Great Allegheny Passage Bike Tour

Car-Free Bike Touring on the Great Allegheny Passage Rail Trail

Great Allegheny Passage: One of America’s Most Beautiful Rail Trails

This trip is a slower-paced version of the full 6-day tour. Instead of daily mileage of 50-60 miles, you will be riding 30-45 miles a day. This 4-day tour features a large chunk—but not all of this flagship rail trail.

 

Relax, take in the sights and enjoy! In a region overflowing with stunning natural beauty and with an amazing history, this tour is sure to delight. Suitable for beginners and intermediate cyclists, the repurposed passageway is a nearly flat journey. The trip ends in Cumberland, Maryland, which is the starting place of the C&O Canal.

 

Custom bike tour departures available for groups of 6 or more.

Tour Highlights

Ohiopyle Falls

Historic Districts

Cross the Youghiogheny River on a 100'-tall railroad bridge

101' high Salisbury Viaduct

Transportation back to vehicles

Lodging Options

The Inn at Lenora's

Historic Summit Inn

Yoder's Guest House

Day 1: The first day riding starts at the Historic Pump House in Homestead. The city and its surrounding regions’ rich industrial history will be on display for our first section of trail. At McKeesport, we cross the scenic Riverton Bridge and follow the beautiful Youghiogheny River upstream. Here, you will begin to notice longer stretches of trail between towns, which will give you a taste of tomorrow’s rustic riding. Eventually, we arrive in Perryopolis to stay at the Inn at Lenora’s.

 

Day 2: Pedal through historically industrial coal patch towns, past waterfalls and beautiful mountain laurel as you enter the Youghiogheny River Gorge and Ohiopyle State Park. After crossing the Youghiogheny River twice via two spanning railroad bridges, the ride concludes in Ohiopyle at our outfitters base. Once there, you will then have the option to check out the stunning Ohiopyle falls or relax with a beer at Falls City Pub! We will tour UNESCO World Heritage Site Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater before heading to the Summit Inn for the night.

 

Day 3: After a morning riding through the remaining section of the green tunnel in Ohiopyle State Park, you will find yourself high above the ground as you bike across the 101-feet-high Salisbury Viaduct!  This former railway viaduct carries riders for 1,908 feet of trail, providing a sweeping, panoramic view of the landscape. Tonight, enjoy a comfortable night’s rest at Yoder’s Guest House in Meyersdale.

 

Day 4: Today’s stretch will take riders through three railroad tunnels, one of which is the Big Savage Tunnel, a 3,294-foot tunnel that was completed in 1912.  You will cross the Eastern Continental Divide, entering into the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Enjoy a downhill cruise all the way to Cumberland, where the Great Allegheny Passage meets the C&O Canal Towpath. We will enjoy one last meal together before the trip comes to an end. We will provide a return shuttle to the starting location of the trip to retrieve guest vehicles.  

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Tour Options

“Wonderful trip, our third with WV. The guides, Zach and Steve were splendid. Lodging and food were nice with variety, and providing a feel of the small towns we were riding through. Beautiful trails with great details about places along the way provided on our cue sheets. Perfect four days of biking!”

~Diana L, Winston Salem, NC

Top 3 Blog Posts on the Great Allegheny Passage

The historic Great Allegheny Passage isn’t just a path through the woods. The 10-foot-wide multipurpose trail is built on railroad corridors constructed to heavy-duty standards of gentle grades, sweeping curves and major bridges and tunnels that take you through the mountains, not over them.  

One of the best things about bike touring is eating lots of food. The Great Allegheny Passage (a 150-mile continuous rail-trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland) is one of the best touring routes because it goes through many different towns. Your journey along the GAP trail can be a food tour through the Allegheny Mountains!

While riding the GAP you will cross 21 historic railroad bridges, plus another 9 small wooden trestle bridges, for a total of 30 bridges on your journey. The GAP is a bridge buff’s dream!

Trip Information

4

Trip Length - Days

bike-rail
Tour Type
Rail Trail
Active-Difficulty
Tour Rating
Active
Bike Tour Routes with Elevation gain and loss
Route Overview
E-bikes Allowed

Required Specifications

  • 50 pounds or less weight limit
  • Pedal assist only
  • Removable battery
  • 5+ hour battery capacity
32-40

Daily Mileage

Check In Location
Ohiopyle, PA
Gap tour bike map
Tour Area
SAG Vehicle New York Finger Lakes Bike Tour
Support & Gear Vehicle
18

Minimum Age

Meals

3 Breakfasts | 4 Lunches
3 Dinners

Pricing
  • PP Double Occupancy

    $1695
  • Single Supplement*

    $285
  • Standard Bike Rental

    $140

*This is required if you are traveling solo or if you are traveling with someone but require separate beds.

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