Leaders on the Great Allegheny Passage
The rumble of passing trains through Ohiopyle on the active lines just outside the Wilderness Voyageurs headquarters reminds us of the rich history of the former rail corridor just across the Youghiogheny River. Now the Great Allegheny Passage, the multi-purpose rail-trail sparked a serious evolution in our company as well as the rail-trail movement as a whole. From the very beginning to present day, we remain leaders on the Great Allegheny Passage.
Wilderness Voyageurs and the Great Allegheny Passage’s stories are deeply entwined. Our founder was involved in the funding and development of the original section of the trail. We helped drive further trail growth by providing early tours to Pittsburgh economic development stakeholders. Our company witnessed first-hand how the Great Allegheny Passage transformed the region around us. The trail became a staple and led to us being the leading authority on rail-trail tours across the country.
The Humble Beginnings of the Great Allegheny Passage
Our involvement with the Great Allegheny Passage goes way back to the original funding in the early 1980s. One of our founders, Lance Martin, sat on the board of the America’s Industrial Heritage Program. This National Parks Service initiative gave the first $1 million for feasibility studies for a recreational trail. Already a whitewater outfitter in town, Lance knew that the project would bring even more visitors to the area.
In 1978, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy purchased 26.75 miles of the abandoned rail corridor from Connelsville to Confluence, Pennsylvania. By 1986, the first 9-mile stretch of the Great Allegheny Passage was completed through Ohiopyle State Park. This section was called the Yough River Trail. Soon enough, thousands of people were flocking to the area to experience the trail. Wilderness Voyageurs quickly opened a bike shop to service trail riders. At the same time, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy was founded. Picture below: Bikers riding on the original Yough River Trail in 1986. Photo courtesy of GapHistory.org
The Building of the Trail
A more ambitious plan moved full steam ahead starting in the 1990s. Rail-trail groups formed all along the corridor. It quickly became apparent that a continuous trail might be possible from Pittsburgh to Cumberland and even to Washington, DC.
Soon enough the groups joined together to form the Allegheny Trail Alliance, a coalition of seven trail organizations in southwestern Pennsylvania and western Maryland that is charged with promoting and enhancing the Great Allegheny Passage. The rest of the trail was constructed piece-by-piece by these local volunteer groups and government agencies.
As the project moved forward, Wilderness Voyageurs hosted our first GAP bike tour with several individuals involved in economic development in Pittsburgh, including then Mayor Thomas J. Murphy Jr. This 1999 tour paved the way for further expansion in the northern sections of trail. Already a big bike trail fan, Mayor Murphy soon threw his entire support behind the Great Allegheny Passage after experiencing the trail for himself. Picture below: an early Wilderness Voyageurs bike tour.
In 2013, the trail was completed from Pittsburgh to Cumberland. The final “gap” in the GAP, the Pinkerton Tunnel, was finished in 2014 with generous private donations. Now the trail is mainly volunteer-managed and maintained. They’re constantly working to keep the trail safe for thousands of cyclists, runners and walkers to enjoy each year.
Wilderness Voyageurs and the Great Allegheny Passage
Wilderness Voyageurs witnessed it all, from conception to completion. We remained active participants in the process step-by-step. Our company witnessed as the towns that dot the trail’s corridor, rise from their industrial ashes and turn into thriving trail towns. We put our own sweat equity into the trail by relentlessly promoting, advocating, and sharing the trail’s greatness.
Early in the process, Wilderness Voyageurs connected with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to form a partnership that continues today. This relationship helps to further share our love and expertise for the GAP through hosting rides and events, like the organization’s Sojourns. Additionally, the conservancy has assisted us as we expanded our expertise and tours onto more rail-trails across the country.
Our Great Allegheny Passage bike tours have transformed, expanded and evolved since that very first important trip in 1999. The popularity of the trail allowed more lodging to become available over time, and guests were always requesting different ways to explore the trail.
Today we continue our legacy on the Great Allegheny Passage with more tour options, nearly 50 yearly departures, and over 200 total trips under our belt. Additionally, we offer shuttles for cyclists wanting to explore the trail on their own. Our Ohiopyle bike shop offers rentals for visitors and support for bikers who stop in town. No matter how you want to experience the GAP, we’ve got you covered.
We take great pride in our relationship with the trail, it’s history and future. Guests on our GAP bike tours get to experience the trail with Great Allegheny Passage leaders.
Wilderness Voyageurs operates fully supported, inn-to-inn bicycle tours across the United States. We offer more rail-trail tours and biking destinations than any other U.S. based bike tour company.