Guide to Cycling the Great Allegheny Passage
Ride one of the East’s best rails-to-trails gravel pathways
Updated Sept 1st, 2024
Distance: 150 miles
Days: 2-4
Elevation gain/loss: +1800 ft / -2300 ft from Cumberland, Maryland to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Best season: May to October
Permits: None necessary
Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate
Trail surface: Gravel
One hundred fifty miles of gravel rail trail, the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP Trail) is one of the East’s best ‘rails to trails’ pathways. The old railroad grades follow beautiful waterways, weaving around the Allegheny mountains and hills. It’s near perfection for leisurely bicycling with awesome views.
Most of this bike trail passes through rural forest and has a more remote feeling than the nearby C&O Canal Towpath route along the relatively flat Potomac River. The GAP certainly weaves in and out of more mountainous terrain than the C&O Trail, yet remains mellow. Traditionally starting in Cumberland, Maryland, the long-but-gently-graded climb to the Eastern Continental Divide leads to over one hundred miles of practically flat riding all the way to Pittsburgh.
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Point State Park in Pittsburgh, PA on the GAP Trail. Photo by Brandon Lampley
Great Allegheny Passage (or GAP Trail) Quick Facts
Completed in 2013, the 150-mile long Great Allegheny Passage Trail makes a Washington, D.C. to Pittsburgh ride on dedicated hike-and-bike trails possible.
The GAP trail follows old railroad beds: the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O), Pittsburgh and Lake Erie (P&LE), Union (URR), and Western Maryland (WM) railroads.
Public and private campgrounds are easily accessible by side trails, as are hotels, B&B’s, and Air BnBs.
One hundred fifty miles of gravel path with minimal road crossings!
Gentle grade makes it accessible to all skill levels.
Highlights
Mile after mile of smooth gravel in the forest.
Convenient picnic areas with bike maintenance tools along the path.
Casselman River views from the bridge just outside of Markleton, PA.
Sightseeing along the Youghiogheny River Trail and Gorge at Ohiopyle, PA.
Rustic shelter camping at the Cedar Creek Trekker Campground along the Youghiogheny River.
Finish in the beautiful Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh.
Challenges
Wish it were longer! Next time I'll “yoyo” and ride from Cumberland to Pittsburgh back to Cumberland!
A few muddy sections after rainstorms. Be ready to clean and lube your chain.
Mosquitoes and other bugs during early summer. Take repellent and perhaps a citronella candle for camp.
Weekends can be busy, but bike traffic is usually confined to a few miles adjacent to trailhead access points.
Best Season
Early September through early October is probably the best season, but any time from May until October is prime time.
The leafy deciduous forests are in their fresh and brilliant green splendor in late spring and early summer. Mid- to late summer is the most popular time for this ride, as nights are warm and the pathway is mostly shaded, mitigating the midday heat. Most folks will find July and August daytime temperatures pleasant.
If you’re trying to avoid mosquitoes or hot weather and want to enjoy the leaves changing in fall, October is great — though nights can be quite chilly, and you should be prepared for at least some frost. With a bit of advance planning, your nights can be spent around a cozy campfire at the awesome trailside camping areas.
Difficulty and Skills
For the most part, we consider the Great Allegheny Passage a beginner-level bicycle tour. Still, the long-but-shallow climb from Cumberland to the Eastern Continental Divide is challenging-more challenging than any on the C&O Canal Towpath, for example, which follows the Potomac River. If you are new to riding a loaded bike, get some practice on pavement before tackling the gravel trail.
The camping opportunities on the GAP are more spread out than along the C&O. Folks cycling light can choose a hotel or B&B each night if desired.
If time allows, we suggest riders new to touring and camping start from Washington DC on the C&O (or even start at Harpers Ferry along the C&O). After three or four nights of camping, get a shower and relax at the 9 Decatur Guest House in Cumberland before continuing on the GAP.
Navigation
Following the GAP is straightforward. As a dedicated hike and bike path, road crossings are minimal, and signage and mile markers are good. GAPTrail.org provides an interactive map with all the camping, lodging, food service, mileage and navigation information you could ever want. Mobile phone reception is good along most of the trail.
Terrain
Rail trails are awesome, providing nearly flat riding through terrain that is otherwise quite rugged. The majority of this old railroad grade trail is packed, crushed gravel—an excellent riding trail surface. The route follows the Casselman, Youghiogheny, and Monongahela Rivers for much of its length, but also snakes around mountains and valleys through the Laurel Highlands. A few tunnels take the rail trail through, rather than over, ridges and mountains.
Elevation Gain/Elevation Loss
The long climb from Cumberland up to the Eastern Continental Divide provides the only noticeable elevation gain along the route. The 1800-foot gain happens slowly over 23 miles, at about a 1.5% grade. Traveling from Pittsburgh, the gain is about 2,300 ft, spread over more than a hundred miles. Cyclists often call these grades “false flats,” as you barely notice them unless you’re racing. Read about training for a century ride here.
Recommended Type of Bicycle
Just about any bicycle will work. This author rode a gravel bike set up as a light touring rig with rear panniers. A bikepacking bike with bikepacking bags, frame bag, and handlebar bags are also a good choice. We even saw a couple of folks on beach cruiser bikes with cargo racks, who set out on a leisurely B&B tour. It's heavier duty than this trail requires, but a mountain biking rig could work, too. That said: we don't recommend a road bike with skinny tires.
Whatever bike you ride, make sure it's in good repair and well-maintained before you depart. If it's been a while since your last professional tune-up, it's worth considering a stop at your local bike shop to make sure your ride can go the distance. And always carry the basic tools and a bike pump necessary to fix a flat, and lube your drivetrain if necessary after a muddy section.
Permits
No permits are necessary to ride or camp along the Great Allegheny Passage-though if you want to camp at the Kentuck Campground in Ohiopyle State Park in Western Pennsylvania, an advance reservation is highly recommended to ensure availability.
The first views of the terminus in Pittsburgh from the GAP Trail. Photo by Brandon Lampley.
Route Summary
Traditionally beginning in Cumberland, Maryland, the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage passes through or near the trail town of Frostburg, Maryland; and then into Pennsylvania through or near the trail towns of Meyersdale, Rockwood, Confluence, Ohiopyle, Connellsville, West Newton, Boston, McKeesport, and Homestead in Pennsylvania; before finishing at Point State Park in Pittsburgh. Northbound travel is popular, as you can use the GAP to extend a ride along the C&O Canal Towpath, which starts in Washington, D.C..
Folks also go southbound, starting their ride in Pittsburgh. Heading this direction, you finish with 20+ miles of slight downhill into Cumberland. D.C.-area residents might want to take a shuttle or train to Pittsburgh and then ride homewards. While slight, the trip from Pittsburgh to D.C. is net downhill.
Regulations
Follow Leave No Trace Ethics at all times. Carry your trash to the next receptacle. Be tidy and clean when camping.
Practice good trail etiquette. Observe a reasonable speed limit, and yield to pedestrians and other trail users.
If nature calls while toilet facilities aren't available, bury your waste, and pack out your TP to a trash receptacle.
View from inside one of the many shelters on the GAP Trail. Photo by Brandon Lampley.
MAPS AND GUIDEBOOKS
GAIA
The Gaia GPS smartphone app is one of our favorite apps for adventurers of all types. Gaia provides a variety of topographic and recreational maps, and it’s usable whether or not your phone has a signal. Download the Great Allegheny Passage route to your phone before hitting the trail. It's indispensable for finding your way to and from the trail if you’re planning a side trips into a trail town or seeking indoor accommodations. Be sure to preload the basemaps for offline version in Gaia before you leave home.
Maps
GAPTrail.org has made maps easy. You can download and print free PDF maps for personal use here.
Guidebooks
While it is currently sold out, the print Trail Guide from the Allegheny Trail Alliance covers both the C&O and GAP trails.
Other Apps
The GAP Trail app from the Allegheny Trail Alliance could be useful, but apparently it hasn't been updated in several years. It's worth checking out; perhaps an updated version is forthcoming.
The C&O Explorer Mobile app is an up-to-date and useful tool for those adding the Canal Towpath to their trip.
Ride With GPS is one of our favorite biking apps.
Getting To the Great Allegheny Passage
By Plane
Pittsburgh is probably your best choice, whether you’re starting from Pittsburgh or from Cumberland. Amtrak or several shuttle services will get you and your ride to Cumberland if you plan to start there. If you’re connecting the GAP and the C&O Canal Towpath, and want to fly into the D.C. area, Washington Reagan is best-you can actually bike on designated paths from the airport to the start of the rail trail.
By Car
Many cyclists drive to the trail. We recommend booking accommodation at your end point that has secure, longer-term parking for your vehicle. From there, get yourself and your bike to your intended start, and ride back to your car.
Train and Shuttle Services
Amtrak trains service both Pittsburgh and Cumberland, and continue on to D.C.. While bike spaces are limited, Amtrak does have roll-aboard bicycle service along this route! Plan ahead with tickets, as the roll-aboard bicycle spaces often sell out.
If your desired dates are sold out, numerous local shuttle services can transport you and your bike to and from the path. Check the GAP website for more information on shuttles and pricing.
Trailheads
The traditional starting and ending points are in Cumberland, Maryland and downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For shorter rides, most of the towns along the way have convenient access points to the GAP. Many folks also enjoy a day of cycling on the trail from the Ohiopyle State Park access point.
Resupply
One of the great aspects of cycling the Great Allegheny Passage is that feeding yourself is easy. Some folks will set out with all the food they need for a three-day camping trip. You could also carry snacks and eat in restaurants in the small towns, or simply enjoy food (and a bed!) in accommodations along the way.
This author prefers a hybrid style: I carried most of what I needed for breakfast and dinner, grabbed lunches at delis or diners, and packed out a few veggies or other fresh food for dinner prepared in camp.
Trail-side gear repair station at a picnic shelter on the GAP Trail. Photo by Brandon Lampley.
Bike Mechanic and Bike Shop Availability
Always start your ride with a bike in good repair, a set of basic tools, and the supplies to fix a flat. Many towns along the way have a bike shop for an extra tube or unexpected repairs. Check GAPTrail.org to see which towns have what amenities.
Flats happen. At a minimum, everyone should travel with the tools and supplies needed to fix a flat tire. See our bicycle touring on a budget article for our recommended basic tool kit.
Several bike shops along the way are convenient stops for supplies, or to have a derailleur or brakes adjusted if the need arises. As always, start the trip with a well-adjusted and maintained bike, and you’ll have more fun. We’d also recommend taking a class on basic maintenance and bike repair before you head off.
Water Planning
We recommend riders carry at least two bottles, as sources are spread out along the GAP. We mostly refilled at small stores just off the trail, or at our campsite for the night. If you’re connecting the C&O, you’re in luck: water along the C&O is available every five miles or so at campsites. If you wanted to carry a small water filter, check out our story on Best Water Filters and Purifiers.
Food Storage
Bears are of very minimal concern along the Great Allegheny Passage, and there are no requirements for a bear canister or other bear-proof food storage.
That said: as in many forested spots along the east coast, mice, squirrels, and raccoons are a threat to your food when camping. We recommend a food storage bag, like the OPsak. Keep a clean camp, contain the smells from your trash and food, and you shouldn't have any issues.
Side Trips
Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiopyle State Park, along the path in Pennsylvania, is a great place to spend an extra day hiking, cycling, or even fly fishing. This is the best place to meet non-biker friends along the GAP.
Kentuck Campground
Consider booking two nights at the Kentuck Campground for a mini-vacation from your ride. An advance reservation is highly recommended for this campground.
Variations
Adding the C&O Canal Towpath to the GAP is a popular option. This makes for a week-long bike tour at a leisurely pace for most. Read my guide to the C&O Canal Towpath for more information.
Making your trip on the GAP an out-and-back doubles the mileage and the fun, and conveniently returns you to your car if you drive to the start, or to the airport if you want to purchase a round-trip plane ticket.
Guided Tours
Many large organizations and local outfitters provide guided trips along the GAP Trail and C&O Canal Towpath. For those travelling from afar, bicycle and equipment rentals are detailed in the next section.
The 9 Decatur Hostel in Cumberland is a highlight stop for many cyclists. Photo by Brandon Lampley.
Favorite Restaurant and Hostel
Pittsburgh is a big, vibrant city these days, with distinct neighborhoods that have different flavors and feels. From the trail’s end at Point State Park, we continued our ride about four miles to the Lawrenceville neighborhood largely for a visit to Candado Tacos! There’s also another Candado in downtown.
An AirBnB in the town of Lawrenceville would also be a great end to a trip. The Allegheny Cemetery and its parklands are close by for history buffs wanting to see the sights.
On the other end of the Great Allegheny Passage, the 9 Decatur Guest House & Hostel is the perfect spot to end (or begin!) a trip in the town of Cumberland. Plus, it’s a convenient place to shower and rest before continuing on the C&O!
Gear and Bike Rental Options
Numerous outfitters rent bikes for the Great Allegheny Passage (and the C&O!), and several provide full service tours. If you're coming from afar via plane, it’s possible to rent a bike at the start of the path and return it at your endpoint. Brilliant!
The Wheelzup Adventures is one such service with a good reputation. They provide both shuttle options, and bike rentals for both the GAP and C&O.
Gear layout at a trail side shelter on the Great Allegheny Passage. Photo by Brandon Lampley.
Gear List
Need a detailed overview of this author’s recommendation for self-supported bike touring on a budget? We’ve got you covered. Here’s our complete Bike Touring Packing List.
BICYCLE
I rode the now discontinued Surly Cross Check, which is like an older brother to a winner in our Best Touring Bikes story. You’ll see folks out here riding gravel bikes and fat tire bikes, too. Check out our Best Bikepacking Bikes guide for our recommendations. If traveling from afar, there’s always rental options available, too.
TENT
I used a pyramid tarp on this trip, very similar to the Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 recommended as a best single wall 4-season winner in our Best 4-Season Tent guide (but you’ll be just fine with a 3-season summer tent). I like the roominess, and can have my bike and luggage inside as well. Most folks will find their backpacking tent works just fine, such as something featured in our Best Backpacking Tents guide (or for something lighter, see our Best Ultralight Tents guide).
That being said, if you need a new tent, the bikepacking-specific model of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV 2 is well-suited for long bicycle trips and conveniently connects to a bicycle. Our winner for Best Solo Tent, the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo also comes in a bikepacking model if you buy the 5-section 49” pole (though if you plan to bring your bike inside, we think you’ll prefer a bigger tent).
We have a complete guide to bikepacking tents here.
PANNIERS
As this area is often rainy, we recommend the waterproof Ortlieb Back-Roller panniers for those traveling with a traditional bike touring setup. See our How to Load Your Touring Bike section in our Best Touring Bicycles guide for more on why we like these panniers.
SLEEPING BAG
A 20-degree bag is perfect for all of the recommended seasons on this route. The Feathered Friends Swallow is our favorite 20F bag and top award winner in our Best Sleeping Bags guide and in our experience, can easily last a decade of use.
SLEEPING PAD
The Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite is a perfect choice. It packs down small and fits well in your bike luggage. We go in-depth into why we think it’s great in our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads guide (but it’s stellar for bicycle touring, too).
PEDALS
I used the Shimano M324 SPD pedals on this trip because they have a clip on one side and a flat platform on the other, so you can ride in comfort in any shoes. Many touring cyclists do not ride with clip-in pedals and it isn’t a requirement on the C&O Canal Towpath, either. If you do go clip-in, be sure to practice before. See more about pedals in our Bike Touring Packing List.
Saddle
I used the Brooks England B-17 saddle. Whatever saddle you choose, fit is crucial. Make sure your seat is good and broken in before you head out.
Water Bottle Holders
You’ll need easy access to your water bottles, and a good water bottle holder can make or break your trip.
BIKE LIGHTS
I used the Cygolite Dash Pro 600 as a front bicycle light and the Cygolite Hypershot 350 as a rear bike light. Never ride in traffic in low light without a rear red light. No amount of gear can completely protect you from danger, but lights and reflective materials can go a long way. For help choosing a bike light for you, check out our Best Mountain Bike Lights story.
HEADLAMP
You’ll want a headlamp for camp. Even if you’re traveling from B&B to B&B, a headlamp is a handy thing to have in an emergency. Choose a headlamp that is bright, lightweight, and has a long battery life. We recommend some of our favorites in our Best Headlamps story.
STOVE/POT/SKILLET
If you’re cooking for yourself along the way, bring along a pot, skillet and cookware. We’re fans of the folding all-in-one GSI Outdoors Escape Pot and Frypan, which include a 3 L pot and 10” skillet that compress to the size of a Frisbee. See our Best Backpacking Cook Pot story and Best Backpacking Stoves story for some of our favorites that are lightweight and affordable.
FIRST AID KIT
Bring one that’s homemade. See our Make Your Own Emergency Kit story.
A helmet, bright visibility, and sunglasses are musts for the GAP. Photo by Brandon Lampley.
What to Wear
SHOES
This author prefers mountain bike shoes with SPD cleats and pedals for touring. Hiking shoes or trail running shoes work great for those using flat pedals.
HELMET
A bicycle helmet is the most important ‘clothing’ item you can wear. We get into details and recommendations in our Best Road Bike Helmets story.
We prefer padded bike shorts for multi-day rides. Having two pair on hand is key, which gives you time to wash or air out the other pair.
INSULATED VEST
I wore the Patagonia Nano-Air insulated vest on this trip. It is lightweight, breathable, and comes in bright orange, making me more visible at road crossings. Paired with a windshirt like the Patagonia Houdini, it's versatile for cool-weather riding. Learn more about synthetic insulation in our Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets guide.
RAIN JACKET
A set of cycling-specific rain gear is worth the investment for touring. The economy models from Showers Pass are great for saving some cash while still getting great functionality.
While one of the hiking or everyday rain jackets in our Best Rain Jackets guide will work, a cycling-specific rain jacket has a helmet-friendly hood, more reflective material, and a cut that is designed to be more aerodynamic and comfortable while riding.
RAIN PANTS
Cycling-specific rain pants like the Transit Bike Pants are designed for pedaling movement. They include Velcro on the lower legs to cinch down to keep loose material away from the drivetrain.
BIKE SHORTS
We prefer padded bike shorts for multi-day rides. Two pairs are the ticket. I used the REI Junction, which is affordable and time-tested. See our Best Men’s Mountain Bike Shorts guide to help find a pair that is best for you.
If you prefer the length and modesty of a mountain biking style short, see our Best Women’s Mountain Biking Shorts guide.
BASE LAYER
If it’s cool in the morning, a base layer is great for layering. Size base layers to fit over riding shorts. You can also use them as sleeping clothes or in town when grabbing food. I used an REI merino midweight half zip. See more about base layers in our Best Base Layers guide.
BIKE GLOVES
One pair of simple bike gloves and a second pair of full-finger cool-weather gloves are key. If you already have gloves, they will work with one caveat: they need to be tight. Any loose material can potentially get stuck in your brake levers.
We like the Pearl Izumi Cyclone, which have the added benefit of being high vis when you hand signal your turns. Most bike gloves come with a high vis option. While almost any bike gloves will work, choose one with better visibility (bright color/reflective/etc.). Here is a place to start looking for Mountain Biking Gloves.
WINTER GLOVES
I also carry one pair of cheap wool gloves for camp. Wool doesn't melt when you touch your hot pot or stove. See our Best Winter Gloves guide for other affordable suggestions.
Other Resources
GAPTrail.org has all the online planning and informational resources you could need for both the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath. Lodging, bike shops, restaurants, all of it can be found here. There’s also a site devoted specifically to cycling the GAP and C&O that might be helpful.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brandon Lampley is an all-around outdoor enthusiast who comes to Treeline Review from Outdoor Gear Lab, where he was Senior Editor. Brandon has summited Denali and Ama Dablam and pioneered first ascents in the Indian and Chinese Himalaya. His bigwall climbs include several El Cap routes in Yosemite. He’s spent a month kayaking the Sea of Cortes, bike toured across the U.S. several times, and thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail. For three years, Brandon lived and worked in Phortse, Nepal as the project director of the Khumbu Climbing Center where he worked alongside Nepali climbers to increase safety for high-altitude climbers and workers.
When he’s not on a long trip or traveling, Brandon lives in his van exploring the U.S. and has biked and climbed in 48 states and 20+ countries. Most recently, he can be found gold panning in the mountains of North Carolina. He holds degrees in Environmental Science, Geology, and Psychology from Duke University.
You can read more about Brandon and see his other articles on his author page.
