Overview
Trail: GAP - Rail Trail crushed limestone C&O - Off-Road gravel and dirt. Mileage: 330 miles - 41 mile daily average Tour timing: Late April through October The Great Allegheny Passage and The Chesapeake & Ohio Towpath, ride these with two great trails from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC and experience the beauty and history. This 8-day tour starts in Pittsburgh on the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) for 150 miles to Cumberland, MD. Then meet up with the Chesapeake & Ohio Tow Path (C&O) which leads you 180 miles to Washington, DC. You will pass many tunnels, locks, and historic Civil War towns and battlefields while also crossing the Eastern Continental Divide. What’s Included: Nightly Accommodations, Breakfast (in most locations), Digital Mapping & Voice Navigation, Electronic Itinerary, Trail Themed T-shirt and Patch. Extras: Shuttle from Cumberland to Pittsburgh, Luggage Shuttle, Bike Rentals and Extra Accommodations
Schedule
8 Day Itinerary
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Day 1
Pittsburgh to West Newton (34 miles)
Begin your GAP tour in Downtown Pittsburgh at the western terminus in Point State Park. Take a picture to start your tour, then follow the Monongahela River out of the city heading east. You will see Pittsburgh from a modern downtown to the former steel town that built the U.S. in the 20th century
Day 2
West Newton to Ohiopyle (42 miles)
Pedal through historic coal country, waterfalls and beautiful mountains as you enter the Youghiogheny River Gorge and Ohiopyle State Park. Take your time exploring Ohiopyle, this small town has many hiking trails or just watch the falls and rafters and kayakers making their way through the rapids.
Day 3
Ohiopyle to Meyersdale (42 miles)
You will now head into Southwestern Pennsylvania with their farmlands and many woods. The Pinkerton Tunnel is your first of several tunnels on the GAP (use caution entering and exiting!). Ride across the Salisbury Viaduct and enjoy this spectacular view. End the day in Meyersdale, home of the Pennsylvania Maple Festival.
Day 4
Meyersdale to Cumberland (42 miles)
You will have a short climb until you cross over the Eastern Continental Divide where you will ride through 3 tunnels, one being the Big Savage Tunnel which is 3294 feet long. You will also cross the Eastern Continental Divide where you can see 3 states on a clear day. Then it is downhill to Cumberland where the Great Allegheny Passage meets the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Towpath. You will be riding along the Maryland Scenic Railroad line where you can see a historic steam engine which still runs on some days before staying the night in Cumberland.
Day 5
Cumberland to Little Orleans (43 miles)
Riding out of Cumberland you will ride through the Paw Paw Tunnel 3118 feet long (bring your light!) which is a highlight of today's ride. Then it is back on the trail to your B&B for the night.
Day 6
Little Orleans to Williamsport (41 miles)
Today you can choose to ride the C&O all day or take the paved Maryland Scenic Rail Trail which parallels the towpath just west of Hancock and then take a short detour to Fort Frederick. Stop in the town of Hancock for lunch before ending in Williamsport
Day 7
Williamsport to Brunswick (45 miles)
The Big Slackwater section is unique on the towpath as you ride on a cantilevered concrete path above the Potomac River. Then you will be near Shepherdstown, WV and Sharpsburg, VA, the location of Antietam National Battlefield in the Civil War. You will then be near Harper's Ferry - look for bridge to cross - and see the National Park Service exhibit, shops and historic location, which is across from the trail
Day 8
Brunswick to Georgetown (D.C.) (55 miles)
Your last day on the trail heading to Washington DC. Be sure to stop in at the Brunswick Railroad Museum before heading out. You will then pass White's Ferry, the last operating cable ferry on the Potomac. Then you can look over the edge at Great Falls before entering Georgetown where you will be picked up for your return to Cumberland. If you are shuttling back to Pittsburgh, you will need to stay the night in Georgetown before getting shuttled back to Pittsburgh the next day (extra hotel not part of tour pricing but we can get you a room).
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