Easy Family Hiking Trails in and Around Pittsburgh, PA

Family hikes are a fun and free activity that get everyone moving and enjoying nature. But many hiking trails are just too strenuous for smaller children, making it tough to plan this type of activity for a family. However, Pittsburgh has lots of wonderful spots for easy family hikes in and just outside the city. These walking trails in Pittsburgh are flat or have mild slopes, aren't very long, and include scenic spots where your family can enjoy a picnic snack or lunch. If you're looking for a fun time outdoors with your family, consider these family walking trails right here in Pittsburgh, PA.

Schenley Park Trail
Schenley Park is one of the most scenic parks in Pittsburgh, and it's a great park for families. There are several trails that run through Schenley, from easy to difficult. For a fun family hike, start at the Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor's Center. Walk towards Phipps Conservatory and take in the outdoor garden there. Next, walk up Flagstaff Hill and then down the other side, ending at Westinghouse Pond. If you still have some energy, take Phipps Run Trail over Panther Hollow Bridge and play on Anderson Playground, one of the best playgrounds in Pittsburgh. This is a simple nature hike for families, taking you past some of the most beautiful gardens in Schenley Park.

Harmony Trail
Harmony Trail is part of the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy. Following the Harmony trolley line that ran from 1908 to 1931, this trail is now a planned hiking, biking and walking trail. The trail is gravel and about one mile long, which is great for a family hike. It's wide and flat, perfect for a walk out in nature with children, and it's only 20 minutes north of Pittsburgh. To get there, take the Wexford Exit off of US-79, travel east less than two miles on Wexford Road (Rt. 910), and park at the bottom of the hill at Wexford Run Road (labeled Pine Water Shed). The trail is not well-marked, but nice and peaceful once you get there. For a detailed description and photos of the trail, click here.

Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve is the headquarters for the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. There are over five miles of trails here, which meander around the 134 acres of nature sanctuary. The trails vary from a ten-minute walk to an hour hike, but all of them are well-suited to family hikes. You can discover meadows, streams, forests and all sorts of wildlife protected on the reserve. There are other points of interest where your family can learn about nature, so you can spend the better part of the day there if you wish. Beechwood Farms is only 20 minutes northeast of downtown Pittsburgh, so it's the perfect choice for a scenic hike with your family.