A self-guided bicycle tour along the Great Allegheny Passage from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD. Tour includes options for 3 or 4 day trips.
Pricing: $49
Details:
Rider Level
Intermediate-Advanced
Distance, Parcours, and Accommodation
35-60 miles daily, 3 or 4 days, flat terrain, gravel surface. Daily mileage varies by itinerary (longer trip, shorter riding)
What’s Included:
- Full Itinerary
- Hand-picked campsites and accommodations that have the best the GAP has to offer (and avoids noisy areas)
- Gear Checklist
- Logistics for travel and safe parking
- Dozens of options for things to do, places to eat, and things to see
- Ride with GPS downloadable route with waypoints, places of interest, elevation profile, and mile marks
The Lowdown
Enjoy a gravel bike tour through the Appalachian Mountains and along quiet river valleys on the Great Allegheny Passage. This 150-mile trail stretches from the heart of downtown Pittsburgh to the mountain town of Cumberland, Maryland. Once a critical rail corridor for coal and steel, today the GAP is a peaceful, car-free route through forest, farmland, and former industrial towns that now welcome cyclists with small-town charm and trail-side hospitality.
This is an easy-to-medium difficulty tour. The trail is made of crushed limestone and follows a gentle rail grade, making it ideal for riders with a range of experience. Daily mileage is moderate, and the route is well-supported—perfect for first-time tourers or anyone looking for a stress-free ride with backup. Whether you choose comfortable B&Bs or campsites under the stars, we’ll help you get the most out of your journey.
Ride at your own pace, take in the views, and discover why the best way to travel is by bicycle.
What You’ll Love
The Great Allegheny Passage is a bucket-list ride for cyclists in the Mid-Atlantic. On this trip, you’ll follow a gently graded rail trail through Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, past old train depots, iron bridges, and the rustbelt towns that helped build America. Whether you’re pedaling beneath the forest canopy, crossing sweeping viaducts, or cruising through century-old tunnels, the GAP offers something new around every bend.
You’ll love the quiet beauty of the Youghiogheny River, the small-town hospitality, and the satisfaction of biking from a bustling city skyline into the Appalachian Mountains. Add in evenings around a campfire or resting your legs in a cozy trail town B&B, and you’ve got the perfect long-weekend escape.
The Tour (abbreviated 4-day itinerary below, full 3 or 4 day itinerary with accommodations and way points included with purchase)
Day 1 – Start your ride from Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh. Cruise the Monongahela River past steel towns and cityscapes before easing into small towns and wooded trails. End the day in West Newton for riverside dining and a cozy stay.
Day 2: Follow the scenic Youghiogheny River through farm country and forest. Stop in Connellsville for lunch and continue to the outdoor paradise of Ohiopyle, home to waterfalls, natural waterslides, and one of the East’s best-loved state parks.
Day 3: Ride quiet stretches of trail and cross two of the GAP’s crown jewels: the Salisbury Viaduct and the Keystone Viaduct. Climb steadily toward the Eastern Continental Divide and settle into the hilltop town of Meyersdale.
Day 4: Pedal through the Big Savage Tunnel at the continental divide, snap a photo at the Mason-Dixon Line, and enjoy 20 miles of mostly downhill trail into Cumberland, MD. Celebrate your ride with a local beer or bite at the trail’s end.
Interested in other tours? Click here for our offerings!
Need help training? Read our bicycle tour training guide