One of the nation’s most popular rail trails, the Great Allegheny Passage, sometimes referred to as The Cumberland and Pittsburgh Trail, begins in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, then crosses the border into Maryland, eventually ending in Washington, D.C. The 320-mile journey from Pittsburgh to the end of the trail makes it the longest unpaved bike path in the East Coast. Crushed limestone offers a smooth surface for bikers, hikers, runners and cross country skiers to experience all the natural beauty between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.

 including picturesque peaks, rolling pastures, rushing streams, river gorges, and a host of railroad bridges and tunnels. 

The final 6.5-mile link stretching along the Monongahela River from Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh was completed in 2013. The portion officially named the Great Allegheny Passage stretches 147 miles from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland, where it picks up the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath for the rest of the trip. In 2012, National Geographic chose the Great Allegheny Passage as one of the "Top 10 2012 Fall Trips," and CNN named it as the Pennsylvania representative in "50 States, 50 Spots for 2014."
 

Tips for Traveling the Great Allegheny Passage

• Because rail traffic required shallow grades, inclines on the Great Allegheny Passage are always less than 2 percent. The average grade is less than 1%.
   
• If you plan to only ride the portion between Pittsburgh and Cumberland, considering beginning your trip on the Cumberland end. This gets the bulk of the climbing out of the way the first day—nearly 25 miles to its highest point just past the Big Savage Tunnel. If you don't mind cheating, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad parallels the trail, and offers rides, with bicycles if desired, 16 miles up the mountain to Frostburg.
   

• The Big Savage Tunnel near Cumberland, MD, is closed for the winter months, usually December 1 through early April. There is a road detour around the tunnel, but it's not a great ride during the winter months either.
   
• Whether you are headed to Pittsburgh or D.C., it's all downhill from the Eastern Continental Divide, the highest point along the Great Allegheny Passage. Prior to 1760, the divide represented the boundary between British and French colonial possessions in North America. 
• The Great Allegheny Passage website includes a lot of great information to help you plan your trip. Don't miss the page of Trip Reports of people who have shared their trail experiences. And check the Great Allegheny Passage Facebook page for the latest news, closures, and events.