The Great Allegheny Passage: What to Know Before You Ride
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There is a moment on the Great Allegheny Passage that most people describe the same way. You’ve been pedaling through Western Maryland’s mountains for miles, you come through the Brush Tunnel, you round Helmstetter's Curve and cross Cash Valley Road, and then the trail opens up and you roll across the railroad bridge into Cumberland. The brick sidewalks, the canal basin, the quiet confidence of a city that’s been here since before the country was a country. It settles something in you.
Cumberland, Maryland is the western terminus of the GAP trail, and for the hundreds of thousands of cyclists and hikers who make this journey each year, it is the beginning or the end of something meaningful. If you’re planning your first trip (or your fifteenth) here is what you should know before you go.
What Is the Great Allegheny Passage?
The Great Allegheny Passage is a 150-mile rail-trail connecting Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Cumberland, Maryland. It follows the routes of former railroad corridors through the Allegheny Mountains, passing through communities including Connellsville, Ohiopyle, Frostburg, and the town of Confluence, before arriving at the C&O Canal National Historical Park in Cumberland. Combined with the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath, which begins in Cumberland and runs 184.5 miles to Washington, D.C., the GAP forms a continuous 335-mile off-road trail corridor — one of the longest in the United States.
The trail is almost entirely crushed limestone and compacted gravel, suitable for hybrid bikes, gravel bikes, and mountain bikes. It is also popular with runners, walkers, and backpackers. The surface is well-maintained along most of its length, and the trail is generally well-marked with mileposts.
Planning Your Trip: The Basics
Most cyclists complete the full GAP in three to five days, though the trail is equally well-suited for day trips and weekend segments. Cumberland makes an ideal base for exploring both the GAP’s final miles and the opening stretch of the C&O Canal towpath.
• Total distance (GAP only): 150 miles, Pittsburgh to Cumberland
• Elevation: The trail’s high point is the Eastern Continental Divide near Meyersdale, PA, at 2,392 feet. The descent into Cumberland is steady and scenic.
• Difficulty: Moderate. The trail is almost entirely flat or gently graded along former railroad grades — no switchbacks, no technical climbing. The main challenge is distance and saddle time.
• Directions of travel: Many cyclists ride Pittsburgh to Cumberland (ending in town with a stop at the trailhead). Others begin in Cumberland and ride north — starting with the dramatic climb through the Narrows and into the mountains.
• Trailhead in Cumberland: The GAP western terminus is at the Canal Place Heritage Area at 13 Canal Street, Cumberland, MD. This is also the start of the C&O Canal Towpath.
What to Pack for the GAP
Packing smart is the difference between a comfortable journey and a miserable one. For a multi-day ride, here is what experienced GAP cyclists recommend:
• Panniers or a bikepacking setup: How you carry your gear matters. Panniers on a rear rack distribute weight well for loaded touring; bikepacking bags keep weight lower and centered if you’re on a gravel setup.
• Layers for mountain weather: Even in summer, mountain temperatures can swing 30 degrees between dawn and afternoon. A waterproof shell and a mid-layer are non-negotiable.
• Flat repair kit: Bring two spare tubes (at least), tire levers, a patch kit, and a frame pump. Trail towns are few and far between on some stretches.
• Navigation: A downloaded offline map of the trail in apps like RideWithGPS or Komoot. Cell service is intermittent through the mountains.
• Cash: Some of the best trail stops — small diners, farm stands, and local shops in trail towns — are cash-only or prefer it.
Cumberland: The Trail Town That Has It All
Cumberland is unlike any other stop on the GAP. It is a real city with real history. Once the second-largest city in Maryland by land area, it was the start of the National Road. George Washington passed through twice. The B&O Railroad made it an industrial powerhouse. The C&O Canal was built to reach it.
Today, Cumberland is in a chapter of genuine revival. Its downtown is walkable and full of character — locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, arts spaces, and shops that reflect the personality of a community proud of where it came from.
Mountain Maryland Trading Post is one of those places. Located at 60 Baltimore Street, a short walk from the Canal Place trailhead, MMTP is a modern general store built around the stories and makers of Western Maryland. Whether you’re looking for a meaningful souvenir, a hand-poured candle, a locally made gift to bring back home, or just want to talk to a Cumberland local who loves this town as much as you will, we’re glad you stopped in.
Before You Leave: Tips from the Trail
• Book lodging in Cumberland early: Trail season runs hard from April through October, and Cumberland’s trail-friendly hotels and B&Bs do fill up. Book well in advance, especially for weekends.
• Check trail conditions: The GAP maintains a trail conditions page at gaptrail.org. Flooding, maintenance closures, and seasonal issues are noted in real time.
• Ship your gear home: Several bike shops and pack-and-ship locations in Pittsburgh and Cumberland offer gear-forwarding services so you can fly home without checking a bike bag.
• Take the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad: If you end your trip in Cumberland, the scenic railroad offers a beautiful excursion into the mountains — a perfect way to spend the day before driving home.
• Spend a night (or two): Cumberland rewards slow exploration. The food scene is better than you expect. The Canal Place Heritage Area, Gordon Roberts History House, and the downtown arts corridor are worth an unhurried afternoon.
Come Find Us Before or After Your Ride
Mountain Maryland Trading Post is open Thursday and Friday 4–6 PM, Saturday 11 AM–4 PM, and Sunday 11–2 PM. We’re at 60 Baltimore Street in the heart of downtown Cumberland — walk from the trailhead, browse the shop, and take a piece of Mountain Maryland home with you.
You can also explore our full collection online at mtnmdtradingpost.com and follow us at @mtnmd_trading_post on Instagram and TikTok.
The trail is calling. We’ll be here when you arrive.