Great Allegheny Passage

There is just something about seeing the world from the seat of a bicycle that makes everything appear more open, refreshing, vibrant and accessible. And when that world is the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania awash in fall colors, it’s even more exhilarating.  

The heart of this breathtaking region is accessible via the Great Allegheny Passage, a gently graded, 150-mile trail that runs from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Cumberland, Maryland. The former train track turned rail trail takes explorers through stunning countryside, past historic mining sites,  over remarkable bridges, through awesome tunnels and past quaint small towns.  

To ride the route in real comfort, outfitters like Wilderness Voyageurs in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, rent out e-bikes for the journey. They take care of all the logistics, put riders up in local bed-and-breakfasts that serve amazing food and have a support vehicle full of snacks and other supplies following you along the way. Fall is an especially wonderful time to get out on the Great Allegheny Passage, with vibrant foliage enveloping riders from above while a crisp seasonal breeze keeps them cool. 

Some highlights along the route include the stunning Ohiopyle Falls, and views from the 101-foot-high Salisbury Viaduct. To cross the Eastern Continental Divide, riders pass through the 3,294-foot-long Big Salvage Tunnel and meet a gentle, sloping descent in the path as they cross into Cumberland. History buffs may also want to make a stop off the route to visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania.  

Peak foliage on the Great Allegheny Passage covers a broad time span due to changes in the trail’s elevation. The region around Frostburg, Maryland, generally peaks earliest, in early to mid-October, while areas around Pittsburgh peak later, in mid-to-late October, so plan your journey accordingly to get the best views of fall color in the region. To learn more about the Great Allegheny Passage, visit gaptrail.org. Wilderness Voyageurs: 103 Garrett St., Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania 15470, 800/272-4141, wilderness-voyageurs.com