The Montour TrailFrequently Asked Questions Page
|
The Montour Trail Frequently Asked Questions Page |
|
Where can I find a map showing the completed sections and directions to the trail? |
|
For immediate viewing, click here for comprehensive interactive maps with directions to
trailheads online, along with a printable map. If you can wait a little longer, and would
like a map and trail guide sent via U.S. Mail, send an email with your name and address to
|
| Who do I contact for more information about the trail? |
|
If you have a question that doesn't require an "official response" from the MTC (for example,
suggestions on where to take a nice walk for birding, or where to find good ice cream near
the trail), you will probably get a faster response and perhaps more informed opinions from
one of the more than 600 subscribers in the email discussion group.
Other MTC contact information is shown on the "Contact Us" link near the bottom of this page.
|
| How can I help? |
|
See our Membership and Volunteering page for several
suggestions for helping with the trail.
|
| I sent a request for information a week ago. Why haven't I heard anything? |
|
We are an all-volunteer organization. Those answering the phone or emails generally have full
time jobs and do not have back-ups for when they are on vacation, out of town, ill, or just
plain swamped with other commitments. We'll do our best to respond as quickly as we can, but ask
for your understanding if you catch us at a busy time. Sometimes you can get a faster response
to some types of questions from the Montour-Trail discussion group.
|
| What are the Offical Trail Rules? |
|
|
How long does it take to ride from milepost 5.3 or 7.7 to milepost 46 at Clairton? |
|
First off, you have to realize that there are few gaps in the Montour Trail where you will have to ride on roads. To navigate these gaps, you can find directions for "Bypass Routes" on the Montour Trail Council web site. bypass routes The "Hendersonville to Arrowhead Trail" bypass involves a significant hill. At normal loaded cycling speeds of about 10 MPH, estimated total Montour Trail travel time would be 4.5 to 5.0 hours, depending if you walk up or ride up the hill. |
|
Are there directional signs that cyclists can follow on road detours around uncompleted sections of the Montour Trail? |
|
There are no signs along the roadway. To get from one trail segment to the next, follow the written directions for bypass routes on the Montour Trail web site: bypass routes The "Hendersonville to Arrowhead Trail" bypass involves a significant hill. |
|
Are there campgrounds along the Montour trail? |
|
At this writing, there are no campgrounds along the Montour Trail, however there is a Montour Trail Council committee tasked with identifying sites for future campgrounds. |
|
Where can I find out about camping and other available lodging along the Montour Trail and the Great Allegheny Passage? |
|
See the Allegheny Trail Alliance web site at Great Allegheny Passage , click on the map segment of interest, and click on map icons or the word "Amenities" below the map. |
|
Are there any other lodging opportunities not listed on the ATA web site? There seems to be very few options listed for the eastern half of the Montour Trail. |
|
There are no hotels in Clairton, Glassport, or McKeesport. Your other options are a very nice but somewhat pricey Bed and Breakfast in Jefferson Hills Borough, a less expensive motel on Route 51 in Jefferson Hills that involves a two mile ride down fairly busy four lane Route 51 that has no shoulders, or you ride to a bed and breakfast in Boston on the outskirts of McKeesport, which is probably a 30 to 45 minute bike ride partially on roads from milepost 46 at the end of the Montour Trail. See info at Great Allegheny Passage , click on the map segment of interest, and click on map icons or the word "Amenities" below the map. |
|
How can I ride a bike from the Greater Pittsburgh Airport to the Montour Trail? |
|
Presently, the airport is only accessible by motor vehicles on limited access highways.
As shown on the trail map at Montour Trail Map,
the Montour Trail council plans to have a branch trail go right to the airport.
We are working on providing bike access, but at the moment it does not yet exist.
There are safety and bureaucratic issues involved which makes it difficult to specify a completion date.
|
|
Are there hotels near the trail that provide free airport limousine service? |
|
There are two hotels next to the trail at trail milepost 5.3 which have
free shuttles from the airport for their guests. Call in advance to inquire
as to whether they can transport your bike. You could start out first thing
in the morning. |
|
How difficult is it to make the connection between the Montour Trail in Clairton and the Yough River Trail portion of the Great Allegheny Passage in McKeesport? |
|
Currently, this is a 4.5 mile long "Share the Road" adventure along a route known as the Steel Valley Trail (SVT). A good description of the SVT is presented in a 2002 Pittsburgh Post Gazette Article Steel Vally Trail. Following the route for the first time may not be clear. Detailed directions in the following MS Word file may help SVT Detailed Directions |
|
What should I do if I want to have a multi-person event on the Montour Trail? |
|
Please see the MTC's event policy at Trail Events and Special Activity Policy. |
File last updated on .