Laurel, a region in southwestern Pennsylvania, is characterized by its diverse landscapes, including mountain ridges, rivers, and extensive forests. The area spans across Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties, offering varied terrain suitable for outdoor pursuits. Its natural features, such as the Allegheny Plateau ridges and the Youghiogheny River, provide a setting for several sports like hiking, jogging, mountain biking, road cycling, and more. This geography makes Laurel a destination for those seeking active experiences in nature.
49
Routes
4.8
(5)
Average rating
350
People visited

8
hikers
4.37km
01:07
10m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
hikers
2.84km
00:45
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
hikers
3.81km
00:58
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
hikers
2.53km
00:38
0m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1
runners
4.77km
00:30
20m
20m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.27km
00:29
10m
10m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
runners
1.05km
00:06
0m
0m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

17
runners
5.27km
00:33
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.72km
00:18
10m
10m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

9.54km
00:38
30m
30m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

17
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5
riders
13.0km
00:57
80m
80m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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5.0
(1)
47
riders
54.8km
03:27
370m
370m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
7
riders
53.3km
03:04
200m
200m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
3
riders
20.5km
01:13
110m
110m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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25
riders
69.4km
02:49
360m
360m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

20
riders
38.8km
01:42
150m
150m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

10
riders
47.8km
02:15
290m
290m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
9
riders
94.3km
03:51
500m
500m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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The Laurel region offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, jogging, mountain biking, road cycling, touring cycling, and gravel biking. The area features extensive trail networks and diverse terrain suitable for various skill levels. More than 2,000 visitors have shared experiences, with routes averaging 4.39 out of 5 stars.
The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a prominent option, stretching over 70 miles (113 km) with sections for both experienced hikers and casual walkers. Ohiopyle State Park also provides numerous hiking opportunities. For more specific options, explore the Hiking around Laurel guide.
Yes, the Laurel region includes trails suitable for beginners and those seeking less strenuous options. The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail has more level areas for casual walkers. A dedicated guide for Easy hikes around Laurel is available.
Ohiopyle State Park is a popular location for mountain biking, featuring challenging trails like McCune Trail and Sugarloaf Run Trail, as well as intermediate loops such as Canyon's Edge. Forbes State Forest and the Laurel Mountain trail network also offer challenging routes. Consult the MTB Trails around Laurel guide for more details.
The Laurel region provides numerous road cycling routes, including loops around Powdermill Nature Reserve and routes near Laurel Mountain. These routes feature varying elevations and scenic views. The Road Cycling Routes around Laurel guide offers specific options.
Yes, the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) is a notable rail-to-trail, with 76 miles (122 km) weaving through the Laurel Highlands. Other rail-to-trails include the Coal and Coke Trail, Sheepskin Trail, Westmoreland Heritage Trail, Five Star Trail, and Indian Creek Valley Trail. These trails are generally level and suitable for various cycling activities.
The region features Mount Davis, Pennsylvania's highest point at 3,213 feet (979 m), and the Youghiogheny River Gorge with Ohiopyle Falls. Other notable features include Spruce Flats Bog in Laurel Summit State Park and the deep water-formed Blue Hole in Forbes State Forest. Laurel Caverns is also present, boasting over 4 miles (6 km) of passages.
The Laurel region offers diverse terrain, including gentle rail trails suitable for families and casual riders. Many parks and natural areas provide accessible paths for various activities. The region's natural beauty and varied trail options cater to different age groups and activity levels.
Mount Davis is the highest point in the Laurel Highlands and in Pennsylvania. It reaches an elevation of 3,213 feet (979 m). This high elevation contributes to a distinct environment within the region.
Komoot offers several guides for the Laurel region, covering various sports. These include Hiking around Laurel, MTB Trails around Laurel, and Road Cycling Routes around Laurel. Additional guides are available for jogging, touring cycling, and gravel biking.
The Laurel region is home to several unique geological formations. Spruce Flats Bog, located in Laurel Summit State Park, is a high-elevation bog sustaining unusual plant life. Laurel Caverns is the state's largest cave by volume and area, with over 4 miles (6 km) of passages. Blue Hole in Forbes State Forest is a deep, water-formed hole in a stream.
The Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau can be contacted by phone at (724) 238-5661. Additional information about the region is available on their official tourism website, GoLaurelHighlands.com.

