Day 1: Arrival/Orientation in Arlington, VA
Arrive on your own in Arlington, VA at our start point hotel by 4pm for the start of your C&O Canal & Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail adventure; 8-days of blissful riding with awesome scenery. Early arrivals (10am) can take a guided cycling tour of the National Mall in Washington, DC or do some sightseeing on your own. We’ll have an orientation meeting at our hotel, enjoy dinner, and call it a night before the riding starts in the morning.
Day 2: Arlington, VA to Brunswick, MD
Miles: 21-59 miles · Elevation: +1,117’ / -911'
Terrain: Paved and Gravel Bike Trails
Utilizing local bike trails, we’ll share the trail with joggers and bikers as we make our way along the Capital Crescent Trail to the C&O Canal Towpath trail (surveyed by George Washington). The towpath is a dirt and stone trail that parallels the Potomac River from Washington, DC to Cumberland, MD; 184.5 miles of mostly car-free cycling. As we leave the metro area we’ll quickly enter the Great Falls Park where the Potomac River crashes over boulders then into the wilder and more secluded areas of the trail. We’ll pop out at Brunswick, MD where coffee, pie, ice cream and small shops abound.
Day 3: Brunswick to Williamsport
Miles: 25-50 miles · Elevation: +723’ / -597’
Terrain: Gravel Trail, Paved Road
We’ll continue along the canal today with lots of opportunities to experience early American history. First is Harpers Ferry, West Virginia where John Brown, an abolitionist, helped spark the start of the American Civil War with his raid on the munitions depot. Harpers Ferry, at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers also saw the largest surrender of Union forces during the war. Two ride options today will allow some to continue along the canal while others take a detour through the towns of Sharpsburg and the Antietam National Battlefield; the location of the bloodiest one-day battle during the Civil War. Both groups will complete the day in Williamsport.
Day 4: Williamsport to Little Orleans
Miles: 30-46 miles · Elevation: +968’ / -750’
Terrain: Paved Road, Gravel Trail
We’ll dip our toes in pre-Revolutionary War history with a brief visit and tour of Fort Frederick State Park. Then onward along the paved surface of the Western Maryland Rail Trail into the town of Hancock where you can explore the bike shop or walk the streets of this quaint town. Finishing the paved surface, we will be back on the C&O Canal towpath riding through hardwood forests until we arrive at Little Orleans. An impressive short climb to our accommodations for the evening.We’ll have a local historian share with us the history of the area in which we are cycling.
Day 5: Little Orleans to Cumberland
Miles: 25-43 miles · Elevation: +597’ / -560’
Terrain: Gravel Trail
A special treat is in store for us today; the infamous Paw Paw Tunnel. This more than half-mile tunnel is lined with brick and took 14 years to construct between 1836 - 1850 and the delay was the ultimate reason the canal failed (the construction of the B&O Railroad was completed to Cumberland first). Continuing along the canal we will ride through the old town of Old Town and make our way to Cumbland, MD the “Queen City”. We’ll sample some treats at the Queen City Cravings, check out the local bicycle shop WheelzUp, and enjoy an indoor stay. Congratulations, we are at the half-way point of our journey; 184 miles and one trail complete; another 150 miles and one trail to go. Get ready for more spectacular cycling.
Day 6: Cumberland, MD to Confluence, PA
Miles: 32-62 miles · Elevation: +2,895’ / -2,191’
Terrain: Gravel Trail
Yesterday, we completed the C&O Canal Towpath. Today we begin the 150 mile Great Allegheny Passage trail with a gentle incline toward the Eastern Continental Divide. Along the way up the less than 2% grade we may see the steam or diesel engine from the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad alongside the trail. We’ll ride through the Borden, Brush and Big Savage (3300’) tunnels passing the Mason-Dixon Line between Maryland and Pennsylvania. Once we cross the divide, it will be easy riding toward Pittsburgh; but first we overnight along the river in Confluence, PA
Day 7: Confluence to West Newton
Miles: 27-53 miles · Elevation: +864’ / -1,416’
Terrain: Gravel Trail
We’ll continue our slight downhill journey along the Youghiogheny River as we pass through Ohiopyle State Park with its gorgeous high bridges and waterfalls. Some may want to take a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater architectural masterpiece (we offer a shuttle) or enjoy an ice cream at a local venue. We’ll see some of the most spectacular scenery of the trip today. Our accommodations are just a stone's throw from West Newton; a place where eateries and live music abound.
Day 8: West Newton to Pittsburgh
Miles: 20-36 miles · Elevation: +812’ / -858’
Terrain: Gravel Trail, Paved Road
Van transfer: 5 hour bus back to DC for those needing to return to DC
Today is the last day of our grand adventure. We’ll complete the GAP Trail at “The Point”, Point State Park in Pittsburgh.The park sits at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers. During the day we will ride toward McKeesport where the Youghiogheny and Monongahela Rivers converge and into more and more urban riding. After completing the trail, those returning to Arlington will board a bus for the journey home; others will depart from Pittsburgh; all with the memory of the past 8 days, the friends that we met, the history that we experienced, and the joy of nearly 100% care-free riding.
