Secret Pittsburgh

Photo of the Spring 2017 Secret Pittsburgh class walking up St. Michael Street steps in the South Side to explore the steps in the neighborhood with umbrellas in tow. Photo by Calvin Salazar.
Photo of the Spring 2017 Secret Pittsburgh class walking up St. Michael Street steps in the South Side to explore the steps in the neighborhood with umbrellas in tow. Photo by Calvin Salazar.

South Side Steps

Lace up your walking shoes, bring a bottle of water, and get ready for a workout. These steps are as steep as they are numerous.

Pittsburgh is known around the world for its once great steel industry and its many bridges. But Pittsburgh is also known for its hilly terrain and, especially for local pedestrians, its many sets of steps scattered throughout the city. There are approximately 2500 steps in the South Side Slopes, which is more than any other neighborhood in the city. This network of steps connects those who walk them to churches, playgrounds, homes, and the history steeped within the neighborhood. Some of these steps are managed by the city and have official street names, while some are technically private, though many are accessible to anyone passing through. 

Today, you’re likely to find runners, photographers, gardeners, or in the later hours, inebriated twenty-somethings stumbling their way home after a night out. Historically, the steps were used by workers who lived in the Slopes to get to their jobs in the steel mills and glass factories located in the Flats. The diversity of that work force remains physically intact through remaining churches of various traditions that you can find throughout the Slopes. In fact, the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) has created a map so you can use the steps to visit these historic churches, as well as get a few good photo opportunities. The map can be found here. The SSSNA also hosts an annual “StepTrek” to showcase the interesting locals, history, available real estate, and beautiful views of the city the Slopes have to offer. The event is free and the trek takes approximately one hour to complete.

So many steps, so little time!

Don’t know where to start? The Church Route linked above is good for first timers. Other stairways to check out would be the Oakley Way steps, which start at 27th and Josephine St, featuring a beautiful mosaic on the first stairway and 285 steps in total, and the Eleanor St steps (282 total). Both lead to fantastic views of the city!