Steel Valley Trail
The Steel Valley Trail carries the Great Allegheny Passage through the Mon Valley in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — from McKeesport through Duquesne and Whitaker to the Waterfront in Homestead and on toward Pittsburgh.
Overview
About the Steel Valley trail
The Steel Valley Trail Council manages a section of the Great Allegheny Passage through the Mon Valley. Our section connects in McKeesport and travels through Duquesne, Whitaker, and into Homestead at the Waterfront in Munhall. From there the trail continues alongside Sandcastle and under the Glenwood Bridge to connect to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail system, which carries the GAP to its end at Point State Park in Pittsburgh.
A road-based connector reaches the Montour Trail in Clairton, which in turn provides a connection all the way to Pittsburgh International Airport. For riders, this makes the Steel Valley Trail the gateway between the GAP and the city of Pittsburgh.
Maintenance of the Steel Valley Trail is done by volunteers. We meet Wednesday mornings to cut grass, remove trees, clear landslides, and build amenities.
Good for
- Cycling
- Walking
- Running
The setting
What you’ll see
An urban-industrial riverfront ride along the Monongahela River, threading former mill sites that are returning to green. It is the most city-flavored section of the GAP.
The history
Rail & industrial heritage
The trail crosses land once dominated by the steel industry. The US Steel Homestead Works stood on what is now the Waterfront — site of the infamous Battle of Homestead — and the route also passes the former Duquesne Works and National Tube Works, now industrial parks. A stretch between Duquesne and the Waterfront follows the path of US Steel's coke-gas pipeline.
On the trail
Scenes from the Steel Valley trail
Getting on the trail
Trailheads & access
McKees Point
McKeesport, PA
Library Street Park & Ride
Duquesne, PA
Pump House
The Waterfront, Munhall, PA
Waterfront
Between the restaurants at the Waterfront
Amenities
Facilities along the way
- Trailhead parking at McKees Point, McKeesport
- Park & Ride lot at Library Street, Duquesne
- Pump House trailhead at the Waterfront
- Waterfront access near the shops and restaurants
Keep this trail open
A hands-on volunteer crew that meets weekly to cut grass, clear trees and landslides, and build trail amenities.
Meetings: Volunteer maintenance every Wednesday morning.
Chapter officers
President
Roy Bires
rebires@aol.com412-216-7130Vice President
Bob Holder
tandem.cap@gmail.com412-512-5912Treasurer
Earl Novendstern
earl.nove@gmail.com412-337-0341Secretary
Jerry Green
jerrold.green@icloud.com412-689-1120
Contact
Good to know
Steel Valley trail FAQ
- Where is the Steel Valley Trail?
- The Steel Valley Trail carries the Great Allegheny Passage through the Mon Valley in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — from McKeesport through Duquesne and Whitaker to the Waterfront in Homestead and on toward Pittsburgh.
- Is the Steel Valley Trail part of the Great Allegheny Passage?
- Yes. The Steel Valley Trail is a maintained section of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), the 150-mile rail-trail between Pittsburgh, PA and Cumberland, MD.
- Is the Steel Valley Trail accessible and family-friendly?
- Flat and accessible, with paved and crushed-limestone sections. Closest GAP section to downtown Pittsburgh, with several trailheads and Park & Ride access.
- How can I volunteer on the Steel Valley Trail?
- A hands-on volunteer crew that meets weekly to cut grass, clear trees and landslides, and build trail amenities. To get involved, contact rebires@aol.com.
Help keep the trails there when you need them.
Whether you swing a loppers on a Saturday or chip in a few dollars, every TrailKeeper makes the next mile possible.