The
Cumberland to Pittsburgh Bike Trail
General
This site describes a 135 mile bike trail from Cumberland in the
Maryland panhandle to Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania as of September
1998. The trail is not yet finished. The entire trail follows an old
railroad bed, from which the rails and sleepers have already been
removed. Consequently, the trail is rather flat with one major
exception as explained below. It consists of several parts,
administered by different authorities. For practical purposes,
however, it is one single trail. Nevertheless, it may be useful to
distinguish two different parts, namely:
- The Allegheny Highlands Trail from Cumberland, MD to
Confluence, PA, along the Casselman River, which is about 45
miles long, and
- The Yough River trail from Confluence, PA to Pittsburgh, PA
along the Youghiogheny River, for some 90 miles.
There are three unfinished sections, namely from:
- Cumberland to Meyersdale (about 20 miles),
- Markleton to Confluence (7 miles),
- Boston to Pittsburgh (19 miles).
However, these are not necessarily an obstacle to riding the trail
from finish to end as explained below. This site describes the
condition of the trail on September 25, 1998, starting at Cumberland
and finishing at downtown Pittsburgh.
The trail starts at the place where the beautiful 182 mile long
Washington D.C.-Cumberland trail on the tow path of the canal along
the Potomac River ends. Details about this trail can be found in http://www.tidalwave.net/~gmumma/canal.97.html
or http://www.fred.net/kathy/canal.html
and other sites. This trail makes (certainly when finished, but for
the more adventurous already now) for a nice trail from Washington,
DC to Pittsburgh.
The trail consists over its entire length of compacted sand. This
makes for smooth riding although it requires some harder pushing of
the pedals when moist or wet. The trail surroundings are rather
uniform. Beautiful woods with a nice river on the side. Most of the
trail runs on the left bank of the Casselman and Youghiogheny
Rivers, although for short stretches it runs on the right bank.
The distances given here are approximate. Precise measurements
have not been made.
Overall Topography
Cumberland is located on the Potomac, which is, by definition, the
lowest point in the area (except in the upstream direction). When
heading northwest for Pittsburgh, away from the Potomac, one has to
cross two mountains: Little Savage Mountain and Big Savage Mountain.
These are actually mountain ridges and therefore difficult to
circumvent. The climb is over about 15 miles from Cumberland at 605
feet to a high point of some 2550 feet at the Eastern Continental
Divide (ECD) near the very small village of Deal. From there, the
ride all the way to Pittsburgh is downward, except for some terrain
undulations and overpasses. The trip to the ECD represents a climb
of about 2.5 percent on average. The ride from the ECD to
Pittsburgh (at some 800 feet) is downward with an average
slope of -0.3 percent or 16 feet per mile.
Cumberland - Meyersdale
When this section will be finished in the year 2000, it will from
Cumberland to Frostburg run along an active railroad used only by a
tourist train. From there it will continue over the abandoned rail
bed to Meyersdale. Somewhere on the way, it will pass through a
tunnel at about 2250 feet, cutting some 300 feet from the climb.
Right now, one has to cross the Big and Little Savage Mountains
by road. The climb is gradual without much slope variation with one
exception. When arriving at the high point at Pleasant Union, one
has to descend from the top of Big Savage Mountain into the valley
and then ride up again to the pass at Little Savage Mountain. The
downhill portion slopes at 12% over perhaps three-quarters of a
mile. The uphill portion at the other side of the valley is equally
steep and long. The trip from Cumberland, MD to the summit is
perhaps 15 miles and from there to Meyersdale another 5 miles.
Although it requires some effort to bike this section, it can be
done, even though it may involve walking one's bike over some
stretches. To do so from the end of the Washington D.C. - Cumberland
towpath, go west on Route 41 for a few miles to Route 36. This is a
narrow busy road with lots of traffic. Turn right on Route 36 South.
This may be confusing, since the road is obviously heading north.
The explanation is that Route 36 is crescent shaped and curves to
the north with its point in a east-west direction. You'll be heading
north at the eastern point. From here on the roads will be pleasant
and less crowded. Continue to Route 47 and turn right. At
Wellersburg take Route 160, which will lead you over the Savage
Mountains. Once, you have crossed these, continue for about 2.5
miles and turn left at the cemetery to the village of Deal. From
there, the road to Meyersdale is pretty evident. There are several
forks in the road. Always take the road on the right and stay to the
right of the creek that is running along the road until you arrive
at a T intersection with a sign pointing to Meyersdale.
At Meyersdale, there is a motel and a hotel (perhaps **): Hotel
Central (814-634-5413) and Donges Drive Inn (814-634-5710). Both ask
$ 28 for a double room. No credit cards. There may or may not be a
campground in the area.
Meyersdale - Markleton
At present, the trail starts one mile north of Meyersdale, just past
a spectacular bride over Route 219 and the Casselman River. The
bridge, when finished, will carry the trail and only the trail. It
is now under repair, but should be ready before the end of 1998. The
trail is not easily accessible at the north end of the bridge.
However, it can be done. To do this, take the first blacktop road to
the left after you pass the overpass of the Route 219 bypass under
construction. It is a dead-end road that services a few houses on
its side. After about 1.5 miles, there will be a gravel road on the
left that leads to a field at the other side of the trail. Take it.
The trail is about 100 yards away. Alternatively, you can go to the
end of the road, go under the old railroad underpass and immediately
turn right on the access road to the trail. At that point there is a
gate you will have to worm yourself around. It is easier to take the
gravel road.
If you don't want to search for the above trail
access point, start at the trail head at Garrett (picture at right),
which is some 4 miles north of Meyersdale. It is clearly
marked. From there the 14 mile ride to Markleton is a pleasure. The
trail extends for another 2 miles or so beyond Markleton. This
section ends just past the railroad tunnel and two beautiful bridges
(on either side of the tunnel) over the Casselman River. The tunnel
cannot be used at this moment , but there is a detour of about a
mile that brings you to the other end. The bridges are brand new.
However, the trail formally ends here and there is no outlet, so if
you don't want to continue (see next section) you'll have to return
to Markleton. There is no sign at the Markleton trail access point
saying that this is a dead-end section.
Markleton - Confluence
At the end of the bridge at the other side of the tunnel there is
a sign saying: "End of Trail". It does not say that you
cannot continue. If you continue, you'll find the first two miles a
breeze. Work is under way at this section and the trail has been
cleared, although the trail bed has not yet been improved.
Nevertheless it is easy going until you come to a road. The old rail
bed continues at the other side. Over the next four miles, it has
not been improved in any way, but a new trail bridge is already in
place near the end of this section. Nevertheless, it is very
bikeable with a hybrid bike and 1.25" or wider tires. At places
the rail bed is overgrown and can only be passed by bike or on foot.
Here you are really off the beaten path and chances are you'll see
wildlife. Keep on pedaling and eventually you'll come to another
road. The distance to the outskirts of Confluence is now about one
mile. Cross the road and continue on the old rail bed. Biking is
easier from here on. There are a few other roads to cross (and an
embankment to climb to cross one), but the way to Confluence is
clear as long as one clings to the old rail bed.
Eventually, you will come to Route 281 and the bridge over the
Youghiogheny River. At the other side is the access to the dam
across the river, a lake and camping facilities. It is worth
spending some time here. There is a hotel in town: Dodds Hotel
(814-395-3889); no rating available.
Confluence - Boston, PA
Immediately after the Youghiogheny River bridge take the asphalt
road to the right. After a short ride there is the trail head of the
Youghiogheny River Trail (picture at
right). The trail is finished for the next 70 miles. The Dawson to
Smithton section was opened in August 1998. The ride is a pleasure,
all the way. There is sufficient motel accommodation available along
the way, but campgrounds are not in evidence, except at Ohiopyle.
The trail passes through the Ohiopyle State Park and it is worth
spending some time in Ohiopyle, which is its center of activity for
hiking, biking, boating, white water rafting and fishing. There are
camping facilities. There is also a 
youth hostel, a motel that rents rooms at $ 85/night and a general
store (picture at left), which has 5 rooms to rent for $ 35/night.
The rooms at the store are very nice with a modern t.v.. Although
the rooms have no private baths, there are two large, clean and well
equipped bathrooms in the corridor. The store has no place to store
bikes, however, so one has to carry them to the room or chain them
to a pole on the street.
Boston - downtown Pittsburgh
The trail extends about 1.5 miles beyond Boston, where it ends
without an outlet. Again, there is no warning at Boston, that the
coming trail section has a dead end.
To continue to Pittsburgh, one must leave the trail at Boston at
the bridge over the Youghiogheny River. Cross the bridge. For the
next 10 miles or so until you reach Duquesne (pronounced Ducaine),
you will be on the right bank of the river. Keep your eyes open for
Duquesne; there you will cross the river again to the left bank. The
route is initially over Walnut Street, then Lysle Boulevard. In the
area where these two roads meet, the Youghiogheny River flows into
the Monongahela River. Whatever the name, stick to the river, but
don't cross it before Duquesne. There, one has to take a series of
overpasses. Keep the eyes fixed on Duquesne and you will find
yourself again on the left bank.
Once in Duquesne, the next target is the suburb of Homestead,
which is roughly 7 miles away. Be careful. You will need the third
bridge to cross the river into Pittsburgh. This is the Glenwood
Bridge on Route 885, at the end of 7th Avenue. Look out on the
bridge for the joints; these are so wide that a bike wheel can
easily get stuck in them. It is perhaps better to take the bridge
walkway, but in that case beware of broken glass.
The bridge leads to 2nd Avenue. Follow it for a few miles
(perhaps 2) until you see an underpass to the left. Take it.
Immediately after the underpass there is a road to the right with a
sign that says: "Trail Access". Go there. Surprise! This
is the beginning of the 2 mile Elisa Furnace Trail into downtown
Pittsburgh. It was completed in June 1998. It has an asphalt surface
and ends under the Liberty Bridge. Consider this the end of your
ride.
It is not easy to find inexpensive lodging in downtown
Pittsburgh. The Allegheny Branch of the YMCA (412-321-8594) has
rooms, but to get these, one generally has to make an advance
reservation. The least expensive downtown hotel is probably the
Ramada Inn (412-281-5800), but the price would be at least $95. They
have big rooms, though, a wonderful exercise room and a swimming
pool. With up to four to a room, this might still be within reach.
Away from downtown, there is more choice. In Allentown there is the
Pittsburgh International Hostel (412-431-1267 or 412-431-4910).
Contacts
Allegheny Visitors Bureau (1-800-508-4748) for the
Maryland part of the Allegheny Highlands Trail. Website: http://www.mdmountainside.com
Somerset County Chamber of Commerce (814-445-6431) for the
Pennsylvania part of the Allegheny Highlands Trail. E-mail: somchmbr@shol.com
Web site: http://www.shol.com/smrst/somrst.htm
Ohiopyle State Park (412-329-8591) for the southern part
of the Youghiogheny River Trail. Website: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Regional Trail Corporation (412-872-5586) for the northern
part of the Youghiogheny River Trail. Web site: http://www.YoughRiverTrail.com
