Three Rivers Heritage Trail Accessibility
We work to ensure that Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Heritage Trail is enjoyable for everyone. Use this comprehensive Trail Accessibility guide to learn more about what trails have to offer for people of all capabilities. Whether you travel on wheels or on foot, travel alone or with dog or stroller, we’ve got you covered!
This page offers a description of trail segments across the city, curated for specific accessibility needs. Segments are linked to All Trails maps so each experience can be visualized from photos, an elevation map, and a birds-eye-view. All of our trails are compiled in a chart that clearly displays the accessibility features or limitations of each trail.
Accessibility By Segment
This experience takes users along the South Side portion of the Monongahela River. In this experience, visit Color Park, the city’s only legal graffiti park that Friends opened in 2018. This entirely paved trail has low grades and trail users have public access to a water fountain and public restroom by taking an elevator up to The Highline. Note that a railroad crossing stands in between these amenities and the trail.
This experience starts at a free, publicly accessible parking lot and navigates along Boulevard of the Allies into downtown. The trailhead has portable bathrooms (not wheelchair accessible) at the trailhead, along with a water fountain and a picnic area. The only notable obstacle is a section close to downtown that has bollards spaced 38.5″ apart that limit trail width.
This experience provides great views of Pittsburgh’s skyline and brings users to North Shore destinations like the Mr. Rogers Memorial, Water Steps, and the stadiums. This trail is quite accessible with its wide and paved surface and low grades. The Carnegie Science Center provides a public ADA-compliant restroom with a changing table and water fountain – all available during the center’s open hours.
This North Side experience takes a less traveled route, starting by Acrisure Stadium and heading down the Ohio River into the Marshall Shadeland neighborhood.
Junction Hollow is a key segment of trail connecting Oakland with the trail along the Monongahela River. This asphalt trail has a chemical toilet – but this bathroom is not wheelchair accessible. Note that this trail segment contains elevation grades around 5-6%. A public parking lot is available on Boundary Street for users, though it is not marked with any handicap parking.
Generally considered a more secluded route, Duck Hollow is a great trail to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The trail has handicap parking at its one trail head and then navigates near Hazelwood before turning back. While there is accessible parking, a wide asphalt trail, and minimal elevation change, this experience lacks some of the amenities other segments of trails offer – such as restrooms, benches, or a drinking fountain.
Perhaps the most iconic spot along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, this route will bring users around Point State Park, with a notable pass by the Point State Park Fountain. This experience has access to public, seasonal restrooms with changing tables located in the Point State Park Pump House. Public drinking fountains are also open for use. There are four designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of Commonwealth Place at the southwest end of the trail. Two of them are van-accessible with striped access aisles. The trail surface is paved asphalt or concrete and is typically at least 5 feet wide.
If you like to travel with frequent stops to rest, this trail may be for you! This trail has a number of benches along it – perfect for stopping to sit and rest. The trail has minimal elevation change and has a smooth asphalt surface.
If you want to explore a newer Pittsburgh park, this route may be for you. This experience takes users through Allegheny RiverTrail Park – which hosts a number of amenities such as wheelchair accessible restrooms, baby changing tables, benches, and public drinking water. This trail segment offers minimal elevation changes and has a paved surface, making it highly accessible.
This trail, starting by the lower entrance of the Duquesne Incline, provides great views of downtown Pittsburgh. The trail navigates slightly past Station Square by the Pittsburgh Glasshouse, where there is a drinking fountain, bike repair tools, and great views. This route maintains shallow elevation grades less than 2%. The surface is mostly asphalt – with a notable exception where the trail is paved with somewhat uneven bricks. The parking lot for the trail is gravel and does not have designated handicap parking spots.
Accessible Boat launches:
- There is an accessible boat launch located in Springdale.
- Friends of the Riverfront worked with Steel City Rowing and Verona Borough to open a new ADA-accessible boat launch located in Verona!
Other Resources:
- Joy Riders allows individuals of all ages who have physical limitations to enjoy a scenic ride in Pittsburgh along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.
What would you like to see on this page?
The goal of this page is to provide a comprehensive user-tool so that the Three Rivers Heritage Trail can be experienced by everyone. If you have any questions, concerns, or content ideas, please email them to friends@friendsoftheriverfront.org.
