Youghiogheny River Trails

The Youghiogheny River Trails, or Yough (pronounced YOCK) for short, are two rail-trails located southwest of Pittsburgh which cut through the rugged Allegheny Mountains. The 32 mile long North Yough Trail runs through the southwest Pittsburgh suburbs and is being developed by the Regional Trail Corporation. The 33 mile long South Yough Trail runs through the Yough Gorge and Ohiopyle State Park, and is maintained as part of the park.

Map of Trails

In September 1998, the two trails were finally connected at Dawson, PA. Eventually, both will become part of a 400 mile continuous network of trails between Pittsburgh and Washington D.C. That is expected to happen by 2000, when the Allegheny Highlands Trail is completed between Confluence, PA and the C&O towpath trail head at Cumberland, MD.

The town of Ohiopyle, PA has become something of a tourist mecca. In addition to the Yough Trail, This unusual little town is located smack in the center of the state park and consists mostly of river tour companies and B&Bs. However, the main reason for the tourist trade has to do with a strange quirk in the Yough River at this point called "The Loop". The river make a sharp bend just south of the town, which allows people to ride rapids for a mile or so, then hike back up to the top of the loop for another try. The scores of tour companies in town also offer longer river rides, so you don't have to hike back. Also, the famous Frank Lloyd Wright home "Falling Water" is located about a mile north of town.

3-D Terrain Map around Ohiopyle, PA

The south trail has an excellent crushed limestone surface and bike rentals are available at Ohiopyle. It can be fairly busy on weekends, but no where near as bad as the D.C. area trails. I have not been on the North Yough Trail yet, so I can't comment on its condition.