Duquesne Heights Greenway, Emerald View Regional Park, Duquesne Heights: 1874 Greenleaf Street
The Duquesne Heights Greenway is one of my favorite hikes, partly because it offers incredible views and cycles between leisurely meandering and challenging climbs—but it’s really my favorite because it’s the first Greenway I explored several years ago.
While I was aware of the many Greenway trails scattered throughout Pittsburgh, I was anxious about exploring them alone. This uncertainty isn’t unreasonable; many people have legitimate concerns about walking in a park or wooded area. Because of this, I try to be transparent about my experiences and offer solutions, because places like the Duquesne Heights Greenway are too beautiful to have anxiety keep you away.
Exploring a Greenway trail is different from walking in popular parks like Schenley or Frick. Depending on your location, cell service could be spotty, the narrow path may be steep, muddy, or have occasional obstructions, and in some places, the drop-offs down a hillside may be significant. This is why joining a group hike (or creating your own with friends and family) is ideal for your first time walking through an unfamiliar area.
My first walk through the Duquesne Heights Greenway was with a Meet-up Group, which was a blast. I navigated the landscape without incident beyond some mosquito bites and tired feet. A few weeks later, I returned with a friend and her dog and explored additional trails. As time passed, my confidence grew and I became more comfortable with solo hikes.
It’s been nearly a year since I’ve walked the Duquesne Heights Greenway, and the changes that have come are noticeable. It was great to see the new and the familiar, and muse on future plans and current projects. Catching up with an “old friend” in this way always leaves me for the better.
As I close, I’d also like to share that I have participated in many hiking events offered by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and CitiParks park rangers. These are often free, and all of them have been interesting and fun. It’s a great way to experience parks and trails in a safe, inclusive way. I cannot recommend them enough!
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