Take left and keep left to ascend 41 steps to Cobden St.
StepTrek Route: Black Route 2024
Black/East Route 2024
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Berg St.
Make right and walk to Cologne St. Steps.
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Clover St. Steps
Take left and descend 49 steps to Salisbury St. Cross Salisbury and continue up last 4 steps to Berg St.
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Eccles St.
Take right. Descend along sidewalk to Eleanor St. Cross and continue along Eccles to Clover St. Steps
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Sterling St.
Make left and descend to Eccles St.
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* Fort Laughlin, aka Fort McKinley or Fort Ormsby
This area once contained a circular redoubt located on “Ormsby’s Hill,” bounded by Fernleaf, Salisbury, Sterling, and Fort Hill Streets. It was one of two forts built in Arlington-Arlington Heights during the Civil War as a defense against the Confederate raider Morgan, who, it was feared, would come up the Monongahela from West Virginia. The first, Fort McKinley, was made of mud and its breastworks stood until 1925. Its grounds were purchased for a playground in 1914.
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* Arlington Ballfield & Spray Park
For all its steepness, there are play and ball fields throughout the Slopes. This ballfield regularly hosts baseball and softball games under the lights which can be seen from the South Side Flats and Oakland. Take in views of downtown’s tallest buildings and Oakland’s medical complex. The Spray Park opened in 2018. Replacing a deteriorated city pool, the spray functions are many and varied. A children’s playground, rebuilt in 2021, completes the park.
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Fort Hill Steps
Turn left and ascend 49 steps to Arlington Ballfield & Spray Park. Give yourself a pat on the back! You’ve reached the highest point on this route.
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Fernleaf St.
Cross Fernleaf and make a right. Continue walking to Fort Hill St. and Steps.
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Eccles St.
Make left and continue to Fernleaf St. At this corner, on the right, is former Engine House #22 which was established in 1894. From its roof tower, the view covered several surrounding neighborhoods and provided an ideal lookout for smoke and fires.