Great Little Walks in the Pittsburgh Area [Spiral-bound]

Yvonne Merrill (Author), Mary Shaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2005

The book is a comprehensive directory of 12 local walking trails, including maps and details about access to public transportation, bathroom facilities, mileage, slope and trail surface. Most of these trails double as cycling routes, although they draw more walkers than bikers. Some routes are well known, like the Eliza Furnace, known colloquially as the "jail trail" that runs between the eastbound and westbound lanes of the busy Parkway East ("The buzz of the city gives way to the open feel of modern industry and great views of the Monongahela River"). Others are underused, such as the more peaceful trail across the river on the South Side. Eight are accessible by public transportation, five are within the city of Pittsburgh, four include stretches of the Montour Trail west of the city and three are east of the city. Lengths range from a 1.5-mile loop around Washington's Landing to a round-trip, 9.2-mile option on the Youghiogheny River Trail from Sutersville to Dravo Cemetery in Elizabeth Township. Most are 1.5 to 4 miles. The walks are typically out and back so they can be shortened to suit the individual. They all are a short section of an extensive trail systems so they can be lengthened as well. The guide was developed because Allegheny Trail Alliance got so many requests for information when they spoke to groups about trail opportunities.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Read this litte gem then lace up your walking shoes! --Pamela Vingle

About the Author

Yvonne Merrill, the Older Adult Program Coordinator of the Allegheny Trail Alliance, did the legwork -- literally -- to put together the guide. She estimates she walked more than 100 miles compiling information about the trails, walking each at least twice. Often she rolled her bicycle beside her to get a more accurate mileage count from the bike's odometer, rather than from her less dependable pedometer. Mary Shaw came up with the concept and format. Her extensive knowledge of the local trails helped to select which section of each trail to include. She co-authored the comprehensive guide to bicycle trails in the area FreeWheeling Easy in Western Pennsylvania which is also available from amazon.com.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 64 pages
• Publisher: Great Allegheny Press (May 15, 2005)
• ISBN-10: 0972732438
• ISBN-13: 978-0972732437
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,504,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Little Walks In the Pittsburgh Area, June 26, 2003

By 

Pamela Vingle (West Mifflin, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Little Walks in the Pittsburgh Area (Spiral-bound)

This is the only book you'll need if you are ready to get off the couch and into the great outdoors---a little at a time. If you are one of those people who keep saying that you SHOULD check out those trails that all of your active friends are talking about---this is the book that will inspire you.It is so well organized. The authors have second-guessed you and answered EVERY question(about each trail)before you even leave home! They even tell you what to look for when you're out there.
Read this litte gem then lace up your walking shoes!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A newer edition is now available. Search for 0972732438, May 14, 2006

By 

Roy Weil - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Little Walks in the Pittsburgh Area (Spiral-bound)

A 2005 edition is now available. It has the year in the upper right corner of the cover. If no date visible, enter 0972732438 in the search box at the top of the page and click GO, Amazon will take you to the new edition.

The new edition is very similar to the old, with only a few minor changes. It is not worth buying the new edition if you have the old one.

5.0 out of 5 stars Did walk number 9 today - National Tunnel, December 31, 2009

By 

Kathleen Haak "librarygirl01" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Little Walks in the Pittsburgh Area (Spiral-bound)

Today I completed walk number 9 and everything was just as described in the book. I did get turned around when I started but that was due to my inablity to determain West vs anything the book said. lol

Had a very positive experience at the National Tunnel.