The Montour Trail starts steps from your door

The Montour Trail's main line runs about 47 miles between Coraopolis and the Monongahela at Clairton, built on the old Montour Railroad's right-of-way. Add the branches and the system stretches past 60 miles, which is why it is often introduced as one of the longest suburban rail-trails in the country. Since 2017 it has carried National Recreation Trail designation.

Mile 0 is the point

The countdown starts in Coraopolis, just off Montour Road near the Ohio River. From 101 Woodcrest Drive that is a short walk or an even shorter bike ride to the trailhead, which keeps parking, water, and a picnic shelter at the start. That matters more than it sounds: your weekend never begins with a drive to "the trail."

What the riding is like

• Surface. Mostly packed crushed limestone, with some paved sections. Great for hybrids, gravel bikes, and runners; skip the skinny road tires.
• Hours. Dawn to dusk, and it is a non-motorized path, so it stays quiet.
• Tunnels. The Enlow and Greer tunnels are the landmarks to aim for; the National Tunnel is currently closed, so check trail alerts before planning around it.
• Connections. The trail links into the regional network that reaches the Great Allegheny Passage, so long rides become multi-county adventures.

The neighborhood upside

A trailhead within walking distance quietly upgrades every floor of the house. Morning runs start at the front door, kids learn to ride away from cars, and the dog's walk becomes a river view. It also shows up at resale, because the question buyers ask in 15108 is less "is there a trail?" and more "am I close to it?"

Expect company on summer weekends and near-empty mornings in October, which is honestly the best month for it anyway.

Want the trail map for this stretch of the line? The team keeps the current one handy for showings, right next to the HOA documents.