Iron Gate Trail – Footpath along Nine Mile Run stream loop from Allegheny Cemetery

If you're looking for a truly unique and challenging touring cycling experience in Pittsburgh, the Iron Gate Trail – Footpath along Nine Mile Run stream loop from Allegheny Cemetery promises a difficult 17.7 miles (28.5 km) with 1397 feet (426 metres) of climbing, estimated to take 2 hours and 11 minutes. However, be warned: this isn't your typical touring route, and it combines sections that are largely incompatible for road-oriented bikes, making it best suited for highly adventurous cyclists prepared for significant off-bike sections.

What to expect on Iron Gate Trail – Footpath along Nine Mile Run stream loop from Allegheny Cemetery

This route is a patchwork of Pittsburgh's green spaces, offering a journey through vastly different terrains. You'll start with the Iron Gate Trail, a predominantly mountain bike singletrack in Frick Park, characterized by roots, berms, rollers, and even small jumps, with a challenging uphill section gaining about 350 feet in under a mile. This section is rated Black Diamond for mountain biking and is largely unsuitable for touring bicycles. Transitioning to the Nine Mile Run Trail, you'll find a generally flat crushed gravel path following the picturesque Nine Mile Run creek, offering views of interesting cliffs and reclaimed natural beauty. Finally, the route takes you through Allegheny Cemetery, where you'll navigate paved, often sharply graded roads amidst historic monuments, diverse nature, and serene park-like settings. This combination demands adaptability and a willingness to push your bike through technical sections.

Planning your visit

Connecting these disparate sections into a cohesive touring cycling loop presents significant challenges. The Iron Gate Trail is a technical mountain bike trail, and touring cyclists will likely need to push their bikes through much of it. Furthermore, parts of the Nine Mile Run Trail are currently subject to closures due to the Commercial St Bridge replacement project, which can make through-traffic impossible in certain sections. Allegheny Cemetery explicitly allows bicycles on its paved roads, but cyclists must respect a 20 mph speed limit and the solemnity of the grounds. Given the varied conditions and potential closures, it's wise to check local trail conditions before attempting this ambitious route.

Trail details

• Distance: 17.7 miles (28.5 km)
• Elevation gain: 1397 feet (426 metres)
• Difficulty: difficult
• Estimated time: 2 hours and 11 minutes