Few things say Pittsburgh quite like a ride up the side of Mount Washington in a wooden car pulled by a cable. The city's two surviving inclines, the Monongahela Incline and the Duquesne Incline, are working pieces of transportation history and two of the easiest ways for a visitor or a longtime resident to see the city from above. This guide covers what each incline is, how they differ, how to fit them into a day, and what to do once you reach the top of Mount Washington.
A Short History of Pittsburgh's Inclines
Pittsburgh's steep hillsides made daily life hard for the workers who lived on the bluffs above the rivers and worked in the mills and shops below. In the second half of the 1800s, inclined planes, often called funiculars elsewhere, became the practical answer. Dozens of inclines were built across the region, carrying people, and in some cases freight and even wagons, up and down the slopes.
As streetcars, automobiles and new roads spread in the twentieth century, most of those inclines closed and were dismantled. Two survived on the face of Mount Washington facing Downtown: the Monongahela Incline, which opened in 1870 and is generally cited as the oldest continuously operating funicular in the United States, and the Duquesne Incline, which opened in 1877. Both are still in daily service and both still carry passengers in cars that climb the same slope they have climbed for well over a century.
The Monongahela Incline
The Monongahela Incline, often shortened to the Mon Incline, runs from a lower station on West Carson Street near Station Square to an upper station on Grandview Avenue. It is operated by Pittsburgh Regional Transit as part of the public transit system, which means it functions as real transportation for people who live on Mount Washington, not just as an attraction. Fares and payment options follow the transit agency's rules, so check the Pittsburgh Regional Transit website before you go.
Because of its location, the Mon Incline pairs naturally with Station Square and with the T light rail, which has a station nearby. If you are coming from Downtown on foot, the Smithfield Street Bridge gets you across the Monongahela River to the lower station in a short walk.
The Duquesne Incline
The Duquesne Incline sits farther west, with its lower station along West Carson Street across the river from the Point and its upper station on Grandview Avenue in Duquesne Heights. It is owned and operated by a nonprofit preservation society that saved it from closure in the 1960s, and that history is part of the experience. The upper station includes displays about the incline and the city's history, and visitors can often look into the machinery room to see the gears and cables that move the cars. Details on the operation and its history are on the Duquesne Incline's official site.
The Duquesne Incline's lower station is a short walk from the Fort Pitt Bridge area and is convenient if you are staying on the North Side or near Point State Park in Downtown.
Which Incline Should You Ride?
If you only have time for one, choose based on where you are starting and what you want from the trip. The Mon Incline is the easier connection from Station Square and the South Side, and it drops you close to the restaurant row along Grandview Avenue. The Duquesne Incline offers the more museum-like experience with its historical displays and visible machinery, and its upper station deck frames the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, where they form the Ohio, particularly well.
Plenty of people do both. Ride one up, walk the length of Grandview Avenue along the overlooks, and ride the other down. The walk between the two upper stations is roughly a mile and is one of the best urban walks in the region, with the skyline in view the entire time.
Tips for Riding
A few practical notes make the trip smoother:
- Go at dusk. Riding up in daylight and staying to watch the skyline light up is a Pittsburgh tradition. Clear evenings draw crowds, so expect a line.
- Check operations before you go. Both inclines periodically close for maintenance and inspections. Confirm current hours and fares on the official sites rather than relying on an old listing.
- Bring a way to pay. Payment methods differ between the two inclines because one is part of the transit system and the other is run by a nonprofit.
- Parking is limited at the top. Grandview Avenue parking fills up on nice evenings. Parking near the lower stations and riding up is often easier.
- Accessibility varies. If you have mobility needs, contact the operator in advance to ask about current accessibility at each station.
What to Do at the Top
Grandview Avenue is lined with overlook platforms, benches and a handful of long-running restaurants with window views of the Golden Triangle. Grandview Park, a short walk inland, offers a different angle on the city and on the neighborhoods to the south. For a fuller rundown of the neighborhood, see our guide to the best things to do on Mount Washington, and for more lookout points around the city, see our guide to the best Pittsburgh overlooks.
Photographers tend to favor the overlooks between the two incline stations, where the stadiums on the North Shore, the Point, the bridges and the Downtown towers all fit in a single frame. The view changes dramatically with the seasons and the light, which is why many locals keep coming back.
Why the Inclines Still Matter
The inclines are more than a photo op. They are a living link to the industrial city that shaped Pittsburgh's neighborhoods, and they still solve the same problem they were built to solve: getting people up a steep hill quickly. Riding them is an inexpensive way to understand Pittsburgh's geography, which explains so much about how the city grew, from its tightly packed hillside streets to its hundreds of bridges and public stairways.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many inclines are still operating in Pittsburgh?
Two: the Monongahela Incline, which opened in 1870, and the Duquesne Incline, which opened in 1877. Both climb Mount Washington from West Carson Street to Grandview Avenue.
Who operates the Pittsburgh inclines?
The Monongahela Incline is operated by Pittsburgh Regional Transit. The Duquesne Incline is owned and operated by a nonprofit preservation society.
Can you ride both inclines in one trip?
Yes. Many visitors ride one incline up, walk along Grandview Avenue between the upper stations, and ride the other one down.
When is the best time to ride?
Sunset and early evening are the most popular times because the skyline lights up after dark. Weekday daytime rides are usually less crowded.
How much does it cost to ride?
Fares change over time and differ between the two inclines. Check the Pittsburgh Regional Transit website and the Duquesne Incline website for current fares and payment options.