In the late 19th century, Pittsburgh was home to 17 different inclined planes. However, in the 21st century, only two remain: the Duquesne Incline and the Monongahela Incline. Today, we are going to focus on the latter.
The Monongahela Incline is the arguably lesser-known but more accessible of the two inclined planes that still carry visitors from Pittsburgh’s Southside to the crest of Mount Washington. It runs from near Station Square, a popular shopping and dining area, to the eastern end of Mount Washington.
While it’s part of Pittsburgh’s public transportation system and local residents still use it as part of their daily life, it’s also a historic and fun way for visitors to experience the city.
The History of the Monongahela Incline
The Monongahela Incline was first opened to the public on May 28, 1870 and was the first passenger funicular railway built in the United States (though others existed prior to this one to haul coal and construction supplies). It took 16 years to open the incline from the time the state government approved the project because of land disputes and the Civil War.
It was constructed to help workers in the expanding city get from their homes atop Coal Hill (now known as Mount Washington) to their jobs along the rivers in downtown Pittsburgh. At the time, there was no public transportation connecting the two areas and the steep hillsides made the roads between them especially poor.
Since it was first built, it’s been under continuous operation for over 150 years aside from being closed periodically for repairs and refurbishment, of course. It last underwent a major refurbishment in 2015.
The original steel cables used for the incline were built by John Roebling, a local man who designed the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City.
How to Get to the Monongahela Incline
There are two stations for the Monongahela Incline: one at the bottom of Mount Washington and one at the top of the hill.
The lower station is located directly across West Carson Street from Station Square. This is a popular spot with shops, restaurants, and entertainment, as well as the dock for the Gateway Clipper.
There is a large paid parking area here that can be found at the following address: 301 W Station Square Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
The lower station is also located adjacent to Station Square Station, a stop for both the city’s light rail and buses. If you take public transportation here, you can get a free transfer between the incline and the buses/light rail.
Walking from downtown across the Smithfield Street Bridge is also possible.
For those arriving from the top, there is street parking on Mount Washington, though this can be hard to find at times. Depending on the street you park on, parking may or may not cost money, so make sure to check where you park.
Buses also run along Grandview Avenue, giving you another option to get to this spot.
The upper station can be found a the following address: 5 Grandview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15211.
One popular option is to do a loop of Mount Washington, going up or down the Monongahela Incline and then utilizing the Duquesne Incline for the other way.
If you do this, keep in mind that there is about a mile walk between the two with a decent hill in between.
Riding the Monongahela Incline
There are two trains at the Monogahela Incline, one at the top and one at the bottom. They use their weight to stay in balance and move up and down the hill at the same time on side by side tracks.
Each of the historic cars can hold up to 23 passengers in the car’s three compartments. If you’ve ridden the Duquesne Incline before, you’ll note how different these cars are than the ones over there.
While you can get nice views in any spot, if you want to enjoy the skyline views, try to sit in the lowest seats. If you want to look at the uphill portion, sit in the upper car.
The skyline views at the Monongahela Incline are quite beautiful, though not quite as jaw-dropping as the views at the Duquesne Incline. However, the setting here feels more wooded and natural than at the other incline.
While most ride the incline for the views or as simple public transit, make sure to also take time to enjoy the beautiful construction of the cars. The iron and wood work here are truly incredible and really make this feel like the historic gem that it is.
The ride up the Monongahela Incline only takes a few minutes to traverse the 635 feet of track. Amazingly, it ascends at 35 degrees, making it Pittsburgh’s steepest inclined plane.
Ultimately, while I’d say the Duquesne Incline is the better of the two simply because of the views, the Monongahela Incline is still an incredible spot to visit in Pittsburgh. Plus, it’s accessibility, especially for those visiting Pittsburgh without a car, make this a great way to get to the top of Mount Washington while exploring the city.
Hours and Cost
As of mid-2026, tickets for the incline cost $2.50 for a one-way ride and $3.50 for a roundtrip. Kids 6-11 are $1.25/$2.50, and kids under 6 are free. The stations accept both cash and credit.
Of course, as stated earlier in the article, you can also get a free transfer if you take other public transit to or from the incline.
Monday to Saturday, the Monongahela Incline runs from 5:30am to 12:45am. On Sundays, it runs from 8:45am until midnight.
You can find out more on the incline’s official website.
Looking for more things to do in the area? Check out Tours of PNC Park, the Fort Pitt Museum, and the Heinz History Center.
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