White Oak, PA

White Oak Park is one of the nine beautiful Allegheny County parks. This 810-acre is a haven for hikers, bikers, and nature-lovers alike! It has over 8 miles of trail including densely wooded sections with low foot traffic. It’s a great spot for spring wildflowers and has space for a variety of activities, including bocce, a dog park, and athletic fields. After a peaceful loop through the trails, enjoy a brew and a bite at Wye Beer Co. in Trafford, PA. Located right on the Westmoreland Heritage Trail, this brewery is about as outdoors-friendly as you can get!

THE HIKE: White Oak Park Loop

Length: 3.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 321 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1.5 hours
Trail use: Leashed dogs, Bike friendly
Parking: large lot at entrance off McClintock Road

White Oak is a regional park managed by Allegheny County that spans over 800 acres. Here you’ll find plenty of space for recreation, including ball fields, pavilions, a dog park and more. There are many miles of trail included a paved walking path. But where White Oak truly shines is in its deeply wooded hiking trails. These trails, although not terribly well marked at times, wind through huge groves of trees that feel like one is miles away from civilization. Until the trail pops out by a pavilion or bathroom!

White Oak Park is a bit of a drive from most areas of town, but I highly recommend a visit. J and I were pleasantly surprised to have the trails to ourselves on a sunny fall day and really enjoyed an easy loop through the western portion of the park on the Green Trail.

Begin your hike at the parking lot for the Wedding Pavilion. It’s not quite marked well on Google Maps so you can use the link above! Pick up the Green Trail behind the small pavilion and down the hill. You’ll see the green blazes begin right at the tree line. Immediately, you’ll be surrounded by towering trees and any road sounds fade away. Follow the trail for about 0.5 miles, then it will lead close to a pavilion and bathroom. The rest of the hike meanders through thick trees and then veers close the walking path and pavilions. I’d definitely recommend following a route on an app as sometimes the trail junctions aren’t marked or very clear. At the very end, the trail goes sharply uphill where the path is a bit uncertain. You should come out near the dog park. We then followed the road back to the Wedding Pavilion to finish out the hike.

If you have time, I also highly recommend visiting the meadow area behind the park office. We just happened to visit during peak goldenrod season and it was just so beautiful to see the bees buzzing around the golden spires. There are a number of other trails you can pick up from this area including the Yellow Trail, a 1.5 mile loop.

Overall, although the trails are not well marked and online maps difficult to come by, I highly recommend a visit to White Oak Park. It’s the perfect place to explore and feels off the beaten path. We will definitely be back!

THE BEER: Wye Beer Co.

Address: 3 Forbes Rd, Trafford, PA 15085
Distance from Trail Head: 6.7 miles, 14 mins 
Website: http://www.wyebeer.com/
Food?: Full Kitchen
Details: Outdoor seating, family friendly, Pet friendly

Tucked into a small business plaza in Trafford is Wye Beer Co. As you pull into the parking lot, you’re likely to see a few bikes pulling up to the brewery as well! Wye Beer is conveniently located right on the Westmoreland Heritage Trail, so it’s become a popular spot for bikers and beer lovers alike. Walking inside, the brewery is quite spacious, with a large bar and plenty of tables. Arcade games line the walls adding to the space’s fun flair. After ordering a pint, you can also sit outside in the beer garden, complete with a ski lift swing (yes, this was my spot of choice!). If you’re feeling a bit peckish, the menu of shareables and flatbreads is sure to hit the spot. We particularly enjoyed the giant Bavarian pretzel! Now Wye doesn’t limit itself to particular styles, so there’s always a wide variety of options on tap. It’s really important to the owners that they have a beer style for everyone!

Wye Beer is still relatively new to the brew scene having opened in early 2024 by three brothers from Irwin. But they’re no strangers to the restaurant and bar life; the family has owned several other ventures, including the popular Ginny’s Pizza. The brewery’s name pays homage to Blackburn-Wye rail line that used to run through the area. A “wye” is a railroad term for a track junction that forms the letter “Y”. I love when we get a history lesson at a brewery!

Also, I highly recommend a stop at the Parkside creamery for a tasty treat to wrap up your day! The pumpkin pie ice cream really hit the spot!

Our Beer:

• Downtown Mindy Brown – American Brown Ale – 5.7%
• Pumpky Brewster – Pumpkin Beer – 6.8%
• On Point – Pale Ale – 5.6% (Collab with Yough River Brewing)

Looking for other Hikes & Hops in this area? Check out Dead Man’s Hollow & Fire Whistle Brewing or Duff Park & Devout Brewing.

Check out other Allegheny County Parks! Settler’s Cabin, North Park, and South Park