Garvin Park, Perry North

Garvin Park, Perry North: Garvin Street

Thanks to Pittsburgh’s extraordinarily hilly terrain, the city offers a seemingly endless number of gorgeous vistas and sweeping panoramas. Whether you’re strolling along Grandview Avenue in Mount Washington, climbing the city steps of the South Side Slopes, or marveling at the three rivers from the West End Overlook, the euphoria of feeling like you’re at the top of the world (well, maybe not “the world” but at least the highest spot in Pittsburgh) is real.

Except you’re not. While all those locations have impressive elevations, they are not the highest point in the city. That honor belongs to the Brashear Reservoir in Perry North. At 1,371 feet above sea level, it is the highest point in the city, and you need to work for PWSA or one of the media outlets that use the nearby transmission towers to traverse it legally. The closest one can get is either climbing the Montana Street city steps, where you’re greeted by a fence and a no-trespassing sign, or visiting Garvin Park, a ball field on a dead-end street directly below.

For those who come with expectations of witnessing the best of the best views, you may be disappointed. While there’s lots of big sky overhead and some glimpses of downtown skyscrapers, it’s less about the built environment. Ripples of hills spread out below, punctuated by rooftops, trees, and more hills. It’s a different way of seeing the city that harkens back to pre-industrialization days: natural, quiet, and devoid of anyone trying to capture the perfect Pittsburgh photo.

Love Pittsburgh’s City Steps? Get a Copy of the NEW Book!

City Steps of Pittsburgh: A History & Guide explores the history of the steps and the neighborhoods in which they were built. It also includes 13 guided walks and 20+ locations worth visiting—all with detailed descriptions, directions, and resources for creating your own urban hiking adventure. All areas of Pittsburgh are represented: north, south, east, and west. The book is available through all online shops (including our publisher) and local and independent bookstores.