Trout Run

In 2017, an 88-acre tract of woodlands was donated to Hollow Oak by Mr. CJ Betters to establish the Trout Run Conservation Area. Originally purchased in 1954, the land was part of the Cherrington Manor residential development, but the steep terrain of the two stream valleys prevented further development. The woodlands along Trout Run are stunningly beautiful, dominated by stands of eastern hemlock trees above cliffs lining the stream valley. A second stream forms another valley down to Montour Run Road, near the former West Area YMCA.

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Trout Run is a tributary of Montour Run and one of only two “Non-Impaired” streams identified in the Montour Run watershed (the other stream is Meeks Run, located three miles away at the Montour Woods Conservation Area). A 2017 survey by Dr. Brady Porter and students from Duquesne University found 12 species of fish in Trout Run. Numerous macroinvertebrates also call the stream home, including crayfish, mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, craneflies, alderflies, dragonflies, damselflies, amphipods and isopods.

Trout Run Conservation Area is a capstone of the planned Montour Woods Greenway. The vision for this greenway includes a continuous 10-mile trail linking two conservation areas, with Moon Township Park and the Montour Trail. When complete, the greenway loop will extend up Trout Run parallel to Hookstown Grade Road to the public Moon Golf Club, crossing Beaver Grade Road to Moon Park, descending Meeks Run valley through Montour Woods Conservation Area, then following three miles of the Montour Trail.

Hookstown Trailhead

A small amount of parking is available near the trailhead off Hookstown Grade Rd about one-tenth of a mile from the intersection with Montour Run Rd. A larger parking area is at that same intersection, adjacent to the Montour Trail.

Ethan’sTrailhead

This trail can be accessed from the parking lot of The Greater Pittsburgh Sports Complex.