Trail Run Project Logo

This trail offers views of the lake in winter and cool runs in summer.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

6.0

Miles

9.7

KM

96%

Runnable

1,237' 377 m

High

1,000' 305 m

Low

568' 173 m

Up

600' 183 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · Views

Description

The Red/Blue Blaze Trail is heavily used. It's an in-and-out path extends for 2 miles "as a crow flies" and is 6 miles of continuous, uninterrupted trail. This is a must-do run for people in the Pittsburgh area, as it is only a few miles from the city but offers seclusion.

The Red/Blue Blaze Trail runs from North Ridge Road near the Ice Skating Rink to Irwin Run where Babcock Blvd intersects Pierce Mill Rd. The trail was originally constructed in the mid 1990's By Dave Brunger and Bill Kirk as the Rainbow Trail. This runs from the Skating Rink side to the Wisconsin Shelter.

To find the trailhead from the Ice Skating rink side, start at the Olympia Shelter parking lot (across Pierce Mill Rd from the Skating Rink). Ride up North Ridge Rd for ~50 yards. The trail will start to your right. The trail winds up the initial ~.25 mile climb. The trail is continually marked with red/blue blazes, but does not cross any other trails. There are multiple opt-out locations in case you get tired or run short on time. All opt-outs put you on North Ridge Drive, which you can take northward and end up back at the double lot.

Contacts

Land Manager: Allegheny County, PA

Shared By:

Kevin Ketchman

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 9 votes

#1

in North Park

#8438

Overall
  4.2 from 9 votes
5 Star
44%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
22%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in North Park

#142

in Pennsylvania

#8,438

Overall
2 Views Last Month
2,060 Since Apr 2, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
88%
0%
13%
0%

Photos

Some baby deer and their mother along the trail.
Jul 5, 2015 near Gibsonia, PA
An example of common Red/Blue Blaze Trail terrain.
Apr 2, 2015 near Gibsonia, PA

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jun 23, 2020
Matt H
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.