Explore the towns along the Great Allegheny Passage!
Imagine a 135-mile muscle-powered adventure that follows wild rivers, passes through shaded forests, and intersects with charming trailside communities. This nearly level ride along the Great Allegheny Passage is, quite simply, the “Ride of Your Life.”
The ride from McKeesport to Cumberland is only one way people are experiencing the trail. Others make the longer 316 mile trek from Washington, D.C. to near Pittsburgh. Still others load their bikes onto their cars for day and overnight trips.
However you wish to experience the trail, exploring the trail towns that line it is half the fun! Here’s a taste of what you’ll find in the towns:
Cumberland (Mile 0) - Long known as the "Queen City of Maryland", Cumberland continues to build upon its transportation and industrial heritage. The city's early development was linked to the Historic National Road, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, and railroading. It is here at Mile Marker "0" the Great Allegheny Passage meets the C&O Canal Towpath to Washington DC. It is also where the city's central business district and pedestrian mall with its numerous attractions and services are located.
Frostburg (Mile 15) - Founded in 1812 and named after it founders, Meshach and Catherine Frost, the City of Frostburg sits directly upon the Historic National Road, which along with coal and the establishment of what is now Frostburg State University played a major role in the city’s early development. Downtown shops are located just a few feet up Depot Street hill from the Great Allegheny Passage, and are worth the trip.
Meyersdale (Mile 32) – The “Maple City” (a.k.a. “the sweetest place on earth”) hosts the PA Maple Festival each year and is the closest trail town to the Maryland state border. Meyersdale is near breathtaking scenery and thrilling trail features like the Big Savage Tunnel and the Keystone and Salisbury viaducts.
Rockwood (Mile 43) – This charming trailside community has a small town feel but offers trail services in a big way. B&B’s, bike shops, and hometown restaurants are all at the trailhead or just in town. The Rockwood Opera House and Mill Shoppes is a former lumber mill and opera house that now houses shops and eateries in a National Register building.
Confluence (Mile 60) – The town motto is “Where mountains touch rivers” and you’ll know why when you visit. Confluence is a great little vacation community with riverside dining and a lovely town square. Annual events like Pumpkin Fest and Old Home Days are full of small town charm.
Ohiopyle (Mile 72) – Once known as Falls City, Ohiopyle has been a tourist destination since the advent of the railroads. Today, Ohiopyle is home to the renowned Ohiopyle State Park and is the most frequented of all of the Trail Towns with 1.5 million visitors annually.
Connellsville (Mile 88) – Connellsville’s coke factories once fueled the regional economy. Many of the town's buildings, churches and residences are indicative of this prosperous past. Today’s local favorites are Youghiogheny Glass (National Register building), Bud Murphy’s Pizza and El Canelo Mexican Restaurant.
West Newton (Mile 114) – The closest of the trail towns to Pittsburgh, West Newton is a historic community in the midst of a major facelift. The “Bridge to Tomorrow” that connects the trail to town will soon take trail users to a new town square and into the business community.
Looking for places to stay, dine, and visit while in the towns?
Visit our overview map page for a listing of town amenities. http://www.atatrail.org/maps/map.cfm.
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