Breathe In The Fresh Air On These 5 Winter Hikes Near Pittsburgh
Wintertime’s meant for spending outdoors (then cozying up under a thick blanket to warm up). We’ve got an abundance of winter activities – skiing, sledding, snow tubing, and snow boarding – to fill the whole season. Hiking in the winter can also give us a unique perspective on nature, often at its prettiest blanketed in snow. Here are five of the best winter hikes near Pittsburgh you’ll definitely want to check out.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
1. McConnells Mill State Park – Portersville
1761 McConnells Mill Rd, Portersville, PA 16051, USA
Starting off our list of the best winter hikes near Pittsburgh are the trails at McConnells Mill State Park. This park boasts more than 11 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to difficult. For an easy trail, follow the half-mile Hell’s Hollow Trail that leads to a beautiful waterfall. (Wait until you see it frozen and sprinkled in snow!) For a more challenging trek, try the three-mile Kildoo Trail. Here’s the official website of McConnells Mill State Park.
2. Keystone State Park – Derry
1150 Keystone Park Rd, New Alexandria, PA 15670, USA
Keystone State Park transforms into a magical winter wonderland after a snowfall. Explore the winter wonderland along eight miles of hiking trails, with all six trails rating easy. Davis Run Trail, for example, stretches three miles and will lead you through the forest. This is one of the best places for some cold weather hiking near Pittsburgh. Learn more on the official website of Keystone State Park.
3. Moraine State Park – Portersville
225 Pleasant Valley Rd, Portersville, PA 16051, USA
Nearly 30 miles of hiking trails await at Moraine State Park, a picture-perfect destination any time of the year. Pleasant Valley Trail, at just under two miles, is a good trail if you want easy or if you want to do a little cross-country skiing. Once you’ve finished a hike, check out the other popular winter activities, including sledding and snowmobiling. Visit the official website of Moraine State Park.
Laurel Hill State Park boasts a beautiful beach during the summer and more than 15 miles of hiking trails that are breathtaking when capped in snow. The trails range from easy to hard, with the easiest and the shortest totaling just a mile. Copper Kettle Trail will take you past the beach and to the picnic area. This is the perfect place for winter hiking near Pittsburgh. Check out the official website of Laurel Hill State Park.
Discover a gorgeous winter landscape at Forbes State Forest. Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and hiking are all popular winter outdoor activities near Pittsburgh. The forest, in fact, features more than 250 miles of hiking trails, so you’re sure to find one that appeals to you. If you’re up for a multi-day trek, you can even follow the Laurel Highlands Trail, which spans from Ohiopyle to Johnstown. Find more on the official website of Forbes State Forest.
Address: McConnells Mill State Park, 1761 McConnells Mill Rd, Portersville, PA 16051, USA
Address: Keystone State Park, 1150 Keystone Park Rd, Derry, PA 15627, USA
Address: Moraine State Park, 225 Pleasant Valley Rd, Portersville, PA 16051, USA
Address: Laurel Hill State Park, 1454 Laurel Hill Park Rd, Somerset, PA 15501, USA
Address: Forbes State Forest, Cook Township, PA 15677, USA
Address: 1761 McConnells Mill Rd, Portersville, PA 16051, USA
Address: 1150 Keystone Park Rd, New Alexandria, PA 15670, USA
Address: 225 Pleasant Valley Rd, Portersville, PA 16051, USA
Address: 1454 Laurel Hill Park Rd, Somerset, PA 15501, USA
Address: Forbes State Forest, Cook Township, PA 15677, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hiking Near Pittsburgh
December 12, 2021
Melissa M.
What are some of the best things to do in winter in Pittsburgh?
The winter season allows us to experience the greater Pittsburgh area in a whole different way! And just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean we have to stay indoors all season. There are plenty of outdoor activities that can keep us entertained. Aside from winter hiking, there’s snow tubing at a place like Hidden Valley Resort which has a 450-foot tubing hill. Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion also boasts a wildly epic snow tubing hill as well, and it has 11 lanes!
What are some of the best winter outdoor activities near Pittsburgh?
Cold air can be quite refreshing in the winter and there are many adventures you can have outdoors near Pittsburgh. How about a walk around Fallingwater, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in Mill Run? You’ll be guided through the grounds of this incredible work of architecture and marvel at the beauty of the house from the exterior. If you have children, you may be looking for a good sledding hill and you can find several in this post.
Where can I find frozen waterfalls near Pittsburgh?
Waterfalls are always quite a beautiful sight to behold but in the winter when they freeze over, they look even more spectacular! Around the Pittsburgh area, there are several frozen falls you can encounter in the colder months like Cucumber Falls in Dunbar. Head out to Apollo and you can find the wondrous Jackson Falls frozen in time in the winter. You can learn about several other frozen waterfalls in this post.
Address: McConnells Mill State Park, 1761 McConnells Mill Rd, Portersville, PA 16051, USA
Address: Keystone State Park, 1150 Keystone Park Rd, Derry, PA 15627, USA
Address: Moraine State Park, 225 Pleasant Valley Rd, Portersville, PA 16051, USA
Address: Laurel Hill State Park, 1454 Laurel Hill Park Rd, Somerset, PA 15501, USA
Address: Forbes State Forest, Cook Township, PA 15677, USA
Address: 1761 McConnells Mill Rd, Portersville, PA 16051, USA
Address: 1150 Keystone Park Rd, New Alexandria, PA 15670, USA
Address: 225 Pleasant Valley Rd, Portersville, PA 16051, USA
Address: 1454 Laurel Hill Park Rd, Somerset, PA 15501, USA
Address: Forbes State Forest, Cook Township, PA 15677, USA
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