The Best Day Hikes Near Pittsburgh PA
Going on a long hike with your partner can be the perfect date idea whether you’re both into nature or enjoy physical fitness. Of course, even if you are new to hiking, a leisurely walk through some of these trails near Pittsburgh is a great way to simply take in the scenic views and inhale some fresh air.
Whether you’re dating, engaged, or already married these hiking trails can lend themselves to an unplugged atmosphere to help you and your partner reconnect away from WIFI and other people.
Pack a tasty picnic and blanket and take it with you through these trails, the perfect date day. Just be sure to clean up afterwards, following Leave No Trace principals in order to help preserve the beautiful natural surroundings and to keep wildlife safe.
Aside from being an fun date idea, these locations are so gorgeous that they make incredible locations to have your engagement photos taken or include on your elopement day!
Where To Hike Near Pittsburgh
Western Pennsylvania is filled with incredible places to hike but below you will find a few of my favorites, that range in difficulty and scenery. There is a trail for everybody with this wide arrangement of locations to choose from!
Ohiopyle State Park
There are so many different outdoor activities to do in Ohiopyle but it really has some of the best trails to hike. With so many different scenic views to enjoy in one location, it truly is an amazing all-in-one destination for spending the day. Like many state parks you can return to Ohiopyle so many times and still feel like you haven’t truly experienced or seen everything that it has to offer.
There are rivers, waterfalls, scenic overviews and miles of trails. My personal favorite is the Ohiopyle High Bridge. Walking across this bridge and looking down at the trees and water running below you is an incredible experience. It’s especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves on the trees are changing to vibrant reds, yellows and oranges.
To get to Ohiopyle High Bridge start at Tharp Knob Picnic Area #3 and then take the Kentuck Trail to the Great Gore Trailhead and follow it to the Ohiopyle High Bridge.
Near Fallingwater: Bear Run Nature Reserve Trails
You have more than likely heard of or visited Fallingwater, but have you ever hiked the Bear Run Nature Reserve Trails? With so many different places set up for hiking and camping, this is a place that you can easily stay the weekend to enjoy a full nature experience. It also makes for a unique place to have an elopement wedding if you want to get married in nature.
This reserve has over 500 different plant species and protects a wide range of animals from black bears to bobcats and birds, which means that you’ll have plenty to look at or look for when you’re out enjoying your hike.
While you're there, if you haven’t visited Fallingwater, I highly suggest booking a tour if you are a mid-century modern fan. Fallingwater is an amazing piece of architecture that joins nature and art together in one historic piece of architectural ingenuity designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935. It’s gorgeous to look at both from the outside and within the home. Afterwards be sure to make a stop at TreeTops restaurant and treat yourselves to a deliciously curated dinner in the trees!
Indiana Pa Ghost Town Trail
This 36 mile stretch of flat surface is an ideal place for hiking when you don’t want to do steep mountains and inclines. With as little as a 3% grade, this hiking trail near Pittsburgh is an easy one to endure. While you of course don’t have to trek the entire trail, there is still plenty to see and do with a shorter hike.
This is also one of the best bike trails in/near Pittsburgh too because the ground is compacted limestone making for an easy ride. So if you’re looking to bring your bikes along with you on your lovely outing, this trail is great for wheels and feet!
There are several off-trail attractions such as old structures and rest areas along the way that help to make this trail an ideal one to walk.
Slippery Rock Gorge Trail
Starting at Hell’s Hollow at McConnells Mills State Park, this is one of the best hiking trails near Pittsburgh! This 14 mile stretch of back trail is a trail worth taking a few times in your life. The gorgeous scenery of fern groves and the waterfall will leave you in awe.
It is a more challenging hike and includes various elevation changes and levels of difficulty. And while this may not be the best trail for the unskilled hiker, the Slippery Rock Gorge Trail is well marked and you should have no problem staying on the right path.
Spending time together outside, hiking through meandering trails and lush forests, offers the perfect opportunity to connect with nature and each other. As you hike, the usual distractions of daily life fade away, leaving room for meaningful conversations and shared moments of awe at the beauty surrounding you. Each step taken together strengthens bonds and creates lasting memories!
Exploring any of these trails together will get you just far enough into nature that you can’t hear cars, sirens, or the sounds that come with the city. Just far enough outside of town to be “away from it all” but still close enough to make it an easy day drive for the weekend warriors.
Hi, I’m Liz, I specialize in Pennsylvania elopement photography and planning. If you're looking for a photographer that is eager to venture through the wilderness with you, look no further. My partner and I are avid hikers and we’re Leave No Trace Certified. This means that we're not only passionate about your elopement in nature, but we also take every precaution during your session to preserve the surrounding environment. I offer a supportive planning and photography experience for kind couples who want to be intentional about how they spend their elopement day together and who value candid, warm and vibrant photography.
