Things To Do
From bicycling and hiking to snowshoeing and trainspotting, the Great Allegheny Passage offers all kinds of adventures. You'll always find something fun to do, no matter the season. So gear up for a solo trek, or explore a trail town with friends.
The Great Allegheny Passage is a perfect playground for day visits, overnight adventures, or thru-trips. Tour a nearby trail town, or find a quiet fishing spot. Pause among wildflowers. Splash in a waterfall! Take a tandem bike out to the Mason & Dixon Line. Look for wild turkeys, turtles, or butterflies. Treat yourself to ice cream and then collapse into a cozy guesthouse. From end to end, you can explore new territory, linger at a favorite spot, meet other travelers, or escape the crowds.
Popular Places
The Great Allegheny Passage traces the development of America’s westward expansion, and provides a rich journey with great views, hospitable stops, and all the makings of a perfect adventure. You’ll visit viaducts where railroads once cut across valleys, and wind through trail towns where coal was once king. Winding over fourteen major bridges, through the deepest gorge in Pennsylvania, past dozens of colorful murals, and among countless sunny vistas, your trip ought to include photos at these perennial favorites.
Outdoor Recreation
The Great Allegheny Passage is perfect for exploring the most beautiful spots in two states. Beloved by bicyclists, hikers, and runners, its smooth surface and shaded canopies make it easy mile after mile. You’ll find great riverside spots for catching brook trout, and ridges for spectacular leaf-peeping. Put on inline skates near Downtown Pittsburgh, or saddle up your horse at Rockwood. Look for trains near McKeesport. Hire a rafting company in Ohiopyle. Or take your cross-country skis out to Frostburg. From end to end, you’ll find plenty to do, with something new every visit.
Recommended Trips
Maybe someday you will spend a week bicycling the Great Allegheny Passage and the adjoining C&O Canal Towpath. Or perhaps you just want to explore pieces of the GAP as day or weekend trips. We have put together some suggested itineraries that showcase some of the best features along both trails. Take a look!
Upcoming Events
Invite your friends to join you for a 5K, half-marathon, or memorial ride on the GAP. Or plan your weekend visit to coincide with one of the many festivals and celebrations held in trail towns. From maple syrup to Appalachian music, and from art to outdoor gear, there’s an event nearly every week, and we’ll capture the details for you.