Many Trails, One Community

Many Trails, One Community is a collaborative effort to build and enhance a network of community hiking trails throughout Western Pennsylvania.

The program builds on the RCTC’s tradition of hikers creating partnerships to connect destinations and assets with walkable routes.

The vision is anchored by a trail circuit utilizing the North Country, the Baker, the Rachel Carson and Harmony Trails with spurs to bring nature and calm closer to more communities and create a world-class trail network and destination attraction.

In August 2021, John Stephen and RCTC Board member Thatch, along with long distance hiker Brazil Nut, shared the Rachel Carson Loop vision and the hiker-user experience of it with the North Country Trail Association. A recording of the presentation is available.

Many Trails, One Community seeks to connect hikers with nature, connect local communities to a wider audience, and connect people to something larger than themselves. The program is an active member of the Allegheny Green Web and is working in collaboration to develop spurs from the Rachel Carson Trail.

Current target areas are:

• Hartwood Acres to the Allegheny River (Indiana, O’Hara and Fox Chapel Townships) with the Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy.
• Rachel Carson to Baker Trail Connection (Harrison, South Buffalo, Allegheny Townships)
• Harmony Trail north (Pine, Bradford Woods, Marshall, Cranberry, Jackson) as part of the Commodore Perry Trail Network.

The RCTC is alert to additional opportunities and our members may be aware of even more. Whether you’re a property owner, a hiker, a steward of the outdoors, a local business, or an active family, Many Trails, One Community has a trail or a group that needs you.

For more information or to join a working group please contact the RCTC Trail Development Program manager John Stephen at john.stephen@rachelcarsontrails.org or 412-606-7149.