Most of the trail follows gravel park paths and rights-of-way for power lines or pipelines, though some of the terrain is very rugged,[4] and there are several significant climbs[5] and bridgeless stream crossings.

Back on the Rachel Carson Trail, the hiker briefly follows PA Route 910 and uses that road to cross the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Dorseyville.

The trail then walks through the town of Springdale on local streets,[2] and passes the Rachel Carson Homestead on Marion Avenue.

[7] After exiting Springdale, the trail turns generally to the north, first through Agon Park and mostly parallel to the Allegheny River.

[3] Near Creighton, the trail again crosses the PA Route 28 expressway via a local street, and continues to the northeast and parallel to the highway for the next several miles.