This scenic, hilly run features dramatic views of the Monongahela River and the Pittsburgh Skyline from Grandview Ave. & Mount Washington. Ambitious runners can add hillside trails for a longer and more challenging route.

Starting from downtown Pittsburgh, the iconic Smithield Bridge is the best way to cross over the river. At the end of the Bridge is a decision point:

  • Eeasier way to reach Grandview Ave. is to take the Monongahela Incline Railway ($2.50 each way, cash required) to Grandview.
  • Harder way is the 1 mile, 400-foot steep climb using Carson St./E Sycamore St./Saddle Trail/Wyoming St.

Once at Grandview Ave., enjoy the 1 mile, flat promenade, featuring numerous overlooks.  At the end of Grandview is a great view and the George Washington bronze sculpture. For the return, take the Duquesne Incline back down and use the Three Rivers Heritage Trail back to the Smithfield Bridge.

Add-On Trail Option. At the end of Grandview Ave., the Greenleaf Trail is a wooded hillside with some tricky wooding. It’s 1.4 miles (not too hilly) from Grandview to the end at Republic St. Take Republic down the hill. That makes for 2 miles. There, you can add the Emerald View Park Trail: take Sweetbriar St. for 0.7 miles to the Emerald View Trail, and use the trail to connect to Hallock St. to return to Grandview.