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.

October 2019
30 miles plus another walk up the hill to Frostburg. The trail to Frostburg is all uphill! Be aware. Great views. Had lunch in Frostburg at the Creamery - very good.

My friend and I rode this trail on November 1, 2019. What a great trail. We rode it end to end starting from the Newville parking area. Even after heavy rains the day before the trail was in great shape. Seemed to be slightly uphill riding towards Shippensburg but overall it was pretty flat with only mild dips and hills during road crossings. I would highly recommend this trail.

Love this trail and would like to see more roads with a parallel trail beside it at a safe distance from traffic.

Please Please Please, complete the Fairfax County Parkway trail by installing the trail north of Route 7 to Grandview Place. This is a very small section that is left without a path and forces cyclist and pedestrians into traffic.

Thanks

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.

First time at this trail. Went to Purcellville Saturday October 5 after riding Brunswick to Harpers Ferry. Lots of parking even for the big minivan. Heading East out of town the trail is smooth and flat following the power line right of way. Total ride was around 40 miles seemed easier going East. Many rest areas and food stops along my ride. Kind of cool but nice weather. Also 90 percent of the cars stopped to let me cross at the many intersections. Not used to this and strange ( I am from Ohio )