Trail description: The Allegheny Trail Alliance coordinates the efforts of several trail groups in the building of a 150-mile biking and walking trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland. An additional 52-mile spur trail will curve around Pittsburgh to Groveton. The trail will link up with the C&O Canal Towpath to form a 400-mile corridor between Pittsburgh and Washington, DC. Well over half of the 202-mile Pennsylvania section of the rail trail is completed in various sections. Components of the trail are:
The Three Rivers Heritage Trail will be a 6-mile trail along the banks of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers near Pittsburgh.
Steel Heritage Trail will run 17 miles from Sandcastle Park to Clairton.
Montour Trail is a multi-use recreational rail-trail that will eventually skirt Pittburgh for 52 miles from McKeesport to Groveton. Most of the trail has been completed with a gravel surface.
The Youghiogheny River Trail North will be a 28-mile section connecting McKeesport and Connellsville
The Youghiogheny River Trail South is an existing 28-mile bike & hike trail along the Youghiogheny (pronounced "yaw-ki-gay-nee") River Gorge in Ohiopyle State Park.
Allegheny Highlands Trail will be the final 63-mile link to Cumberland, MD and the C&O Canal Pathway.
Access fee: None Towns along the trail: Pittsburgh, Connellsville, Ohiopyle, Rockwood, Meyersdale, Hyndman Web site:Allegheny Trail Alliance | The Three Rivers Heritage Trail | Steel Heritage Trail | Montour Trail | Youghiogheny River Trail North | Ohiopyle State Park | C&O Canal National Historic Site Trail map: Available on the ATA web site Trail surface: Gravel Designated activities: Bicycling, walking Facilities on the trail: Available at several towns along the trail Points of interest: Ohiopyle State Park encompasses a 14-mile long gorge that is up to 1,700 feet deep. Fallingwater, Frank Llyod Wright's architectural masterpiece, is near Ohiopyle State Park Lodging: Pittsburgh has many choices of accommodation. A hostel is located in Ohiopyle State Park. Camping: Ohiopyle State Park has 226 sites, several commercial campgrounds are near the trail Bike shops: Pittsburgh has lots of bike stores. Rentals are available at Ohiopyle State Park. Weather forecast:Pittsburgh Tourism info:Pittsburgh Tourism | Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau Getting to the trail:Amtrak provides daily rail service between Pittsburgh, Connellsville, Cumberland and Washington. Map of local region:Pittsburgh | Connellsville | Ohiopyle | Rockwood | Meyersdale | Hyndman
Trail name: Allegheny Trail Times biking the trail: Several Date of last visit: August, 2003 Sections that I biked: I have biked the southern sections many times but have biked the entire length from Pittsburgh to Meyersdale, overland to Cumberland, and then to D.C in August, 2003. My favourite sections of the trail: The further one gets from Pittsburgh the more scenic it becomes. The prettiest sections are along the white water of the Youghiogheny and Castleman Rivers. The trestles at Ohiopyle are easiest to get to but don't discount the Pinkerton or Salisbury trestles. Best time to go: Early fall; Summer Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: Unparalleled scenery What I disliked: Pittsburgh Comments: Pittsburgh to McKeesport is not yet well marked and involves traveling on some very dangerous highways. Submitted by: Barry L Sherry from: Woodbridge, Va. Date submitted: Nov 29, 2004
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Trail name: Allegheny Trail Times biking the trail: Few Date of last visit: May, 2004 Sections that I biked: Meyersdale - Ohiopyle My favourite sections of the trail: Meyersdale - Confluence Best time to go: Spring/summer/fall Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: scenery, trail surface (limestone sand - keeps away the faint of heart). That constant downgrade form Meyerdale to Confluence. What I disliked: Nothing, really. Comments: Very nice ride, good for multi day tours. This would be good hot weather trail, you are in the 'green tunnel' most of the time. Excellent views of rivers, side creeks and mini-gorges. Last biked on Memorial Day 2004, it had been very wet but trail was in fine shape. Came across one newly downed tree near Harnedsville. We will be going back in June for 3 day camping trip. Submitted by: K Finn from: Columbus OH Date submitted: June 9, 2004
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Trail name: Allegheny Trail Times biking the trail: Weekly Date of last visit: Sept, 2003 Sections that I biked: Industry to the big savage tunnel. My favourite sections of the trail: The entire trail is senic, but the nicest part is from connelsville to ohiopyle. Windmills at rockwood are interesting, Salisbury viaduct is an incredible bridge, near meyersdale. Best time to go: fall, peak foalige time. Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: Scenery, layout, safety, its a great trail. Services always within 10 miles. What I disliked: The only improvement would be to pave the trail. But this would be a HUGE expense. Comments: Only real hazzards I can see would be the extremley rare falling rock, some areas of trail are along a rock face. Many points of intrest on trail, High bridges, old Overholt distilrey, old railroad buildings, coke ovens, and in spring of 2004 the big savage tunnell opens. Submitted by: Scott Raygor from: Youngwood Pa. Date submitted: Nov 15, 2003
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