Find the top rated dog walking trails in Cumberland, whether you're looking for an easy short dog walking trail or a long dog walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a dog walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We split it into two days. Pretty easy ride. A bit uphill until the ECD but not too bad being that it’s very gradual. Big time downhill into Cumberland after The Divide. Take time to stop in Ohiopyle, it’s worth the time and the Yough river is awesome there. They have a couple decent outfitters there and a good place to grab a bite to refuel. Continued on to DC after, four days total. Trail can be pretty “rooty” in places after meeting up with the Towpath.
I biked this trail on 8/30/2019 with a hybrid bicycle. I parked at the Elk's Club Trailhead parking lot off of S. Richard Street (Business 220) and biked southward to the southern terminus of the trail; Sweet Root Rd Trailhead. The Sweet Root Rd Trailhead is almost directly across from the Bedford Springs Resort and has adequate room for about 8 cars. The trail surface of this southern section of the trail is NOT your typical crushed limestone but a much courser sized stone. I did not have a problem with my hybrid bike, BUT one certainly does NOT want to be racing on this type of trail surface with narrow tires. A short distance from the Sweet Root Trailhead are some historical landmarks (The Miller House & the Water Mill) along with an artistic, metal trail marker and a trail bridge over Shobers Run Creek. Travelling north from the Sweet Root Trailhead, one will cross over Shobers Run Creek via a wooden decked bridge with metal sides. A short distance later, one will travel past a marsh-wetlands area on the west side of the trail and then travel over the marsh via a wooden decked bridge with metal sides. One will ascend over an asphalt Switch-back just prior to reaching the Elk's Club Trailhead. The picturesque Elk's club Golf Course is visible from the switchback. This southern gravel section of the trail dumps out on to Richard Street (Business 220) just north of the Elk's Club Entrance. At this point, one will share the road (going northbound) for .6 miles and make a sharp left turn on to the Fort Bedford Path at the south end of the road bridge over the Juniata River. If you end up going over the bridge that traverses over the Juniata River, you have gone too far. One will pass thru an opening in a fence that parallels Richard Street to gain access to the trail. This northern section of the trail is also known as "The Fort Bedford Path" and its surface is of the traditional crushed limestone type. Traveling westward on the trail, within a short distance from the entrance, one will pass the Reighard Dam over the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River (on one's right-north side of the trail) and Fort Bedford (on one's left-south side of the trail). This crushed limestone section of the trail only lasts for about .1 mile before it becomes an asphalt trail that parallels Fort Bedford Dr which becomes N West Street. When the N West Street makes a sharp left turn, the trail essentially ends and one is now travelling on the quiet street. The TrailLink.Com map has this trail terminating at the intersection of N West Street and Pitt Street. However, the map that is printed by the town of Bedford (Posted at the Sweet Root Trailhead Kiosk) leads the trail thru the business section of town and then back on to Richard Street. If one wishes to have a little bit of variety instead of taking the same route back to the Elk's club trailhead, then at the intersection of N West Street and Pitt Street turn left on to Pitt Street. By the way there is an operating vintage Art Deco Style Golf Station at the intersection of N West Street and Pitt Street. Continue travelling eastward on Pitt Street for about 3 blocks and then make a right on to Juliana Street. One will then travel southward on Juliana Street for 7 blocks and make a left on to Simpson Street. After traveling 2 blocks eastward on Simpson Street, turn right on to Richard Street (Business 220). Travel southward on Richard Street for over 2 blocks until one comes to the gravel section of the trail that parallels Elk's club golf course.
Some commentary: I found the vistas along the Elk's Golf course and along the Juniata River very picturesque. Also, thoroughly enjoyed the Art Deco Style Golf Gas station at the intersection of N West Street & Pitt Street. There was a LOT of traffic along Pitt Street and Juliana streets. The historic buildings, eateries, and other businesses along this street route were well kept. If one does not mind a little bit of traffic, I would recommend the street section (Described above) that takes one thru the historic business section as an alternative return route back to the Elk's club trailhead.
Camped 5 nice weather days in Ohiopyle State Park last week of Sept 2019. I rode alone, 1st day Steve (Wilderness Voyageurs) gave me very historically
informative shuttle to Meyersdale RT visitor center. Beautiful 41 mile 6hr slight downhill woodland bike back to Ohiopyle. 2nd day, drove my car and bike to West Newton RT visitor center, leaving car there overnight. Very slight uphill 42 mile wonderful bike trip back, leaving bike overnight at Wilderness Voyageurs, then 3/4 mile hike up steep trail to park campsite.
3rd day hiked trail down to get Wilderness Voyageurs shuttle to Point State Park in Pittsburg and 35 mile interesting bike back to my car in West Newton and drive back to campsite. 4th day I drove to Cumberland for Get Out&Play Outfitters' Tom's informative shuttle to Meyersdale. Then 32 downhill miles
of historic sites and tunnels. Was best RT bike trip of many I've done. Most
of the trail is beautiful woodland with constant river views and lots of historic signage. The small villages with RT visitor centers make for enjoyable rest stops; people are very pleasant and helpful. Would do the downhill Meyersdale to Cumberland (best part) on last day. You could do
the slight downhill from Meyersdale to Pittsburg first or just start in Pittsburg. The trail through McKeesport needs work. Had to ask in Pittsburg
where in Point State Park the GAP starts, not signed well. Also had to ask
which of the many Pittsburg bridges was the "Hot Metal Bridge" GAP crossing. You can't ride a bike from Ohiopyle State Park campground to
the trail, the car road is too narrow, busy and way too steep. The hike trail
is also too steep but you could push and pull your bike up and down it if you're young and very strong. There are a few campsites along the trail.
There are many nice B&Bs in the towns along the trail.
My overall feeling about the Great Allegheny Passage is, if you like rail trails,
you must do this one !
Excellent trail in fantastic shape and everything is well-maintained. Scenery varies nicely so that you have many different backdrops along the ride. We went north from Tatesville to the end and back and clocked 24+ miles. Excellent parking at the trail head!
Rode this trail Friday October 4 took canal towpath west until the second bridge connection and continued until the pave trail ended. Towpath was nice and dry but rough ( should have worn gloves ) Went back on paved Western Maryland Rail Trail. There were 2 gigantic parking lots which had no cars not sure if they are necessary but nice. The trail has grown longer since the last time I was here.
rode cumberland to pittsburgh rain on day one heavy fog day 2.
camped in connellsville day 1 then finnished at the point in pittsburgh,great ride. 6hrs on thursday 4hrs friday. 1st time on trail will not be the last.
flew in from arizona . cant wait for the next time,pittsburgh to dc.
Love the trail, but surface could use a little TLC though, many gravely spots for folks with three wheels on the ground.
Brings back a lot of childhood memories, I was always riding my bike on this trial, started the trial in West Newton, PA!!!
I enjoyed this trail so much! I can say we road to the 12.5 mile marker and it was paved all the way through. There was slight elevation, but not enough to notice. There were signs all along the way talking about the Rail Line and also mile markers every mile. There are some decent bumps in the pavement from tree roots growing under the trail but not enough to deter riders but sure does hurt your bum if you're talking and not expecting it! All in all, a lovely paved trail and I would drive 2 hours all over again just to ride it! Fair warning, the bathrooms at the Big Pool trailhead are a little bit like walking into a gas station bathroom off the beaten path...but I survived!
Excellent. Rode from Little Orleans to Hancock. Small area of gravel but mostly asphalt.
Rode from Cumberland to Frostburg and back. Uphill climb to Frostburg but reasonable, not strenuous. Easy downhill return to Cumberland. Excellent trail conditions. Beautiful scenery. One tunnel.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Map Search
