Pittsburgh area trails for training

From Ron Edwards: 

Laurel Highland Trail
First 8 miles starting at Ohiopyle – steepest/hilliest section. Also the last section of trail (near the 70 mi end) is hilly. Close enough that you can go early in the morning and still have a good chunk of the day left. Comments: excellent training on steep trail.

Rachel Carson Trail
Trail with variety of terrain: single-track, double, wide right of ways and power line cuts, and road. The first 12 miles from North Park are fairly easy.

The hilliest section is called the “Roller Coaster”. It starts in Springdale (at about the 1/2 way point) and goes North toward North Park to about the 12.5 mile mark. There are also plenty of hills as you leave Cheswick and head NE on the trail. In general between miles 12.5 and 26 are the most challenging.

This trail is probably second best training option after the beginning and end sections of the Laurel Highlands Trail.