The way points of this bicycle route:
You have arrived at Heinz 57 Flavors again -- nice loop, no?
Go under the Railroad Overpass and make a right onto the Charlie Leibreath overpass to cross over BUSY Route 28.
Penn Brewery - You are waiting at Vinial and Troy Hill Road and eyeing the Penn Brewery. Head North on Vinial
Go straight through the stop sign and up behind the fire house. GO straight on Concord Street.
Make a right on East Street and head north. I ride it on the sidewalk, others in the street -- you are not going fast on most of this climb, but the cars do :)
You pass Royal Street and notice St. Boniface Church. It is a beautiful building and is home to Pittsburgh's last Latin Mass
Look up -- it is the Swindell Bridge (or East Street Valley Bridge). Remember, you only have to climb up to that level. :)
Take a break at the light -- you've earned it. Keep on climbing, though -- you are about half way up the hill
At Mt. Pleasant Road, cross East Street (at light -- wait for signal) and take bridge over I-279
You have entered Observatory Hill neighborhood. Make a left at the SECOND light and start climbing up the final stretch of East Street.
You are now in the neighborhood business district of Observatory Hill. To continue, make a right on Perrysville Avenue. But before you do, please note that to your right is a pharmacy and convenience store. There is also a bakery (great everything), a pizza place (Mandy's) and a restaurant (Commodore Cafe). Perry High School looms to your front left. Also, notice the cool parking lot sign - lots of stars and planets suspended miraculously by a talented metal worker. You are also on the original route that Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry trod to prepare his ships in the Battle of Lake Erie
You headed south on Perrysville Avenue. Now make a right on Riverview Avenue and head to the entrance of Riverview Park.
To continue, turn left at the stop light. Before doing so, look up the hill and look at a working Observatory (Allegheny Observatory operated by the University of Pittsburgh). Tours are available, but you must call first).
You are in Riverview Park. I ride a loop around the Park, so turn right here.
Stilll in Riverview Park and going downhill. No pedaling can be fun.
You are still in Riverview Park and now you are climbing again -- stay on the main drag until you get near the pool and activity building on your left.
Watson's Chapel Shelter in Riverview Park -- recently renovated. It was originally a church ans was moved (rolled on logs) about 100 years ago from the corner of Riverview and Perrysville Avenues.
You have followed the bike lane through Riverview Park. Now, you are going to leave it for a bit. Stay on Riverview - DO NOT make left to follow bike path.
You will see the Riverview Park Activities Building (or steps leading up to it at least ) on the hill to your left. Look to your right for a paved road with an access gate across it. It heads downhill. This is Kilbuck Road and you should turn onto this road now.
You are still in Riverview and should have had some more downhill riding. You pass the picnic shelter and public works depot next
You are leaving Riverview Park -- go straight on Grand Avenue
Make a right onto Central Avenue.
Make a left on Minot Way
Make a right on Palen Way (go behind Carnegie Library - recently renovated).
You are going to cross Brighton Road and head down Lecky Way. Please note there are restaurants and businesses here within eyesight of this intersection for your needs.
Make a right on Eckert Street
Make a left on McClure Street (or is it Eckert -- think google maps might be wrong) Anyway, make the left at the stop sign and head under the railroad overpass.
At the stop sign, make a right on New Beaver Avenue. Note that the old Western Penitentiary looms in front of you.
Make a left on Westhall Street
Make a left at the trail head for the Ohio River Trail.
The trail has been termporaliy closed for construction of the Casino. I have the route laid out for what it normally will be like, but signs are posted for the detour around the Casino site.
You are heading under the West End Bridge -- eventually there will be a trail connector here taking you over to a trail on the other bank of the Ohio River.
This is the site for the new slots Casino in Pittwsburgh
You have passed the Carnegie Science Center -- take a left at the fork in the trail and go up the wee little narrow sidewalk.
You are passing Heinz Field to your left. Look accross the Allegheny River to see the Fountain in Point State Park
There is a connector here for the bikes and pedestrians across the Fort Duquesen Bridge. You go through Point State Park and on to other trails that could lead you to Washington DC, if you want to get in a longer ride.
North Shore Water Steps - a favorite attraction for kids of all ages.
As you pass PNC Park, hand a left and then a right to follow the North SHore Trail under the Clemente (Sixth Street) Bridge. You can stop for some kayaking at Venture Outdoors, too.
You can take a left here and head up to the East Ohio - Historic Deutschtown Business District and get some coffee, ice cream (Rita's Italian ice coming soon), a good meal, or some adult libations.
It goes from concrete to crushed limestone just after you apss the Lincoln at North Shore Apartments. Enjoy the xcenery provided by Friends of the Riverfront.
You made one lap -- now start again.
Welcome to Bikely, take a step by step tour of this path:
Press Start Tour - then use the navigation buttons below to move along the path.
This is a recreational/commuting bike route that is mostly off road, and features the easiest grade climb from the North Shore Trail to Riverview Park.
Tagged with: Commute, Recreational, Training, Onroad, Smooth, Urban
