Great Allegheny Passage, Cumberland: Hours, Address, Great Allegheny Passage Reviews: 5/5
Great Allegheny Passage
Great Allegheny Passage
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
The Great Allegheny Passage soars over valleys, snakes around mountains, and skirts alongside three rolling rivers on its nearly level path from Cumberland, Md. to Pittsburgh. Cyclists pass through the Cumberland Narrows, cross the Mason-Dixon Line, top the Eastern Continental Divide, wind their way through Pennsylvania’s breathtaking Laurel Highlands, journey through the region’s coke, coal, mining, and steel-making corridor, and end at Pittsburgh’s majestic Point State Park. Stunning views of waterfalls, gorges, river valleys, and farmland are everywhere, especially from outside the Big Savage Tunnel, from the sweeping Salisbury Viaduct, at both ends of the Pinkerton Tunnel, and via the Ohiopyle High and Low Bridges. Riders overlook the joining of rivers at Confluence, McKeesport, and Pittsburgh, and can explore adjoining peninsulas, state parks, hollows, wildflower stands, and forests on foot at many places along the trail.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
68 within 3 miles
Ristorante Ottaviani
393
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Queen City Creamery & Deli
345
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • American • Cafe
Baltimore Steet Grill
261
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
Cafe Mark
207
322 ft$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
City Lights
157
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
The Crabby Pig
518
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American
Coney Island Famous Weiners
72
0.2 mi$ • American
M and M Bakery
49
0.1 mi$ • Bakeries • American
Curtis Famous Weiners
94
0.1 mi$ • American
Uncle Jack's Pizzeria & Pub
161
320 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pizza
Attractions
23 within 3 miles
Cumberland Visitor Center
66
99 ftVisitor Centers
George Washington's Headquarters
42
181 ftHistoric Sites
C&O Canal National Historical Park and Visitors Museum
188
423 ftVisitor Centers
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
644
226 ftScenic Railroads
Allegany Museum
52
422 ftSpeciality Museums
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
32
499 ftReligious Sites
Fort Cumberland Emporium
9
475 ftAntique Shops
Bell Tower Building
2
0.1 miArchitectural Buildings
Allegany County Courthouse
3
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Government Buildings
Allegany County Library System - Washington Street Library
6
0.1 miLibraries
Contribute
Popular mentions
5.0
236 reviews
Excellent
207
Very good
26
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
SusieDee1
Plymouth, MI90 contributions
Cumberland to Frostberg and Back
Jun 2021 • Couples
Nicely maintained packed gravel trail. Slight grade up for the 16 miles to Frostberg. Mostly shaded in the morning. Awesome cruising on the way back! Have lunch at the Princess Cafe in Frostberg. Had a very nice day.
Written June 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
🎓🤓 Keep Life Simple 🤓🎓
Pittsburgh, PA33,655 contributions
Great walk
Oct 2020
A fantastic Trail, I just walked sections of it, The section from Smiton to West newton is an excellent walk. You can stop in many towns and get a meal or A bed and breakfast for the night. The Youghiogheny River is beautiful
Written January 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wendy B
Washington DC, DC16 contributions
Thanks to all the volunteers & groups that make the GAP GREAT!
Oct 2020
What a beautiful, well maintained trail. You could see how much effort goes into the upkeep, not to mention the costs. THANK YOU for all those who worked to make it happen and those who keep it up- a wonderful socially-distanced vacation experience that I would do again and highly recommend!
Written October 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dave E
Mohnton, PA130 contributions
A real treasure!
Oct 2020
150 miles of well maintained trail between Cumberland and Pittsburgh. My favorite section was the 34 miles nearest Cumberland: Viaducts, Tunnels, Bridges, the Eastern Continental Divide, views, and more! We rode almost all of the GAP, in both directions, on road bikes with 28 mm tires.
Written October 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karen S
Pennsylvania289 contributions
Enjoyable bike ride
Sep 2020
We rode the portion of the Great Allegheny Passage from Frostburg to the Eastern Continental Divide. Although most of the rails to trails we ride in PA are asphalt, the ride here is mostly smooth stone (crushed limestone). It slowed us down a little but we had the whole day to waste. It was a slight uphill journey but a very interesting one. The Mason-Dixon line was neat and the views near the Big Savage Tunnel were awesome. Only complaints were the young couple walking the 4 dogs near the divide were leaving their dogs waste on the trail as they walked and older gentleman than almost ran head-on into my husband in the "lighted" tunnel.
Written September 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gayle G
Shrewsbury, MA289 contributions
Epic bike trip
Sep 2020
I biked the GAP immediately after the C&O canal, from Cumberland to Pittsburgh. Purchase the official TrailGuide for $10 prior to planning your trip. My son and I biked 61 miles uphill to Confluence the first day and the remaining 86 miles to Pittsburgh the second day. I would stay in Ohiopyle over Confluence if I did it again. Ohiopyle is beautiful. Don’t let the elevation map scare you. It is a very gentle 1.5% incline to the Eastern Continental Divide. The Mason Dixon line was cool to see. There is also a bike oriented sculpture park in Frostberg. We saw lots of wildlife: a goat, deer, pheasants, turkey. Stop at the visitor center in Myersdale to see the model trains and the visitor center in West Newton for any souveniers. The trail is very well maintained with a fine sand over hardpacked dirt. Virtually no holes. The last part from Boston to Pittsburgh is paved. This is where we encountered the most people. It also happened to be a Saturday. The nature along the trail is beautiful with stunning bridges and cool tunnels. I will do this trail again.
Written September 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kent H
McLean, VA66 contributions
Excellent rail ride
Jul 2020
We rode from Pittsburgh to Cumberland. Parked our car in Cumberland and had Wilderness Outfitters shuttle us up to Pittsburgh so we can ride back to Cumberland. We enjoyed doing it this direction. It never felt like we were going uphill because the grade is so gentle - maybe 1 percent in places. From the Eastern Continental Divide down to Cumberland the grade is a bit steeper and we enjoyed the coasting down hill. We spent a night at Wyndham Grand in Pittsburgh before beginning the ride and took time to ride the trails along the rivers and tour around the city. Well worth it. We then took 6 days to ride the 150 miles so we could get to our destinations before afternoon thunderstorms and also so we could spend extra time in Ohiopyle enjoying the hikes and river.
Written July 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SusieDee1
Plymouth, MI90 contributions
Awesome well-maintained trail.
Jul 2020 • Couples
We started in Connellsville and went up (2% grade) approximately 17 miles to Ohiopyle and back, Ohiopyle to Fort ? And back, then Rockwood to Meyersdale and back, then Meyersdale over the gap to Frostburg and back. Wonderful trail, mostly canopied, wildlife, views, places to eat. Great trip. We will be going back, and will combine with rafting in Ohiopyle.
Written July 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vicki A
Brunswick, Md.1,296 contributions
LOVED, LOVED walking part of this passage! GREAT experience!
May 2020
We were SO pleased with our visit here. It was totally worth the walk and visit to the area. What gorgeous views. Easy access from town. LOVE IT!!
Written June 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BackPacker755028
2 contributions
Nice trail
Sep 2019
We shuttled from Pittsburgh to Meyersdale, then rode our bikes to Cumberland, shuttled back to Meyersdale and then rode back to Pittsburgh. We liked doing it this way since it was all downhill. We did it in 4 days, which required a couple of 40+ mile days, and if we had it to do over we would probably would ride fewer miles per day. The trail is very pretty, flat, well-signed and very well-maintained, except for the portion between McKeesport and Pittsburgh, which often goes through unattractive areas, has sections where the trail disappears, is often poorly signed and has lots of steep ups and downs. For the part of the trail between Cumberland and McKeesport you are usually in forest. There were occasional expansive look-outs, especially when crossing one of the spectacular trestles, but mostly it was pretty enclosed. Ohiopyle was a very enjoyable and beautiful stop. Get Out and Play provided very good, dependable shuttle service, and Sunshine Luggage Shuttle provided excellent and very reasonably priced luggage transport for all our stops along the trail.
Written December 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thanks for riding and reporting out! We're glad you enjoyed your trip. The section between McKeesport and Pittsburgh was a very challenging section to build, given the built environment that for 150 years housed the country's busiest steel-making operation on which cities and armies depended, and in which multiple railroads, city streets, and residential, commerical, and industrial uses crowded together. Building a trail through this historically busy and critical geography required a bit of on-road riding (rather than having no route at all) where current business owners or topography did not allow us to build trail, and the steep ups and downs you refer to relate to the need to cross active rail lines in Duquesne, Pa. as per regulations demanded by the railroads. Of course, the forests in this area are long gone, but there are osprey, eagle, and kestrel nests to observe. Next time you're in the area, do stop at the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area's Pump House, the site of the infamous 1892 Homestead Steel Strike.
Written December 9, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pam S
Wellington, OH38 contributions
Any recommendations for long-term (4 days) parking in downtown Pittsburgh near the GAP trailhead?
We recommend the First Avenue Garage, 600 First Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. which is right on the GAP. An alternative is the Grant Street Transportation Center, 55 Eleventh Street, 15219, which is convenient for those connecting or returning by Amtrak. Check in with the staff on duty to alert them to your overnight parking plans.
John M
Elgin, IL5 contributions
My wife and I are thinking about this ride on our tandem. looking at about 50 miles/day for a leisurely ride. At this time our plan us to ride east from Pittsburg to Cumberland. Any recommendations for hotels/motels at each trail head, and what about transportation back, can Amtrak handle a tandem on the Capitol Limited? Thanks in advance. John Martin, Elgin IL
Hi, John, I'm sorry for the delay in answering your questions. One of the best features of the Great Allegheny Passage are the lodging options -- from guesthouses to cottages to B&B's. May I suggest that you pick up a copy of TrailGuide at our website (a good $10 investment, with maps of the trail and towns) to outline your options? As for Amtrak, I'm afraid their bicycle service doesn't allow for tandems. The bikes hang by their front wheel and tandems usually exceed the length from the hangar to the floor of the rail car. You may wish to double-check with Amtrak to be sure.
Pam S
Wellington, OH38 contributions
Is it better to do the GAP ride from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, or vice versa?
Sorry for the delay, Pam. The advantage of Pittsburgh to Cumberland is the 22-mile "downhill" at the end, from the Eastern Continental Divide to Cumberland. I do prefer Cumberland to Pittsburgh, though, since my legs are fresh on day one to climb that same 2 percent grade up, and then when I arrive in Pittsburgh I'm closer to my car, and home, and a shower.
Will be staying at Rocky Gap hotel where would you get on the bike trail? How far to the tunnel.
glomdr
Winchester, VA32 contributions
You would get on the trail in Cumberland at mile 0. It is 22 miles to Big Savage Tunnel.
Laura W
Ogdensburg
I see most people do the GAP as a bike ride. Some friends and I wanted to hike the trail instead. do you have any information about that? Thanks!!
HappyHikerGirl
Madison, NJ496 contributions
When we did the GAP last year we only saw cyclists. I hike. Personally, I wouldn't enjoy the GAP as a hike. My preference for hiking is mountainous, more scenic, and more intimate with nature. The GAP is a well maintained rails-to-trails trail. IMO the first quarter from Pittsburgh south to West Newtown is not very scenic as there are a lot of industrial factories, empty industrial factories and waste, and small towns that are struggling. The most scenic portion starts before Ohiopyle through Cumberland. If I were to hike it, I'd start in Ohiopyle.
Cindy M
Checotah, OK4 contributions
Is there a bike shuttle from pittsburgh to cumberland! We want to park in Pittsburgh and bike from Cumberland to Pittsburgh. Thanks!
Rock City Shuttles, Golden Triangle Bike, Cumberland Trail Connection are all possibilities. Amtrak also runs between Pittsburgh and Cumberland and can be a good option. Pick up a copy of TrailGuide for a longer list of shuttle services, available at the GAPTraul website or on Amazon.
k s
Fairfax, VA59 contributions
how difficult is navigating the incomplete section, especially near Pittsburgh?
HappyHikerGirl
Madison, NJ496 contributions
It's not hard to navigate the incomplete section in Pittsburgh. We stayed at the Courtyard Pittsburgh Downtown, which is literally blocks from the official start in Point State Park. One tip: ride the bike trail along the water to get to Point State Park, then follow the signs (we did take 1-2 wrong turns). If you do this you are doing the actual GAP that takes you along a highway and other not so scenic things. Tip from couple who did the GAP with us, they crossed the Monongahela River via the highway - 376 (right at the park) and then rode that other trail the GAP. They had done the GAP, but knew that was more scenic. That trail also has clearly marked signs.
Regarding hotels... that part of the trail: McKeesport to Meyersdale is not heavily populated and the number of people who do the GAP wouldn't sustain a Marriott or Hilton property. We stayed in West Newton: Bright Morning Bed & Breakfast and Ohiopyle: Yough Plaza Motel. Neither are establishments I would go to if I didn't have to (you can see my reviews and pictures).
BTW - I'm originally from Arlington, VA and my husband lived in Fairfax before we got married and moved to NJ. Happy travels KS from Ffx!
bam18Md
md4 contributions
I am trying to find information about RUNNING the GAP. Does anyone know if it is purely a cyclist trail and/or is it runner friendly? Or perhaps, I should ask from an etiquette perspective if runners should avoid this to leave it for cyclists? We would be looking to run about 14 miles probably a 7 mile out and back segment, preferably close to one of the towns, as a stop over in along any part of the trail on a road trip to Pittsburg. Thanks.
The Great Allegheny Passage is perfect for runners -- joggers, ultramarathoners, and anyone in between. Some of our trail groups host 5K and 10K events, and in October, you and seven teammates can participate in the GAP Trail Relay from Cumberland to Pittsburgh. The GAP's a regular spot for walkers, strollers, hikers, and in the winter, x-c skiiers. Enjoy!
Can you give me information about the train from Cumberland Md to Pittsburgh. Planning on doing the ride this summer. Would like to know where you get the train back to Pittsburgh.
Hi, Lori, Amtrak's Capitol Limited runs between Pittsburgh and Cumberland and each train holds eight (8) slots for bicycles. You can purchase your seat and a slot for your bike on a first-come, first-serve basis. See Amtrak's website for details. There are shuttle services available, and some folks are content to rent a car for their return trip.
