As you wander through the landscape of Pittsburgh, steps become delightful friends and mortal enemies. Pittsburgh’s near vertical landscape is not for the faint of heart, as it requires you to travel by vehicle and by foot to reach the best views. But don’t worry, the sights make the trip worth it.

Pittsburgh hilly terrain lends itself well to the adventures, but also make public city steps a requirement. Several streets completely replace sidewalks with steps and railings. Step hunting is a surprisingly fun time, particularly for those who are able to scale the steps themselves. Although you can’t throw a rock in Pittsburgh without having it fall down some steps, the ones on Canton Avenue and Ray Avenue in the neighborhood of Beechview are particularly impressive. The two sites are not very close to each other, so it would be best to have a car (particularly one that could handle some of the steeper roads), or plan to stay in one area and focus on the steps in that neighborhood.

The City of Pittsburgh focuses its effort on maintaining 712 sets of steps, although there are plenty more to find, with some walking. For those looking for a more tangible guide, check out the book The Steps of Pittsburgh—Portrait of a City by Bob Regan. Regan’s book even offers specific walking tours of the various steps.

Ray Avenue is the place to go if you’re looking for a nice long walk. After 378 steps, it is just a little longer than Rising Main Steps, located in Fineview. Canton Ave, as shown below is among the steepest steps in the country, with a 37% grade.

I would like to take a few minutes to show you just some of the steps that make Pittsburgh such a unique place to visit.

 

In Beechview, Canton Ave.

 

Ray Ave, in Beechview.

 

Kerr St. in the neighborhood of Elliott.

 

In Fineview, this is Rising Main... This would KILL me...

 

Also in Fineview, This is Toboggan St.

 

Southside, 18th & Mission...

 

Southside, 18th St.

 

Spring Garden, Arcola Way.

 

Planet St., In the West End.