Trail description: The Great Allegheny Passage is a 150-mile biking and walking trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland. The GAP is complete from McKeesport to Cumberland where it links up with the C&O Canal Towpath to form a 318-mile corridor between McKeesport and Washington, DC. Work is progressing on the connection between Pittsburgh and McKeesport.
There is an climb of about 1500 feet on the 75 miles from Connellsville to the summit near the PA/MD border and a steeper decline (1700 feet over 25 miles) on the eastern side of the summit to Cumberland. See the elevation profile on the GAP website.
The Allegheny Trail Alliance coordinates the efforts of several trail groups in the building of the Great Allegheny Passage:
Steel Heritage Trail will link Pittsburgh and the Youghiogheny River Trail in McKeesport and the Montour Trail that swings through the western outskirts of Pittsburgh.
The Youghiogheny River Trail South is a 28-mile bike & hike trail along the Youghiogheny (pronounced "yaw-ki-gay-nee") River Gorge in Ohiopyle State Park.
Access fee: None required, but membership in the trail organizations help support the trail Towns along the trail: PA section: Pittsburgh, McKeesport, West Newton, Connellsville, Ohiopyle, Confluence, Rockwood, Meyersdale, Hyndman; MD section: Frostburg and Cumberland Web site:Great Allegheny Passage | C&O Canal National Historic Site Related sites:Bike C&O has trip reports and other info Trail map: Available on the GAP web site Trail surface: Most of the trail is packed gravel Designated activities: Bicycling and walking, horseback riding on sections where there is a separate treadway. 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 just north of Ohiopyle State Park. Lodging: Pittsburgh has many choices of accommodation and there are several B&Bs located in towns along the trail. The hostel in Ohiopyle State Park has recently closed but there is one in Meyersdale, and one will soon open up in Rockwood. Camping: Ohiopyle State Park has 226 sites. Several commercial campgrounds are near the trail Bike shops: Pittsburgh has lots of bike stores. Bike shops in West Newton, Connellsville, Ohiopyle, Confluence, and Rockwood (soon in Meyersdale, Frostburg, and Cumberland) offer repairs and rentals. Weather forecast:Pittsburgh | Cumberland Tourism info:Pittsburgh Tourism | Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau | Trail Towns (towns along the GAP and C&O) Getting to the trail:Amtrak's Capitol Limited provides daily rail service between Pittsburgh, Connellsville, Cumberland and Washington but currently (2009) bikes must be boxed and can only be loaded and unloaded in Pittsburgh and Washington. McKeesport, the north end of the completed section of the Great Allegheny Passage, is about 10 miles south of Pittsburgh but is difficult to navigate until the connecting trail is completed. Using a shuttle service or public transit is recommended (check the GAP website for shuttle listings). See Bicycling in Pittsburgh for getting around Pittsburgh. Map of local region:McKeesport/Cumberland region
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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