GAP + C&O Bike Trails
4 to 8 Day Bike Tours
Pittsburgh - Cumberland - Washington D.C.
Self-Guided
Ride trails separate or combined
April through October
GAP and C&O
Self-guided Bike Tours
The Great Allegheny Passage trail runs from Pittsburgh to Cumberland where it meets The Chesapeake & Ohio Towpath trail which goes to Georgetown (D.C.). You can ride these trails separately or for a combined ride.
Great Allegheny Passage is a 150-mile crushed limestone trail that follows the Allegheny river by waterfalls and dense tree-lined canopy's.
C&O Towpath is a 185-mile mostly dirt road with short paved sections and a couple dozen miles of manicured crushed stone. You bike rides through Civil War history with beautiful views following the Potomac River to Washington, DC.
Our tours include Accommodations, Breakfast, Digital Mapping & Voice Navigation, Electronic Itinerary, Trail themed T-shirt and Patch. You can also add Shuttle Service, Luggage Shuttle, Bike Rentals and Extra Accommodations to your tour.
We highly recommend booking protection or trip insurance for all tours.
About the GAP - 150 miles
Great Allegheny Passage
The trail starts in Pittsburgh, PA and finishes in Cumberland, MD through the Appalachian Mountains. You ride from urban to very rural areas seeing rugged natural terrain and quaint small towns. The surface is crushed limestone where hybrid bikes or ebikes can ride comfortably over this rail trail. At the highest point of the trail, you will cross the Eastern Continental Divide and then the trail drops around 1,700 feet over 18 miles before reaching Cumberland. Highlights along the route include Ohiopyle State Park and “Fallingwater” designed by Frank Lloyd Wright .
About C&O Towpath - 180 miles
C&O Canal Towpath
The trail runs along the north shore of the Potomac River from Cumberland, MD to Washington, DC (Georgetown). This canal was dug by hand starting 1828 and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal operated from 1831 to 1924 to transport coal from the Allegheny Mountains. You will ride over 11 aqueducts and pass many of the old locks. This mostly dirt road with short paved sections, and a couple dozen miles of manicured crushed stone will lead you through Civil War-era national parks and battlefields to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.
Self-Guided GAP & C&O BIKE Tours
* Price for Single: Price for solo cyclist or one person in a room.
Groups of 7 or more, or returning guests: receive 5% discount.
Tours available April-October
What people are saying
Check out our testimonials
FAQ's - GAP and C&O Trail
What are the trail conditions?
The GAP trail (Pittsburgh – Cumberland) is packed crushed gravel surface for a smooth ride. Built mainly on abandoned rail beds. The trail increases in elevation until Big Savage Tunnel where you go downhill1,754 feet in 24 miles to reach Cumberland.
C & O Canal (Cumberland – DC) is a well maintained and mostly flat dirt towpath. It is less smooth than the GAP Trail and you will have roots and rocks. Hybrid and ebikes do well on this surface.
What is included in your self-guided tours?
Crossroads Bike Tours is the #1 Tour Operator for Self-guided tours in North America. Our Self-guided tours on the GAP and C&O Towpath include your accommodations at great providers, GPS mapping and voice directions, electronic itinerary with restaurants recommendations and e-charging locations, themed t-shirt and patch.
You can also add shuttle from one end to the other, luggage shuttle, bike rentals (hybrid and e-bike) and extra hotel nights before or after your tour.
What is the best direction to travel?
At Crossroads Bike Tours we prefer travelling West to East due to the more downhill terrain and our services move in this direction as well.
Where do I start my tour?
We start our tours in Cumberland, MD. We can shuttle you to Pittsburgh on the first day of your tour (GAP and GAPCO) or you start riding in Cumberland for the C&O tour. There is free parking in Cumberland for the length of your tour as well.
If you want to start in Pittsburgh instead of Cumberland, you can catch a shuttle from Cumberland to Pittsburgh on the last day at 3pm (purchased separately) or you can catch a shuttle back from D.C. but you will need to stay the night before catching the shuttle the next day. Give us a call and we can explain your options further.
Best time of year to tour?
The trails are open from April to October but we find the best time to ride is Mid-May to Mid-June with less bugs and humidity then again Mid-Sept. to Mid-Oct. for the temperatures and fall colors.
Can I start my tour on another day?
Yes, you can send in an inquiry for a different start day based on availability. Our start dates allow you to start or end your tours on a Saturday for the 8 day tour. If you would like to start on another day, just email or fill out our "contact" information and let us know what day you prefer. We will work to make your tour happen.
What is your cancellation and change policy?
Cancellation and Change Policy - if Booking Protection or Trip Insurance isn't utilized
Deposits of 50% of tour and 100% of all “Extras” are due at the time of tour reservation.
Balances are due 60 days before the tour – your tour can be cancelled if balance is not paid on time
Changes: $40 Change Fee for each change after 7 days of purchase
Cancellations: If you give notice of cancellation before the tour:
91+ days - 100% refund less $250 per person or can change date for $150
90-60 days – 50% refund or can change date for $150
59-30 days – 25% refund or can change date for $250
29-0 days – No refund or transfers
Fees are not included in the refund
Written notice by e-mail no later than the above deadlines to apply proper credit to your account. tours@crossroadsbiketours.com
We highly recommend Booking Protection or Trip Insurance. We have seen many reasons for people need to cancel due to accident, illness, family members having illness, jury or military duty, fire and pregnancy. All of these are covered with our Booking Protection, which is available to most people to purchase at checkout, or you can purchase your own trip insurance or check your homeowners’ or credit card policy for coverage.
What is Booking Protection?
Crossroads Bike Tours has a Booking Protection Option available at the checkout of your tour from a third-party provider XCover. Our customers can gain access to comprehensive coverage for a fee that varies from 6 to 7% of their booking total. This will entitle you to a refund if you are unable to attend the experience due to any of the reasons covered. Listed below are some of the covered reasons:
* Transportation disruption
* Accident or illness of ticket holder or member of immediate family (not pre-existing conditions)
* Jury or military duty
* Personal emergency (e.g. burglary or fire)
* Pregnancy
* Extreme weather causing a delay in reaching the destination
Booking Protection is not Travel Insurance and does not provide health insurance when traveling.
Customers will have the option to add this at checkout. If a customer uses a payment plan the booking protection fee will be collected at the time of the first payment. All claims will be handled directly through our provider “Cover Genius” and not Crossroads Bike Tours. Please read the entire eligibility requirements at check out of your tour purchase for complete details.
Not every customer is eligible for this insurance due to State Regulations. If you do not receive Booking Protection at checkout, it cannot be added after purchase. Trip Insurance can be purchased on your own through several different companies after purchase such as Allianz. If you are eligible for this coverage, you will find it on our booking site after the “contact details” are provided and before payment