Braddocks Falls at Braddocks Trail Park near Pittsburgh, PA

About 30 minutes outside Pittsburgh is this little park with a lot of personality. Braddocks Trail Park which is has a bit of trails, a lovely waterfall, scenic lookout, and a wildflower walking tour.

Of course, I missed the scenic lookout which looks down on the Youghiogheny River because don’t have a map up during the winter. The wildflower walking tour was out for me as well because the flowers had yet to bloom.

But I took this great little hike up the hill and around two little loops. The trail had no one on it, so it was great alone time.

As I left the parking lot, I took the Eagle trail. It had a path to the right that I skipped. Then a path to the left which I skipped and went up the hill for a bit.

If you are looking to see the waterfall, go down the hill to the left. But if you head up, it is just a great view of large hills everywhere with a loop at the top to the left and another loop that will bring you back down to the parking area or the trail to the waterfall.

After I did the two loops, I got back to the trail down to the waterfall. It was all down hill which was nice after going uphill. But this trail is an easy slope.

Once at the waterfall, it is just so lovely. It is about 20 feet over some interesting rocks. I got some lovely view of ice falling down the falls since I went in early March. But I bet there is even more water after a storm or in the spring.

They have this wonderful bench if you want to sit for a bit but I went down the trail a bit and just enjoyed the place.

Unfortunately, you can still hear trains, traffic, and industrial noise. So, you can’t feel completely out of the city but it is just in the background. But on the other hand, it would be very hard to get lost and not find a way out of this park.

There just a bit of water coming as out as it was early March. But it was nice to see all the icicles. It also lacked a lot of green because it was winter.

Now, the great thing about this hike is when you get to the waterfall, you can go back up to the road which is closed for an easy walk back to the parking area. lol.

Going up to the road gets you back to the parking lot but going down the trail gives you a great view of a bunch of stuff.

It follows the gorge and around the mountain a bit but I just went down about half way.

Back at the waterfall, the road above will allow you to do one of two items: go to the right and extent your hike or to the left to go back to the parking lot.

The waterfall has a bit of a small waterfall you can not see unless you go up to the road and down a bit. But it is through some trees so not a great view. It is pretty.

This is a great park to relax in for a bit. I am not sure if this will be more then a few hours even with all the different trails.

If you are looking for the overlook, it the trail across the road and over the bridge. I did not have a chance to go but you might.

Also, you have to travel a few roads that are in a housing neighborhood. If you are not looking for this park, then you wouldn’t find it. Therefore, it does not have a lot of people traffic except for the locals.

I loved the waterfall. As always, this is the best part of any hike. To see a waterfall that is less then 30 minute from down Pittsburgh. And a beautiful one at that. I can just image how green this area is during the Spring and summer.

If your in town for business during the summer, I would run here as soon as I got off. It is light until about 8 ish. So you would have about 2 hours to enjoy some exercise and the waterfall unless you can get off early.