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.

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.