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Pittsburgh/Western PA All Mountain/Downhill Trail Recommendations

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Pittsburgh/Western PA All Mountain/Downhill Trail Recommendations

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flag PizzaMagician
O+
Posted: May 20, 2020 at 8:06 Quote
Hey Guys,

I moved to Pittsburgh from Santa Cruz, CA a bit ago and was wondering if anyone could recommend some fun, sustained downhill style trails or fun flowy down trails. I can tell the area has a ton of potential, but I am not having much luck finding fun steeper style trails that go to the bottom of the climb. Most of what I have been riding kind-of traverses the hill in a way that the trail goes up and down the whole way. I have been riding at North Park a lot and think it is super cool, but a lot of times just drop in through the woods. I like to hit jumps and like steep fun downhills.

I have always believed western PA has a ton of potential for awesome downhill, but just haven't had much luck finding yet.

So far, the trails I have liked have been:
Purple Blaze Down
The Top part of Kotobuki
"Down to Stone Field"

Also, can you just pedal 7 springs right now, or are the trails blocked off?
flag Shnoztastic
Posted: May 26, 2020 at 17:55 Quote
Let me first preface this: I grew up in Pittsburgh but haven't lived there for most of the last decade. Legit downhill is honestly not very present in/around the city. For a place with lots of steep roads and hills there isn't much DH.

I assume you're in the North Hills? I grew up in the South Hills and there is a weird Pittsburgh thing where you don't go North if you live in the South, so I I'm less familiar with things up there or in the Monroeville area.

As far as some okay rides to do after work: There used to be some decent singletrack in Frick park, one shorter techier section called 276. Its not super long but it's something. There is also decentish trail in Highland Park over by the Zoo. I've seen a lot of dentist bikes over there. Beware of lots of dog walkers and runners.

If you want legitish DH, I do hear the stuff near Ohiopyle and Seven Springs is alright, though I've never ridden any. Within the region, I'd rather drive out to Morgantown, WV or at the New River Gorge. If you really want downhill, go to Snowshoe. Snowshoe was added to the World Cup Downhill circuit, and the new downhill trails are legit. It is, admittedly, a bit of a drive.

I feel ya. As a native, It's crazy to me how little development in trails has occurred in Western PA.
flag PizzaMagician
O+
Posted: May 27, 2020 at 18:21 Quote
Shnoztastic wrote:
Let me first preface this: I grew up in Pittsburgh but haven't lived there for most of the last decade. Legit downhill is honestly not very present in/around the city. For a place with lots of steep roads and hills there isn't much DH.

I assume you're in the North Hills? I grew up in the South Hills and there is a weird Pittsburgh thing where you don't go North if you live in the South, so I I'm less familiar with things up there or in the Monroeville area.

As far as some okay rides to do after work: There used to be some decent singletrack in Frick park, one shorter techier section called 276. Its not super long but it's something. There is also decentish trail in Highland Park over by the Zoo. I've seen a lot of dentist bikes over there. Beware of lots of dog walkers and runners.

If you want legitish DH, I do hear the stuff near Ohiopyle and Seven Springs is alright, though I've never ridden any. Within the region, I'd rather drive out to Morgantown, WV or at the New River Gorge. If you really want downhill, go to Snowshoe. Snowshoe was added to the World Cup Downhill circuit, and the new downhill trails are legit. It is, admittedly, a bit of a drive.

I feel ya. As a native, It's crazy to me how little development in trails has occurred in Western PA.

Man, thanks so much for the recommendations. I'm in North hills, but I've definitely been wanting to check out Frick park and will be sure to try and pedal by the zoo too for some quick day trips. WV sounds rad too!

Might have to start doing a little digging, because there are so many amazing hills here. Even at north park, the trees and brush are so minimal that you can almost just ride in some trails with what seems like some minimal work.
flag Shnoztastic
Posted: May 28, 2020 at 16:22 Quote
My pleasure! I moved to WNC in 2013, and honestly haven't ridden up there much since. With all of the great trails down here, I typically leave my bike here when I go and visit family/friends. Cycling has definitely been on an uptick in Western PA. I'm sure more stuff has popped up in the years since I've been gone.
flag ypsilanti
Posted: May 28, 2020 at 18:00 Quote
Moraine State Park had some cool stuff 10 years ago. Don't know the current status.
flag idecic
O+
Posted: Jun 2, 2020 at 7:48 Quote
Hey there. I moved to PGH from the west a few years back. Poor land access and poor use of the terrain out here makes me sad, there is so much potential. I have found some cool segments at north park, where I ride frequently. Frick is good, I hear (by PGH in-the-city standards, which are the new normal). Within a few hours of town is moraine state park which has miles of rugged old school rough tech, rothrock which has many miles and a lot of variety (so I hear), aliquippa for smooth flow and a few fast jumpy downhills. Ohiopyle isn’t far and has one of the longest sustained downhill runs I’ve found. West Virginia also has the Canaan valley which is unique.
flag PizzaMagician
O+
Posted: Jun 4, 2020 at 19:12 Quote
Shnoztastic wrote:
My pleasure! I moved to WNC in 2013, and honestly haven't ridden up there much since. With all of the great trails down here, I typically leave my bike here when I go and visit family/friends. Cycling has definitely been on an uptick in Western PA. I'm sure more stuff has popped up in the years since I've been gone.

Man, that area looks so rad. I just drove down from PA to GA for the week and couldn't believe the terrain as I drove through WV and NC. It looks like an unreal location and cool people.
flag PizzaMagician
O+
Posted: Jun 4, 2020 at 19:19 Quote
ypsilanti wrote:
Moraine State Park had some cool stuff 10 years ago. Don't know the current status.
Thanks a ton. I definitely want to check that area. It looks like "down hill trail" Could be fun. I didn't know there were many hills in that area.
flag PizzaMagician
O+
Posted: Jun 4, 2020 at 19:22 Quote
idecic wrote:
Hey there. I moved to PGH from the west a few years back. Poor land access and poor use of the terrain out here makes me sad, there is so much potential. I have found some cool segments at north park, where I ride frequently. Frick is good, I hear (by PGH in-the-city standards, which are the new normal). Within a few hours of town is moraine state park which has miles of rugged old school rough tech, rothrock which has many miles and a lot of variety (so I hear), aliquippa for smooth flow and a few fast jumpy downhills. Ohiopyle isn’t far and has one of the longest sustained downhill runs I’ve found. West Virginia also has the Canaan valley which is unique.

Thanks a ton for the awesome recommendations. After seeing the terrain in WV, I can imagine that the area could be incredible.

Aliquippa and ohiopyle sounds sweet! I will be sure to investigate. Thanks a ton!
flag Shnoztastic
Posted: Jun 7, 2020 at 6:16 Quote
PizzaMagician wrote:
Shnoztastic wrote:
My pleasure! I moved to WNC in 2013, and honestly haven't ridden up there much since. With all of the great trails down here, I typically leave my bike here when I go and visit family/friends. Cycling has definitely been on an uptick in Western PA. I'm sure more stuff has popped up in the years since I've been gone.

Man, that area looks so rad. I just drove down from PA to GA for the week and couldn't believe the terrain as I drove through WV and NC. It looks like an unreal location and cool people.

Definitely come check out the riding down here when you get the chance!
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