StepTrek Route: Goldroute 2021

Take left and climb 5 steps. Keep left and continue past Wachter St. with its view of St. Michael Cemetery on the hill to the left. At next street, make left onto Rugraff St.

Make right and climb 44 steps and turn right at landing. Follow the red railing and drop two steps. Make a left and climb sidewalk that leads to St. Thomas St. Continue up 4 steps in sidewalk to Angelo St.

Take a right and walk up S. 18th to St. Thomas St. Steps. Quarry St. is on the left, across from entrance to the steps.

From the top of Monastery St., make a right and descend along right side of Monastery Ave. to S. 18th St.

Known as the barefoot missionaries, the Passionists vowed to live a life of prayer, poverty, penance and solitude. The first bishop of Pittsburgh invited the Italian order over in 1852. Designed by the architect Charles Bartberger, who also designed St. Michael Church, the church was completed in 1859 in the midst of an 11 acre compound chosen for its serenity, natural beauty and seclusion. The architectural style is Romanesque. The interior rose window is a copy of one in Reims, Germany. The newly renovated chapel is exquisite and opens daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please step inside for quiet observation. On exiting the chapel, take in the stunning view of downtown.

Cross street and make left to ascend 15 steps on the right side. These steps and sidewalk were rebuilt a few years ago as part of a project to replace a larger set of steps that ran the length of Monastery. At the top lies the historical St. Paul of the Cross Monastery.

You are now following part of the Church Route. The Church Route is a walking tour that goes up and down our unique stairways providing beautiful views of the city, and featuring glimpses of the eccentric hillside architecture and historic churches. For 10 years this route was a part of the SSSNA’s annual StepTrek but the association decided to formalize the route into a permanently signed walk instead. Funding for the signage was provided by the SSSNA in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, who manufactured and installed the wayfinding signs.

Make right and climb 5 steps on the way to Monastery St.

Be careful as you cross Brosville to Hackstown St. Directly ahead are St. Joseph Way Steps. Ascend the 76 steps to St. Joseph Way. Note that the first few houses have access via the steps only. Ascend the 76 steps to St. Joseph Way. Note that the first few houses have access via the steps only.

Terraced into the hillside on the right is a quiet green space. The fabricated canvas of COR-TEN steel plate was created by former SSSNA board member and architect Peter Kreuthmeier and installed against a curved retaining wall. The scrim replicates a section of a Slopes neighborhood from a lot and block map. An Elm Street project funded by the state, it was dedicated in 2007 and is one of six gardens maintained by SSSNA members. The installation has garnered both state and local awards.