StepTrek Route: Gold Route 2026

On the right, beside 86 Pius St., are the Pius St. Steps. Make right and climb 21 steps to Gregory St.

Turn left. Just after 30 Gregory are Yard Way Steps.

The influence of the church was strong in the Slopes. St. Michael parish started in a house in 1848 where the church front now stands. Designed by Charles Bartberger, who also designed St. Paul of the Cross Monastery, the church was built between 1855 and 1860 on land donated by German immigrants. The surrounding land reminded them of the Rhine River valley. Though it has a gothic spire, the overall style is Rhineland Romanesque Revival similar to rural Bavarian churches. The church was closed through a consolidation of parishes and has been redeveloped into condominiums.

Keep right and ascend the 26 steps along the former St. Michael Church to Pius St.

Ascend these 59 steps to the pedestrian bridge. Once across, climb an additional 60 steps through the trees to S. 15th St.

Turn right and continue up to S. 15th St. Pedestrian Bridge. On the left is the former Polska Szkola built in 1898. This Polish school reflected the strong Catholic and cultural identity of the Polish immigrant population in the South Side Flats, many of whom had arrived in the late 1800s seeking work in the steel industry.

Take left and walk along this shady street of mostly brick houses to S. 15th St.

Be careful as you cross S. 12th to opposite side. Take right and walk one block to Breed St.

Make right and walk to S. 12th St. What’s left of the Knoxville St. Incline can be seen in the stone blocks on the left side between 1111 Freyburg and 1117 Freyburg.

Make left and descend 49 steps to the pedestrian bridge built in 2002 over the railroad tracks. The trestle is made of the same COR-TEN steel as the U.S. Steel tower downtown and the curved canvas at the Brosville-Monastery Welcome garden. The brown rust serves as a protective coating over the steel frame. SSSNA successfully lobbied the city to rebuild this pedestrian bridge and another one over the Norfolk Southern railroad at S. 15th St. Together, they reinstated pedestrian access between the Slopes and Flats. Another SSSNA effort brought safety lighting to the two bridges. Stop mid-span and look right to view the spectacular St. Michael church on the hillside. Descend 47 steps to S. 10th and Freyburg streets. Welcome to the South Side Flats!