Red/Blue Blaze

The Red/Blue Blaze Trail is heavily used. It's an in-and-out path extends for 2 miles "as a crow flies" and is 6 miles of continuous, uninterrupted trail. This is a must-do hike for people in the Pittsburgh area, as it is only a few miles from the city but offers seclusion. The Red/Blue Blaze Trail runs from North Ridge Road near the Ice Skating Rink to Irwin Run where Babcock Blvd intersects Pierce Mill Rd. The trail was originally constructed in the mid 1990's By Dave Brunger and Bill Kirk as the Rainbow Trail. This runs from the Skating Rink side to the Wisconsin Shelter. To find the trailhead from the Ice Skating rink side, start at the Olympia Shelter parking lot (across Pierce Mill Rd from the Skating Rink). Ride up North Ridge Rd for ~50 yards. The trail will start to your right. The trail winds up the initial ~.25 mile climb. The trail is continually marked with red/blue blazes, but does not cross any other trails. There are multiple opt-out locations in case you get tired or run short on time. All opt-outs put you on North Ridge Drive, which you can take northward and end up back at the double lot.