Bear Run is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River, and the woods surrounding it are owned and managed as a natural area by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. It is a pretty expansive property, with a number of hiking trails (see map) and Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Fallingwater home, which is built over Bear Run.The hiking trails are very well taken care of and very well marked. Most of my wanderings have been on the Arbutus Trail, which is easily accessible from the main parking lot at the nature reserve. It is very scenic, and runs through a lot of rhododendron (early June) and mountain laurel (mid to late June) thickets, as well as crossing over Bear Run a number of times. To get to Bear Run from Pittsburgh, hop on the turnpike east to the Donegal exit and follow the signs to the state parks and Fallingwater. The main lot is on your left as you go south on Rt. 381 towards Ohiopyle, and Fallingwater is on your right.
