WH Trail

The WH Trail — officially the Westmoreland Heritage Trail — is a 20-kilometre point-to-point rail-trail in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States, gaining approximately 180 m of elevation along a reclaimed railway corridor from Saltsburg to Trafford. Rated easy, it is a wide, accessible multi-use greenway through coal-country farmland, reservoir woodland and historic Pennsylvania boroughs.

About the WH Trail

The Westmoreland Heritage Trail (WHT) is one of western Pennsylvania's most accessible multi-use greenways, threading 20 kilometres through the heart of Westmoreland County on a reclaimed railway right-of-way. The trail takes its name from the county's deep industrial heritage: Westmoreland was once a hub of Pennsylvania's bituminous coal industry, and the rail lines that once carried coal cars now carry hikers, cyclists, joggers and cross-country skiers through the landscapes that built the region.

The trail surface is wide and predominantly crushed limestone — smooth enough for road bikes, prams and wheelchair users, yet firm underfoot for trail shoes on a long day's walk. Nine trailheads, each with free parking, mark entry points along the corridor, making it easy to walk individual segments or string the whole route into a single day. Formal amenities are minimal on the trail itself, but the communities of Saltsburg, Slickville, Export, Murrysville and Trafford sit near or on the route, providing food, water and accommodation.

A planned extension will eventually connect the existing corridor to the Great Allegheny Passage — a 335-kilometre rail-trail linking Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland — turning the WHT into a gateway to one of the eastern United States' premier long-distance cycling and walking routes.

For those interested in ultralight travel strategies for day hikes and rail-trails, the Best Ultralight Backpacks 2026 guide covers the lightest packs well suited to routes like the WH Trail.

Route Overview & Stages

The WH Trail runs point-to-point from Saltsburg in the east to B-Y Park in Trafford in the west, covering approximately 20 km across five logical stages. The eastern half rises steadily from the Conemaugh River valley through rolling farmland to the ridge at Slickville, then descends through woodland to Beaver Run Reservoir. The western half is largely flat, tracing a quiet greenway through Export and Murrysville before ending in Trafford. Walkers completing the full route in a single day should plan 5–7 hours at a comfortable pace; cyclists can cover the same distance in 1.5–2.5 hours.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Saltsburg Borough — The trail's eastern terminus sits in this compact historic town at the confluence of the Conemaugh River and Loyalhanna Creek. Once a busy canal and salt-processing centre, Saltsburg retains 19th-century brick storefronts and a riverside park that makes it an excellent starting or finishing point for the full trail.
• West Penn Trail Junction — At Saltsburg, the WHT meets the West Penn Trail, itself part of a growing network of converted rail corridors across western Pennsylvania. Extending your walk along the West Penn Trail adds kilometres of river valley scenery toward Blairsville.
• Beaver Run Reservoir — The most scenic single feature on the WH Trail, this drinking-water reservoir appears after the steep descent from Slickville Ridge. Calm water reflects surrounding hardwood forest, and the area is a reliable habitat for great blue herons, belted kingfishers and, in spring, migrating waterfowl.
• Slickville Ridge Viewpoint — The climb from Sara Steele Trailhead to Slickville gains 75 m and rewards walkers with open ridge views across Westmoreland County's farming valleys. On clear days, the elevated terrain of Chestnut Ridge is visible to the southeast.
• Duff Park Connector (Murrysville) — Near the Roberts Parcel Trailhead in Murrysville, a short spur links to Duff Park, a 325-hectare natural area with additional single-track hiking trails through mature oak–hickory forest — a worthwhile detour if time allows.
• John Rangos Trailhead — A well-positioned mid-route access point with ample parking, making it the most popular starting point for out-and-back walks to Beaver Run Reservoir. Located off SR 66 North near Greensburg Street, it is the easiest trailhead to find for first-time visitors.
• B-Y Park, Trafford — The trail's western terminus doubles as a community park in the borough of Trafford. Picnic tables, restrooms and green space make it a welcoming end to a full through-walk of the 20 km corridor.
• Heritage Corridor Interpretation Panels — At several points along the trail, information panels interpret the corridor's railroad and industrial past — coal-hauling steam locomotives, local labour history and the transformation from working railway to public greenway. These panels add cultural texture to what might otherwise read as a pure fitness route.

Best Time to Hike the WH Trail

The WH Trail is open and walkable year-round, though trail conditions and enjoyment vary considerably across Pennsylvania's four seasons.

Spring (April–May) brings the strongest combination of mild temperatures, lower humidity and wildflower bloom along the corridor. Temperatures in May sit between 12–18 °C, wildflowers carpet the margins of the Beaver Run Reservoir section, and rainfall is moderate rather than heavy. Trail surfaces drain well after winter and are firm underfoot.

May is the single best month to walk the WHT. The forest canopy leafs out fully, birdsong fills the corridor, and you avoid summer's humidity and the competition for trailhead parking that peaks in July and August.

Summer (June–August) is the busiest season, with families, cyclists and joggers all using the trail heavily. Temperatures frequently exceed 30 °C in July and August, and western Pennsylvania's humidity makes walking feel harder than the easy gradient suggests. Early-morning starts (before 9 a.m.) are strongly recommended. Water is not reliably available between trailheads, so carry at least 1.5 litres per person on summer walks.

Autumn (September–October) is a close rival to May for trail quality. Pennsylvania's hardwood forest turns vivid orange, red and gold from mid-October onward, and the Slickville–Beaver Run Reservoir section is particularly photogenic. Temperatures settle to 10–20 °C, and the trail is noticeably quieter than summer. As of 2026, fall foliage on this corridor typically peaks in the second and third week of October.

Winter (November–March) transforms the WHT into a cross-country skiing and snowshoeing route after significant snowfall. The wide, flat surface suits classic cross-country skiing well, and Westmoreland County typically records 60–100 cm of snow annually. Some trailhead parking areas may be unploughed after heavy snowfall events.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The WH Trail has no trail huts, hostels or camping platforms along its corridor — it was designed as a day-use route rather than an overnight backpacking trail. The closest accommodation clusters along the US 22 corridor in Export and Murrysville, roughly at the midpoint of the trail.

• Murrysville / Export (mid-trail) — Several chain hotels and motels sit within 2–3 km of the Roberts Parcel and Old William Penn trailheads along US 22. Expect rates of $90–$140 per night (approximately €83–€129) for standard rooms. These are convenient for splitting the trail across two shorter out-and-back days.
• Saltsburg — The eastern terminus town has a small selection of bed-and-breakfast properties in restored 19th-century buildings. Budget approximately $80–$120 per night (€74–€110). Book ahead in summer and during autumn colour season, when demand outstrips supply.
• Pittsburgh base — For those using Pittsburgh as a hub, the full range of city hotels is available, with driving times of 35–55 minutes to most trailheads depending on location along the corridor.

Getting There & Back

The WH Trail is most easily reached by private car. Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is the nearest major airport, approximately 35–50 kilometres (30–45 minutes' drive) from the trailheads. All nine trailheads offer free parking. For a point-to-point through-walk, the most practical approach is to leave a second vehicle at Trafford's B-Y Park and drive to the Saltsburg Trailhead to begin walking.

Public transit options are limited. Port Authority of Allegheny County bus routes connect Pittsburgh to Trafford, but services are infrequent and do not reach Saltsburg or the eastern sections of the trail. For most visitors, a rental car from Pittsburgh International Airport is the most reliable option.

The Westmoreland County official trail page maintains current trailhead maps, parking information and trail closure notices.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk or cycle the Westmoreland Heritage Trail. Access is free at all nine trailheads, seven days a week, year-round. Parking at all trailhead lots is also free of charge. There are no trail registration systems or hiker quotas. Dogs are welcome on the trail provided they are kept on a lead and waste is removed.

Gear & Packing List

The WH Trail is an easy, well-surfaced rail-trail, so extensive backcountry gear is not needed. That said, being well-equipped makes a 20-kilometre day considerably more comfortable — especially in summer heat or a fast-moving autumn squall.

Footwear: Road-running shoes or lightweight trail runners are ideal for the crushed-stone surface. Waterproof hiking boots are unnecessary unless you plan to explore Duff Park's side trails or walk after prolonged rain.

Pack: A light daypack of 12–20 litres is sufficient for the full route. Fast hikers and runners suit the Salomon ADV Skin 12 vest — minimal, body-hugging and sweat-wicking. Those carrying extra layers and a packed lunch find the Salomon ADV Skin 20 the next step up in volume without much added weight. Walkers who prefer a traditional structured daypack with hip-belt support will do well with the Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35, which distributes 8–10 kg comfortably over a full day's walking.

Water: Carry a minimum of 1.5 litres in summer; 1 litre suffices in cooler months. Water refill points are not available on the trail itself — fill up at Saltsburg, a Murrysville business or a Trafford café before setting out.

Nutrition: For a full 20 km walk, budget 1,800–2,200 kcal depending on your pace and body weight. The guide How Many Calories Do You Need Hiking a Full Day? breaks down the calculations in useful detail.

Navigation: The trail is well-marked with signage at trailheads, but downloading the official WHT map or an offline GPS map for first-time visitors makes locating trailheads from the road far simpler.

Layers: Western Pennsylvania weather can shift quickly. A lightweight rain jacket is worth carrying regardless of the forecast, particularly in spring and autumn when temperatures can drop 10 °C between morning and evening.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the WH Trail's point-to-point format appeals, other American trails offer comparable structure across very different landscapes. The canyon trails of the American Southwest trade the WHT's gentle rail-corridor character for dramatic elevation change and high-desert geology — the contrast is striking, and each is memorable in its own right.

• South Kaibab Trail (United States) — A steep, exposed descent into the Grand Canyon with no shade and jaw-dropping geological layering. The polar opposite of the WHT in difficulty, it shares the point-to-point format and rewards careful planning.
• North Kaibab Trail (United States) — The Grand Canyon's north-rim descent, longer and slightly cooler than the South Kaibab, typically combined with it for a full rim-to-rim traverse.
• Hidden Canyon (United States) — A short but compelling walk in Zion National Park that finishes inside a narrow sandstone slot canyon, ideal as a half-day addition to Zion's main corridor.
• Clouds Rest Trail (United States) — Yosemite's less-visited summit alternative to Half Dome, offering sweeping Sierra Nevada views and a genuine sense of alpine wilderness close to the valley.
• Panorama Trail (United States) — A classic Yosemite circuit linking waterfalls and granite viewpoints above the valley floor, well suited to strong day hikers.

For a very different point-to-point experience in a mountain setting, the Theth to Valbona Hike in Albania shows what a challenging high-alpine crossing looks like at the opposite end of the difficulty spectrum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to hike the WH Trail?
May and October are the two strongest months. In May, wildflowers bloom along the corridor, temperatures sit between 12–18 °C, and trail surfaces are firm after winter. October brings Pennsylvania's famous hardwood foliage in orange and red. Both months offer comfortable walking conditions and avoid summer's heat and humidity. If forced to choose one, May gives the best all-round trail experience, while October is the better choice specifically for autumn colour.

How difficult is the Westmoreland Heritage Trail?
The WH Trail is rated easy. It follows a reclaimed railway corridor, which by design maintains a gentle grade — railways cannot tolerate steep inclines. The most demanding section is the climb from Sara Steele Trailhead to Slickville, gaining roughly 75 m over 4.5 km, which most walkers find comfortable at a steady pace. The wide, even surface makes the trail accessible for families with prams, older walkers and users with mobility aids.

How far can you walk in a day on the WH Trail?
The full point-to-point route covers 20 km, which most moderately fit walkers can complete in 5–7 hours including breaks. Because nine trailheads provide flexible access points, shorter segments are equally popular: a 10 km return from Saltsburg to Slickville, or an 8 km return from John Rangos Trailhead to Beaver Run Reservoir, are both well-used half-day options. There are no purpose-built multi-day itineraries for the WHT.

Where can you stay when walking the WH Trail?
There are no huts, hostels or camping sites on the trail. The best options are hotels and motels along US 22 in the Murrysville–Export area (approximately €83–€129 per night), bed-and-breakfasts in Saltsburg (approximately €74–€110 per night), or city hotels in Pittsburgh if you prefer a 35–50 km drive to the trailheads each morning. Booking ahead is recommended during October's autumn foliage season when local accommodation fills quickly.

Do you need a permit to walk the WH Trail?
No permit is required. The Westmoreland Heritage Trail is free to access at all nine trailheads, year-round, seven days a week. There are no registration systems, hiker quotas or parking fees. Dogs must be kept on a lead throughout the trail. The only costs to factor in are fuel or a car rental from Pittsburgh, and any food and accommodation you choose along the route.