About
Settlers Cabin Park sits in Allegheny County just southwest of Pittsburgh. The Settlers Cabin Park Trails traverse the approximately 1,600 acres of the park, and are open daily from 8:00 am to sunset. The Allegheny County Parks Department operates SCP.
The park gets its name from a 1780 log cabin that resides on-premises. The County acquired the land comprising SCP in 1971. Prior to the acquisition, the land was the site of shallow coal mining and other mineral extraction. The County reclaimed the area back to rolling woods and open spaces. You will still notice the remanence of mineral exploration, and see some mine settling and subsidence (one example is the picture of the hole located on the Yellow Trail in the MTB Route Description pictures).
The County anticipates future development of this rugged, unexplored park as population growth increases west of Pittsburgh. Nonetheless, the Settlers Cabin Park Trails and other amenities are sure to please parkgoers for now.
Recent Improvements to the Settlers Cabin Park Trails
The Allegheny County Parks Foundation plays an active role in restoring and preserving the beauty of SCP, while also strategically developing parts of the park for the masses to enjoy. A Foundation ecological assessment of SCP found several plant species rare to Pennsylvania. Parkgoers can view some of those plants and other local flora and fauna at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, a 450-acre treasure, which is adjacent to SCP on Pinkerton Run Road.
Mine Remediation along the Settlers Cabin Park Trails
The Foundation is also currently overseeing the remediation of abandoned mine drainage that contaminated Pinkertons Run. This stream traverses the Red Trail of the Settlers Cabin Park Trails. The hope is to restore the water to support aquatic life.
Added Trails
Other completed Foundation projects include the development of the Panhandle Connector Trail and the Waterfall Trail, both a part of the Settlers Cabin Park Trails. The former is a trail that will eventually connect SCP to the Panhandle Trail spur of the Montour Trail. This connection will also link SCP to South Park and the Great Allegheny Passage. The first phase of the Panhandle Connector Trail project included reclamation of an old, rough “Jeep” road from the former SCP office to Pinkerton Run Road. The improvement links many of the trails in the network. The latter Waterfall Trail makes access to SCP’s landmark gem, the Waterfall much easier. Prior to the trail installation, many could not enjoy this beauty because of the steep, gnarly terrain. A shoutout to REI and FedEx Ground for helping make the Waterfall Trail happen.
Volunteer Work on Remainder of the Settlers Cabin Park Trails
The remainder of the trails in the network consist largely of singletrack and doubletrack. Volunteer groups such as Trail Pittsburgh install and maintain these trails, at the direction and control of the County.
Other Activities
Another attraction is the SCP Wave Pool. The County indicates that the SCP Wave Pool is the County’s most popular out of three, and includes a diving platform.
Other activities include basketball, dek hockey, and tennis. SCP also has a newly minted off-leash dog area.
Description of the Settlers Cabin Park Trails
The Settlers Cabin Park Trails provide a variety of terrain and obstacles to please beginners to the more advanced. The Red Trail is undulating, and provides an intermediate to more advanced trail bed (the “Lake Loop” section being the most technical section). The Green Trail (formerly known as the Valley Trail) takes the user down a steep and technical descent, meanders the valley floor, and then sends them back up a lung buster of a climb. Users will also encounter a tough stream crossing above the Waterfall. Parts of Yellow, all of Red/Green, and all of Red/Blue Trails are predominately flat, which will please beginners. They also provide a place to get in some recovery miles for those linking the tougher Red and Green Trails. Other parts of Yellow and all of the Red/Yellow Trail are a mix, but are substantially more approachable than the Red and Green Trails.
County Trail Blaze Project
The County is currently assigning color codes (also known as blazing) to the Settlers Cabin Park Trails. The new blazes replace the historic blazes/trail names. Thus, some of the trail blazes are subject to change as the County’s project nears completion. You will find that some of the blazes change quickly (i.e., Red/Green Trail), many of the trails have multiple spurs (i.e., the Yellow Trail and Green Trail, and the Red Trail (in combination with other color blazes) is rather incongruously dispersed throughout the trail system.
Weather Considerations
The conditions of the Settlers Cabin Park Trails are highly dependent on weather. The trails tend to hold water more than other nearby county and state parks. Many persistent muddy areas retain water and slop even in drought-like conditions. See a few pictures in the MTB Route Description. Those areas, along with others, stay wetter for longer when there is precipitation. The best areas to be when there has been recent precipitation include most of the Red Trail (minus a short stretch between Greer Road and the Lake Loop section entrance and the entire Lake Loop section itself) and the Red/Yellow Trail. The worst areas include the Lake Loop section, Green Trail, Blue Trail, the flat sections of the Yellow Trail, and the Red/Blue Trail.
The Hub’s Take on the Settlers Cabin Park Trails
The Settlers Cabin Park Trails are near and dear to my heart because of their proximity to my home, the amount I use them, and the fact that I helped maintain them up until a few years ago. No doubt other area county and state parks now have more consistently maintained and drier trails. However, SCP sees way fewer people. The trails make a nice place to ride when frozen or on the drier side. I also think the Settlers Cabin Park Trails are much better to run on than other parks because there are long sections of consistent terrain without tons of twists, turns, and punchy sections. The puddles are also not as big of a deal to jump on foot.
Settlers Cabin Park Trails MTB Route
MTB Route Turn-by-Turn Directions
The Unpaved Hub is the process of creating turn-by-turn directions with trailhead pictures and mile markers for each intersection. Please check back periodically for instructions on how you can get a copy.
Settlers Cabin Park Trail Running Route
Trail Running Route Turn-by-Turn Directions
The Unpaved Hub is the process of creating turn-by-turn directions with trailhead pictures and mile markers for each intersection. Please check back periodically for instructions on how you can get a copy.
Directions to the Settlers Cabin Park Trails
Post Activity Aprés Suggestions
Any hard run or ride must be followed by some great food and brews. Without a doubt, my favorite spot is Insurrection AleWorks. The 6-mile drive is worth it. Prior to COVID, my wife and I went to Insurrection at least once a week (hmm . . . possibly more). While it is a brewery first (with awesome beers and other PA wines and spirits), the food is bomb. Not to mention that the staff is second to none.
Another option (and always one of my top suggestions) is the small, locally-owned chain Mad Mex, which is about 1.5 miles away. Great cal-mex, and an impeccable local/craft beer list. You can also grab some mex-themed drinks if that’s your thing. A further option is Industry Public House, which is approximately 3 miles from SCP. It has an awesome craft beer and cocktail list, and the food is fairly solid. If none of those work, Settlers Ridge shopping plaza is replete with options, and you can see it from SCP.
To the extent you are looking for trail options north of Pittsburgh or for when the Settlers Cabin Park Trails are wet, check out The Hub’s North Park post.
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