You’re ready to leave behind the pressure and the grind. You deserve some peace and quiet. And maybe you’d like a fresh perspective. They’re all possible on the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage, a beloved green corridor winding through the Laurel Highlands, and a perfect place for bicycling, hiking, walking, or wandering. Deep woods, mountain meadows, and a necklace of trail towns await, each with charm, art, lodging, and festivals. You can challenge yourself to take on miles of travel or just make a leisurely escape. The GAP is ready for you. So get out of the office and rediscover the good life.
Carefree Bicycling Adventures
The Great Allegheny Passage welcomes bicyclists from all over the world, yet remains decidedly uncrowded. “Affording riders views of pastoral farmland, tumbling waterfalls, flowing rivers, and historic railroad trestles, it’s a great way to explore wild corners not reachable by car,” notes National Geographic. You’ll find secluded spots inside Ohiopyle State Park where the GAP traces the Youghiogheny River through Pennsylvania’s deepest gorge. Or pause at vistas among the rhododendrons high above the Casselman River near Rockwood. It’s perfect for out-and-back day rides, short overnight trips, or multiday adventures. You can rent a bike in West Newton, Confluence, or Cumberland, or you can bring your own. E-bikes are welcome — the kind that offer pedal-assist, not the throttle-powered variants — and you’ll find charging stations in Connellsville, Meyersdale, and Frostburg. If you’re looking for autonomy, you can certainly plan your own self-guided trip; outfitters also stand at the ready to build you a customized itinerary. And if you’ve got luggage, shuttle services are ready to lighten your load, by hand-delivering your bags to your next inn or hotel.
Art and Whimsy
Perhaps it’s not so much about the miles, but being inspired by artistic beauty. The Great Allegheny Passage links all kinds of outdoor art, museums, and notable architectural wonders perfect for experiencing wonder. For starters, at Frostburg, take on the switchback from the GAP up toward the National Road — it’s dotted with larger-than-life bicycle-themed sculptures Climb and Glide, by metalworker Scott Cawood. And that town’s Spring Arts Walk is a perfect way to discover local artists’ work. In Confluence, Tissue Farm hosts artists-in-residence in a converted mid-century auto dealership, with exhibits and artisan fairs held through the year; stay for a cup of espresso. Over in Connellsville, the Connellsville Gateway Arch soars above the GAP adorned with stained glass locally-produced by Youghiogheny Opalescent Glass. Take a tour of the Allegany Museum in Cumberland, which contains artifacts, print and manuscript materials, maps, photographs, motion picture film, video and audio oral histories, and paintings, including woodcarvings by artisan Claude Yoder. Near the coal-patch town of Whitsett, stop at the Darr Mine Mosaic Memorial, which commemorates the lives of 239 boys and men lost to a tragic disaster with a series of poignant mosaic roundels and red-dog nameplates. In Ohiopyle, Touchstone Center by the Falls hosts pop-up events featuring a rotating mix of artist tents, hands-on activities, live demonstrations, and other engaging experiences. And of course, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob are just a quick shuttle away. So whether you’re spending the day on the GAP or just pausing on an overnight adventure, come explore — you might leave with a little creative inspiration for your heart or in your saddlebag.
Celebrations and Festivals
Most any weekend along the Great Allegheny Passage, you’ll find delightfully charming events unique to our slice of Appalachia, each of which offer a trailside break, perfect for getting away from the buzz and bright lights of busier places. You make your own pace on the GAP, so why not go slowly and discover a new favorite stop? For instance, make your way to Meyersdale for the Pennsylvania Maple Festival, complete with sticky-sweet syrups and tours of local farms not fare from the GAP and the 100-foot-high Salisbury Viaduct. If history is your happy place, visit Connellsville for the annual reenactment of General Edward Braddock’s 1755 crossing of the Youghiogheny River, or Homestead for the Festival of Combustion, rekindling memories of steelmaking in Pittsburgh’s “Mon Valley.” Visit Cumberland for DelFest, the region’s longest-running bluegrass festival, or Frostburg’s Appalachian Festival, a long weekend’s worth of arts and crafts, films, lectures, and concerts celebrating mountain culture. Take part in GO Laurel Highlands’ Pour Tour, sampling the region’s best brews, wines, and spirits with several stops along the GAP. Linger in Ohiopyle for the Spirit of the River Wine and Arts Festival. And prioritize Pumpkinfest, Confluence’s annual fall festival featuring a parade, classic car show, square dancing, and of course, a largest-pumpkin contest. You can drive to these events and explore the GAP on foot, or include them in your long-distance bicycling itinerary. Anything’s possible! And you’ll return home feeling rejuvenated.