|
Explore the towns along the Great Allegheny Passage!
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.
Download a Trail Town map/brochure of Cumberland.
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.
Download a Trail Town map/brochure of Frostburg.
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.
Download a Trail Town map/brochure of Meyersdale.
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.
Download a Trail Town map/brochure of Rockwood.
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.
Download a Trail Town map/brochure of Confluence.
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.
Download a Trail Town map/brochure of Ohiopyle.
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.
Download a Trail Town map/brochure of Connellsville.
West Newton (Mile 114) – 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.
Download a Trail Town map/brochure of West Newton.
The South Side of Pittsburgh (Mile 146) – The closest of the trail towns to Pittsburgh. For more information check out their Facebook page.
Pittsburgh - Downtown (Mile 150) – Wrapped in rivers, intertwined with trails and packed with parks, Pittsburgh is popping with active possibilities. Bike, walk or rollerblade miles of riverfront trails, soaking in fantastic urban views. Bicycle rentals are available along the trail. Guided hikes offer another way to see the city. Pittsburgh boasts a lush and diverse landscape and is filled with endless recreational opportunities for every outdoor enthusiast, and it's the gateway city to The Ride of Your Life! ...a 335 mile off road, rail-trail biking experience from Pittsburgh to DC on the Great Allegheny Passasge and C&O Canal Towpath. It's one of America's best bike trips, where you will discover a nearly level trail along winding rivers, shaded valleys, and traditional small towns. You can plan your trip at VisitPittsburgh!
Looking for places to stay, dine, and visit while in the towns? Visit our overview map page for a listing of town amenities.
Please consider supporting businesses that are taking the extra step towards sustainability. Visit the Great Allegheny Passage Sustainable Business Network.
The Trail Town Program is an economic development initiative along The Great Allegheny Passage.
The Trail Town Program envisions a corridor of revitalized trailside communities along the Great Allegheny Passage that reap the economic benefits of trail-based tourism and recreation as part of a larger, coordinated approach to regional economic development. The long-term economic viability of participating communities is to be achieved through concentrated business development efforts that capitalize on the trail user market. The goals of the program are simple:
- Retain existing businesses.
- Expand and increase revenues of existing businesses.
- Recruit sustainable businesses.
- Adopt the Trail Town vision and integrate its concept of a visitor-friendly environment in community planning.
Additional information on the vision and goals of the Trail Town program can be found at www.trailtowns.org
|
