to the right, pass on the left, and give cyclists and walkers room.

Building a Weekly Routine Around These Trails

The South Hills trail network is good enough to anchor a real running habit. A Saturday morning on the Montour/Peters Trail, a midweek run on the Arrowhead Trail or in South Park, and an occasional longer outing on the Panhandle can fill a week without leaving the suburbs.

For most people, the trail isn't the hard part. Showing up consistently is. Running with the same people at the same time each week helps, especially for former athletes and busy parents who miss having a team. If you're ready to add distance, GRYT's guide on increasing mileage without injury is a good place to start.

FAQs

Where can I run trails in Pittsburgh's South Hills? The Montour Trail is the main option, including the paved Arrowhead Trail section in Peters Township and the Bethel Park Branch. South Park's paths and the Panhandle Trail are good choices too, depending on where you live.

Is the Montour Trail good for beginner runners? Yes. Grades are gentle, the surface is firm, and the out-and-back format makes it easy to control your distance.

Are there free running groups in Pittsburgh's South Hills? Yes. GRYT Run Club meets every Saturday at 7:00 AM on the Montour/Peters Trail in McMurray. It's free, no-drop, and open to walkers, joggers, and runners.

What surface is the Montour Trail? Mostly crushed limestone, with paved sections including about four miles through Peters Township (the Arrowhead Trail) and a stretch in Clairton.

Do I need trail running shoes for the Montour Trail? Usually not. Road shoes handle paved sections and packed limestone well. Trail shoes are worth it if you often run looser or muddy sections.

How long is a typical run on the Montour Trail near McMurray? It's whatever you want it to be, since it's out and back. GRYT's Saturday route is about 4 miles, and you can turn around early.

What should I know before running the Montour Trail for the first time? Bring your own water, pick your turnaround point before you start, follow shared-trail etiquette, and wear something visible if you're out in low light.

The South Hills has more running infrastructure than most people realize. If you want to make the Montour/Peters Trail a weekly habit with a group behind you, GRYT Run Club runs every Saturday at 7:00 AM in McMurray. It's free, and nobody gets left behind.