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3,399 ft
Distance
35 ft
Climb
-53 ft
Descent
00:05:45
Avg time
-20 ft
Altitude change
755 ft
Altitude min
783 ft
Altitude max
783 ft
Altitude start
764 ft
Altitude end
-0.6%
Grade
-14.3%
Grade max
9.3%
Grade min
1,240 ft
Distance climb
1,637 ft
Distance down
453 ft
Distance flat
00:05:45
Avg time
Refractory Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Winter Fat Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaPittsburgh
, Pennsylvania -
Difficulty Rating
-
Voted DifficultyBlue (2 votes)
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Local Popularity45 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 50 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
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Global Ranking
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeAM, XC, Fat
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DirectionBoth DirectionsPopular Direction Shown
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Climb DifficultyGreen
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Physical RatingModerate
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Trail VisibilityAlways easy to follow
This trail is unsanctioned. As you start the baby head climb you can make a quick right. It's a nice single track that beings you all the way back to commercial avenue. It is on the other side of the creek from the 9-mile run trail and offers a nice single track alternative that seems to have low amounts of hikers. It's a bench cut into the slag heap hill and can be a little loose and slippery.
This trail is unsanctioned.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 1 rides
- 23 miles average
6 Months
- 2 rides
- 13 miles avg distance
All
- 237 rides
- Last: Jun 20, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
Refractory Trail Reports
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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
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- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
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Trail Last Ridden
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- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
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- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
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- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
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Directions to refractory trailhead
(40.419790, -79.913580)
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Nearby Trails
- Baby Head Climb 148 ft
- Nine Mile Run To Summerset Connector 220 ft
- Ihop Trail 1,726 ft
- Slag Trail 2,615 ft
- Beyond Trail 3,077 ft
- #447242 - 1,277 views
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Frequently Asked Questions About Refractory
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Where is Refractory located?
Refractory is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Pittsburgh trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 40.41979, -79.91358.
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How hard is Refractory?
Refractory is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 0.6%. The climb difficulty is rated Green.
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What is the elevation gain for Refractory?
Refractory has 35 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 53 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 755 ft to 783 ft.
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Is Refractory a point to point trail?
Refractory is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
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