While visiting Pittsburgh I took to this trail numerous times and did not get bored even though I rode some of the same sections multiple times. Basically I covered mile marker 150 (the Point) to mile marker 133 McKeesport. This section is paved with the exception of mile 140 at the Waterfront in West Homestead. So much history to see and it was great taking a trip down memory lane since I was born and raised in Pittsburgh. I have photo's to post and will review each ride separately as short rides with highlights. This trail is part of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP)

June 5th - my brother and myself had a wonderful day biking the Panhandle and a little of the Montour. We started at the McDonald Trail Station and on a surprising note there was a pancake breakfast benefit. We met a nice couple that was working there selling the tickets and items benefiting the trail. Were awesome to talk to. We started the trail going east. We always enjoy seeing dedications to the war hero's - there was a very nice one in Oakdale. We met folks / scouts working on the flower beds that day too. Trails always offer things to see or explore. Rennerdale - there is a place you can look for fern fossils. The best part of this trail was near the end before Walker's Mill. There is a beautiful rock quarry that is a must see. We came back to the McDonald Trail Station and had some fantastic blueberry pancakes before going west. The trail station is a museum too. A lot of oil history. Not to far west is where you are by Montour trail. We did go over the McDonald Trestle bridge on our way back. It really is a must to do. Our west trip took us as far as Joffre. In Bulgar, is another nice war memorial to those that served. What was most enjoyable is a stretch where the trail travels through a large open area where it has a slight hill climb but there are some good pictures if you like this type of scenery. The day ended with good ice-cream in McDonalds at M.A.'s Ice Cream Shop. My brother had the largest 'small' ice cream cone I ever saw.

I enjoyed this 36 mile RT ride and recommend exploring this spur. I found it even more enjoyable than the very pleasant Dilltown to Vintondale segment of the trail that immediately preceded it. The first 4 miles of the spur were great, with some surprises at the end of that segment, i.e. scenic rapids and a section that allowed me to ride just inches from the water, which was high from recent rains. The next four miles (Snitty's Way) were an uphill grade and very sunny with too little shade for my taste on a hot day. The last 4 miles were pleasant and shady again. The ride back down the spur to Vintondale was easy and fast, mostly a slight downhill grade. All in all, a good day on the trail.

This pretty trail is less than ideal for only a few reasons: 1) parts are gravel and parts paved, which frustrates riders who crave pave 2) it can be quite hot on a warm day, with too little shade for long stretches, 3) it does not parallel a stream or river, for those who prefer to bike along waterways, and 4) if you want to do the whole trail from PA to WVA in one day, stay overnight, and come back the next, the good news is that there are at least 3 motels near the trail's end in Weirton. The bad news is that they're over 1 mile straight up a long hill from the trail's end, requiring bikers to ride on the berm of busy Rte. 22 (or take the longer Cove Rd.) to the lodging options at Three Springs Drive. For those who might want to travel from Weirton to Pittsburgh and stay over, I know of no lodging w/i 3 miles of the Walker's Mill endpoint.

Only a few places towards the shinnston end are not blacktop very nice ride do recommend

Rode from Saltsburg to Rangos and back. This section of the trail lives up to it's five star rating. If you're looking for bridges or tunnels all you get are two bridges and a road underpass in the first 3 minutes of riding but you do ride along the Loyalhanna Creek for a ways. This is just a very nice, shady trail in the woods most of the time and the trail surface is in good condition. The caveat is that after a few miles you start a long, consistent uphill climb. My Garmin bike computer put it at 3% most of the time and at 4% once. There is one small community, Slickville, along the way but I didn't see any amenities there. After you top out you'll go back down a ways and cross a large reservoir before coming to the end of this section. Of course, that climb means a nice run back down on the way back. I thoroughly enjoyed this trail.

Walked the trail on May 15th. It looks like they did alot of work on drainage, more stones and fencing. Well taken care of and a beautiful view.

I followed the review from September 2020 "Beautiful scenery...good trail surface...enjoyed the coast back down the hill
bikin-mike"

He knows what he's talking about! The Spring Suites was the perfect spot to start the trail unless you want to see the dilapidated area of Morgantown, although the trail is paved. Behind the hotel is a HUGE lot for Semi-truck parking and you can easily slip over to the trail without being in danger or crossing any barriers.

The trail itself is..... steep. But it is a slight incline, remember a train used to ride on it so it can't be too crazy steep. I was able to maintain a reasonable speed of 8-10mph with my 26x2.0in mountain bike but i was pushing it. The first few miles had a lot of busy road crossings but afterwards you follow the creek which is quite a bit below the trail. The waterfall pictures you see in the gallery took some rock crawling to get to but nothing too difficult for someone in good shape.

The rapids and waterfalls lasted for a few miles and then the creek gets closer in elevation to the trail and is much calmer. Still a beautiful wooded area with a creek. I rode a mile or 2 past Masontown park, it meets right up to the trail and signs are everywhere. There are a few bridges but the trail becomes much more bland compared to what you've just experienced..... so again I agree with the previous review mentioned, turn around at Masontown.

Your way back will be much easier! You can coast at a slower speed or if you pedal you're able to make it back 3x's faster than on the way up.

All and all, you will be tired but you will be VERY glad you did this trail! Spectacular!

The trail is in 2 sections. A north and south section. In between these 2 portions is Morgantowns' downtown Caperton Trail. You can ride the entire Mon River Trail by using the 6 mile Caperton Trail as a connector. Bringing the total mileage to around 30miles one way.

The entire trail is currently maintained very well. Any bike should be able to easily traverse it. No downed trees or unkept areas. The path was very packed down and smooth for not being asphalt. A gravel/road bike would have no problem. I was able to maintain a consistent speed I normally have on asphalt.

There is a parking area for around 5 cars that's almost exactly in the middle of the trail, east of I-79 bridge. Morning could be a 30mile round trip to do the south section. Grab lunch back at your car. Then head north for another 30 miles doing the Caperton Trail and North section of Mon River Trail.