OHIO RIVER TRAIL COUNCIL

"Joining communities through fitness, recreation, heritage and transportation networks."

The Ohio River Trail Council (ORTC) proposes a multi-use trail, the Ohio River Trail (ORT), along the “La Belle Riviere” or the Ohio River and its tributaries from the Columbiana Greenway Trail, near East Liverpool, OH and Chester, WV to the Beaver River Trail near Beaver Falls, Pa. and to the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) via the Montour Trail in Moon Township, Pa. and the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Whether you bicycle, walk, hike, jog, run, roller blade, fish, bird or butterfly watch cross-county ski, horseback ride, canoe, and kayak or enjoy boating, the Ohio River Trail will improve quality of life by providing fitness and recreation.  In addition, the ORT will serve as an important alternative transportation corridor between communities as well as reducing congestion and pollution.  The ORTC will ensure access to all, including persons of disability.

The ORTC mission includes the reallocation of abandoned rail corridors, trolley lines, and canal towpaths as public multi-use trails.  The ORTC will focus its efforts on showcasing historical and cultural sites along the trail.  The ORTC is committed to saving and exhibiting collections of historical artifacts of the region.  This preservation provides an enduring record of the past, celebrating our heritage and providing an experience to discover our history with the establishment of the Ohio River Trail Museum.

The ORTC endorses the revitalization of the natural beauty of the Ohio River and its surroundings, one of Western Pennsylvania’s most important natural resources.  The ORTC goal is to conserve one of the most diverse ecological ecosystems in Pennsylvania.

The Ohio River Trail is composed of twenty Western Pennsylvania Communities: There are eleven North Shore communities: Glasgow, Ohioville, Midland, Industry, Vanport, Beaver, Bridgewater, Fallston, New Brighton, Rochester, Rochester Township and there are nine South Shore communities: Monaca, Center Township, Aliquippa, Hopewell Township, South Heights, Crescent, Moon Township, Coraopolis and Montour Junction.

The Ohio River Trail communities of Western Pennsylvania understand the economic benefits of greenways.  Trails and greenways bring growth in construction and maintenance as well as tourism-related opportunities like river rafting tours, bicycle sales and rentals, restaurants and lodging.  Greenways provide a highly desirable recreation destination which also encourages new residents, like young families, to relocate to a trail community.

The ORTC is a non-profit volunteer-led corporation.  Please click on the menu links to explore our site and further enhance your understanding of the mission of the Ohio River Trail Council.  I would like to invite you to become a member and support our efforts in making the Ohio River Trail a reality.

Vincent Troia

Chief Executive Officer