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The Loop Trail provides an alternate route to the Great Allegheny Passage between Boston and McKeesport. The route separates from the Great Allegheny Passage at Boston, crosses the Boston Bridge over the Youghiogheny River, then travels on-road for a mile through Versailles. At Douglas St in McKeesport, the off-road trail begins. The trail is dirt for a short distance, then is paved the rest of the way. The scenery is mostly industrial, but the trail passes close to many restaurants and a bike shop along Walnut St. The north end of the trail has views of the Youghiogheny River. The trail ends at the Great Allegheny Passage. Here you can continue north to Pittsburgh or cross the 15th St Bridge to travel back to Boston on the other side of the river.
Parking is available along the trail at Douglas St just west of the Mon Valley Recycling Center and at 28th St south of Walnut St. You can also park at the Boston trailhead of the Great Allegheny Passage (1906 Donner St).
When heading to Boston from Pittsburgh on the GAP, you can use this "loop" option to avoid climbing a short, relatively steep area near the end of River Ridge Road, although you will be pretty close to Boston at that point, anyway. Taking the loop will get you to the Boston Bridge in a short time while riding through some industrial areas and neighborhoods. You will encounter very little vehicle traffic, if any at all. Most of the paved areas have been recently re-paved (2024) which makes the ride smooth for the most part. I use the loop just for a change of pace at times.
Time-wise, it makes no difference.
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