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Bullock-Pens Outer Loop Trail

The Bullock-pens Park Outer Loop Trail in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a moderate 3 mile hike through the secluded Bullock-Pens Park. This trail starts at the main parking lot at the park on Beulah Rd just south of the intersection with Long Rd. The trail can be hiked in either direction, but this hike starts off at the parking lot and crosses the bridge at the parking lot to head north across Beulah Rd.

The northern section of the park is likely where the most elevation gain can be found. For the most part, this trail is flat, but the northern section is bit more hilly. The trail is mostly paved, but some of the pavement is uneven and broken up, so watch your steps.

By staying right at most trail intersections, you can easily stay along the outer loop trail. You'll also find shortcuts through the grass that cut through some of the trails' turnaround loops. On the northern side of the trail is a small creek with a few footbridges to cross it. If you have a water filter you can use this creek for a water source as the water is crystal clear.

Views: While there are no real lookout points at this park, there are plenty of areas with great views of the entire park, nearby hills, and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Parking: The main parking lot can be found at the coordinates provided; however, there's another small parking lot at the southern end of this trail where the small spur section heads to McCrady Rd.

Caution: The bridges at the park have not been updated in some time, so some of the bridge floorboards are not in the best shape. Watch your steps on the bridges.
Explore 219 trails near Pittsburgh, PA

Know Before You Go

  • The Bullock-Pens Outer Loop Trail is a 3-mile moderate hike in Pittsburgh's Bullock-Pens Park, accessible from the main parking lot on Beulah Rd.
  • The trail features a mostly paved surface with some uneven sections, a hilly northern portion, and a small creek (potential water source) with footbridges.
  • While lacking designated viewpoints, the trail offers views of the park, surrounding hills, and neighborhoods, but be cautious of the aging bridge conditions.
Interactive topographic map for Bullock-Pens Outer Loop Trail located in Pittsburgh, PA. Click the "View Map" button to load GPS coordinates and trail markers.
Get directions
Distance
3.0 mi
Difficulty
Moderate
Type
Loop
Est. Time
1.5 hrs
Elev. Gain
309'
Rating
0.0
Added
December 03, 2017
Updated
April 24, 2020

Weather Forecast

Today
High 15°F
Partly Sunny
Tonight
Low 12°F
Snow
Sunday
High 26°F
Heavy Snow
Sunday Night
Low 15°F
Heavy Snow
Monday
High 20°F
Light Snow Likely then Chance Snow Showers
Monday Night
Low 0°F
Chance Snow Showers
Tuesday
High 17°F
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Tuesday Night
Low 7°F
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Wednesday
High 18°F
Chance Snow Showers
Wednesday Night
Low 4°F
Chance Snow Showers
Thursday
High 17°F
Chance Snow Showers
Thursday Night
Low 3°F
Chance Snow Showers
Friday
High 18°F
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Friday Night
Low 2°F
Slight Chance Snow Showers
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Total Change
126'
Ascent
309'
Descent
300'
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Features

Dogs
Water Source
Biking

Points of interest

  1. Parking

    40.449663, -79.844295
  2. Main Trailhead

    40.449878, -79.844074

Safety information

For your own safety: plan ahead, let someone know where you'll be, and hike at your own risk.

Availability

All seasons

Surface type

Paved

Trip Reports (Reviews)

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3.0 miles / 4.8 km
February 17, 2021
Hiking
3.0 miles / 4.8 km
August 13, 2020
Hiking
2.3 miles / 3.7 km
March 17, 2019
Hiking
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