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 Reporter |
Summary: The Eliza Furnace section of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, affectionately called "The Jail Trail", is level and paved from Downtown Pittsburgh at the end of Grant Street into Panther Hollow in Oakland. Technically, it is the Northern terminus of the Great Allegheny Passage but the last mile is through city streets and it doesn't actually connect to the rest of the trail just yet. As it runs between the Parkway East (US 376) and Second Avenue for the most part, the noise and lack of scenery make its main utility now as a lunchtime exercise. I personally use it as my primary bicycle commute route, keeping me off the most dangerous of Pittsburgh streets. Don't let the profile fool you. It's pretty much flat from Downtown to the Children's Hospital parking lot, then a short hill down to Second Avenue and a gentle incline up into Panther Hollow. Trailhead: Take the Parkway East inbound (US376) and take the Greenfield exit (just after the Oakland exit) onto Bates Street. Turn left onto Second Avenue and, just shortly before Second turns under the bridge there is a left turn with a sign for the Children's Hospital parking lot. There is a free trailhead lot just before the Children's Hospital lot gate. If you continue on Second, turn under the bridge then turn left at the light onto Saline St. Turning left on Boundry St. will take you straight to the Panther Hollow parking lot. I had my car vandalized here so you might want to reconsider parking here. The Allegheny County Jail parking lot is near the downtown end of the trail off of Second Avenue, but you have to pay for parking at that location. (Lat:40.42583 Lon:-79.95262) Trail Guides for TRHT - Eliza Furnace Trail: Pennsylvanias Rail Trails (9th Edition) by Tom Sexton & Patricia Tomes (Rails To Trails Conservancy) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Ranger Contact: Pittsburgh Parks & Recreation 412-255-2539 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Kevin Geiselman, who has posted 96 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Don on 12/16/2006 The graffiti does make it interesting - the 2nd ave crossing is under construction but this trail is great to walk, jog, bike, and skate - which the three rivers inline club (TRIC) does a good bit of. 
Reviewed by Jay on 10/21/2006 Not a very nice trail. There's nice graffiti to look at though - 
Reviewed by KG on 9/17/2004 This is not so much a review as it is an update to my own trail report. Plans and preparations are under way for the referbishment of the Hot Metal Bridge and construction of the connecting ramps that will connect the Eliza Furnace Trail to the South Side. There will be a ramp on the trail to take one up and over 2nd Avenue to the bridge and then andother ramp on the far side. Construction is slated for 2006 but there are already some survey posts along the trail. Also, take care parking in the Panther Hollow lot near the soccer fields. There's not a lot of activity here which allowed a vandal the time to attempt to drill out my car's lock. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Pennsylvania Hiking, Pennsylvania Trails, Pennsylvania Hikes, Allegheny County Hiking, Allegheny County Trails, Allegheny County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||