Learn More. An engineering feat of its own, the Great Wall breaches the gap between the South Side and Homestead to ferry trail users onward to Pittsburgh. A new liner and drainage system were installed, as well as lighting. Next is the Pinkerton Tunnel, restored in 2015. Located near mile marker 23 on what is now the Great Allegheny Passage hiking/biking trail in Somerset County, Pennsylvania lies the structural marvel which is the Big Savage Tunnel. I especially liked the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), which had a good surface of crushed gravel and a 23 mile downhill. Biking Trails, Hiking Trails. The forested canopy and small town life of the GAP offers relaxed cycling to invigorate the senses and unplug from your cares. You will pass through Pittsburgh’s Southside, Homestead, McKeesport, Boston, West Newton, Connellsville, Ohiopyle, Confluence, Rockwood, Meyersdale, … Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail. Tunnel on Great Allegheny Passage Location Somerset County, Pennsylvania Status Open to pedestrians only History Buil 1911, Railroads - Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (BO) - Chessie System Railroads (CSRR) - Western Maryland Railway (WM) Design Tunnel Dimensions Span length: 3,295.0 ft. (0.6 mi.) The image below, from the State Museum in Harrisburg, is what drivers would have seen approaching the tunnel from Breezewood in the … The 10-foot-wide multipurpose trail is built on railroad corridors constructed to heavy-duty standards of gentle grades, sweeping curves and major bridges and tunnels … The historic Great Allegheny Passage isn’t just a path through the woods. The 10-foot-wide multipurpose trail is built on railroad corridors constructed to heavy-duty standards of gentle grades, sweeping curves and major bridges and tunnels … Together, the GAP and the C&O Towpath give 335 miles of biking or hiking through mostly rural landscapes with twenty or so small breweries along the way. The Mason-Dixon line was neat and the views … Or from Cumberland to Pittsburgh, depending on which way you decide to go. It's a "must visit" destination for cyclists, hikers, nature lovers or anyone looking for a safe and superlative outdoor experience. We rode the portion of the Great Allegheny Passage from Frostburg to the Eastern Continental Divide. The closest official trail head to the Big Savage Tunnel is located at Deal, with plenty of parking spots and restroom facilities located there. Beginning where the “three rivers” meet in downtown Pittsburgh, the trail meanders alongside the Monongahela and out into the city’s industrial suburbs, once the nation’s top destination for coal and coke barons of the early 1900s. Read Part One: Pittsburgh to Connellsville and Part Two: Connellsville to Confluence.If you’re planning your trip on the trail, don’t miss my top tips for those biking the GAP.. Sleep Inn & Suites-Cumberland. | Photo by Milo Bateman. Famagogo - Bike-Packing the C&O Canal Towpath. Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail Almost 44 to 50-Rockwood to Markleton. The Great Allegheny Passage (gaptrail.org) is a host trail for the 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail™, a developing cross-country route connecting Washington, D.C., and Washington State, and featuring some of America’s most iconic landmarks.. As Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) and partners work to complete the Great … [4], The tunnel was renovated for use on the Great Allegheny Passage trail. Kentucky Cycling. The Great Allegheny Passage connects riders with the hidden gems of Pennsylvania’s countryside, as well as its industrial past. It is rich in history. There, the Great Allegheny Passage connects with the C&O Canal towpath, extending all the way to the Georgetown district of Washington, D.C. for a total length of 334.5 miles. The GAP trail moves you from … Public and private … The mountain and tunnel are named for John Savage, an early surveyor who narrowly avoided becoming a victim of cannibalism in the area in 1736. Learn More. 234 Reviews #1 of 29 things to do in Cumberland. Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail 1 to 5 ish-Cumberland, MD to Cash Valley Road Parking Area. The tunnel is illuminated, but a headlamp and tail light are still good ideas from a safety standpoint. The Inn on Decatur. Ride a day, a weekend, or a bike vacation on one of longest rail-trails in the USA. Completed in 2013, the GAP links to the 185-mile C&O Canal Towpath in Cumberland and provides a non-motorized, nearly level trail between Washington, DC and Pittsburgh, PA. 11K views. Although most of the rails to trails we ride in PA are asphalt, the ride here is mostly smooth stone (crushed limestone). TripAdvisor Traveller Rating. Highs and Lows on the Colorado Trail - A Bikepacking Story. A Top Hiking/Biking Destination in the Laurel Highlands. For the purposes of the article I am going to describe a relatively short out and back hiking/biking excursion for those that want to do a simple day trip specifically to see the Big Savage Tunnel. The Great Allegheny Passage has wonderful sites to see and a great place to be alone or with family during the COVID-19. © 2020 Rusty Glessner / PA Bucket List. In an act of almost unbelievable selflessness, John Savage offered to become the “provisions” his team needed to survive. You can ride a switchback up the hill to the train depot and watch the cool turntable. The 10-foot-wide multipurpose trail is built on railroad corridors constructed to heavy-duty standards of gentle grades, sweeping curves and major bridges and tunnels … It was a … The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) is a trail from Cumberland, Maryland to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I loved biking through the lush forests, seeing local birds and animals. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. We should all be grateful that the rails-to-trails movement has preserved and repurposed so many of these historic structures. It slowed us down a little but we had the whole day to waste. This is the longest tunnel on the trail at more than 3,300 feet long. GAP Trail: Riding the Great Allegheny Passage. It is little wonder that this section of the Great Allegheny Passage is especially busy in the month of October, as the mountain ridges are ablaze with color. It was originally built for the Connellsville subdivision of the Western Maryland Railway. The Great Allegheny Passage further connects with the C&O Canal towpath, which extends all the way to the Georgetown district of Washington, D.C., for a total length of 334.5 miles. And I recently … These two historic trails connect the forks of the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the tidewater of the Potomac in Washington D.C, with 335 miles of scenic, car-free, and nearly level riding. The Great Allegheny Passage is a 150 mile rail trail spanning from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Cumberland, Maryland. The Official Guide to Traveling the C&O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage. It consists of several smaller trails including the Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland, the Allegheny Highlands Trail of Pennsylvania and the Youghiogheny River Trail. My favorite section was the 34 miles nearest Cumberland: Viaducts, Tunnels, Bridges, the Eastern Continental Divide, views, and more! GAP - BoWest Bridge (Fayette County, Pennsylvania) Built 1916, Converted for pedestrian use 1994 Through truss bridge over Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad on Great Allegheny Passage Open to pedestrians only. During the 148 mile journey, you go through 4 tunnels, 12 inspiring bridges, and through many friendly trail towns. At 2,390 feet above sea level, this is also the highest point on the Great Allegheny Passage. But for me it was the worst and the best. Learn More. The 3,294 foot long tunnel was a critical link in that rail line, until the entire line was abandoned in 1975. The longest of these 4 tunnels would be the Big Savage Tunnel (the other 3 tunnels were the Borden, Brush, and Pinkerton tunnels). One popular adventure along The Great Allegheny Passage segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail is a ride through the Big Savage Tunnel onto the Eastern Continental Divide. In April of 1910 the 87 mile long “Connellsville Extension” construction project was begun, and 4 tunnels would be needed to make the rail line connection possible. Deer are also a frequent sight on and along the Great Allegheny Passage (see above), especially early or late in the day. Just a quick lyrical glimpse of the several recaps to come over the next few days from our July 2018 adventure biking the Great Allegheny Passage! Inspiring the Great American Rail-Trail. The approach to the Big Savage Tunnel is like something out of a Tolkien novel, with the long tunnel disappearing into the massive mountain like the hall of a Dwarven King. Great Allegheny Passage: TUNNELS areBEST part - See 234 traveler reviews, 244 candid photos, and great deals for Cumberland, MD, at Tripadvisor. While he was surveying the land in the wintertime, the circumstances became dire and he offered himself up as food, but the rest of the survey party declined. The Big Savage Tunnel is a formerly abandoned railway tunnel located about 9 miles (14 km) southeast of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. Great Allegheny Passage. Wide and smooth the trail is on old railroads with no grades more than 2%. At 0.67 miles long, the Rays Hill Tunnel was the shortest of the 7 original Pennsylvania Turnpike Tunnels.. You enter the Rays Hill Tunnel from Bedford County in the west, and emerge in Fulton County to the east. Planning resources for cycling the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal and the largest selection of trail apparel. This article is part two in a three-part guide to biking the Great Allegheny Passage. The historic Great Allegheny Passage isn’t just a path through the woods. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Biking Trails, Hiking Trails. We rode the portion of the Great Allegheny Passage from Frostburg to the Eastern Continental Divide. In addition to weather, the main reason for this is the Big Savage Tunnel, which closes from roughly mid-December through mid-April. Video clips taken along the Great Allegheny Passage bike path between the Brush Tunnel and Canal Place in Cumberland, MD. The Big Savage Tunnel is closed from November through April, but in warm weather it’s an easy, pleasing bicycle ride for people of all biking … Thirty bridges and trestles, and four tunnels, can be found along the route of the Great Allegheny Passage (gaptrail.org). Get the full experience and book a tour. Borden Tunnel, abandoned rail tunnel, 1911, 957 feet long, Western Maryland Railway north of Frostburg, now part of Great Allegheny Passage rail trail Brush Tunnel , active tourist rail tunnel and rail trail , 1911, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (formerly Western Maryland Railway ), west of Corriganville , also now part of Great Allegheny Passage rail trail The Great Allegheny Passage is a 150-mile trail that leads you beneath leafy green canopy and dazzling fall colors, past hidden waterfalls and glens, chasing glimpses of the river beside you. Great Allegheny Passage Trail is a 146.2 mile heavily trafficked point-to-point trail located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that features a river and is rated as moderate. What are the rental bikes like? It was originally built for the Connellsville subdivision of the Western Maryland Railway. Located near mile marker 23 on what is now the Great Allegheny Passage hiking/biking trail in Somerset County, Pennsylvania lies the structural marvel which is the Big Savage Tunnel. It was a slight uphill journey but a very interesting one. Places Nearby. Use Bikabout's cultural guide and map for a slow … You have entered an incorrect email address! The Big Savage Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the Great Allegheny Passage. It is lit inside, but portions can be dark. Chosen by National Geographic as one of the "Top Fall Trips In The World," the Great Allegheny Passage winds through Maryland’s mountains and along Wills Creek, giving bicyclists, hikers, and cross-country skiers some of the most majestic views in the east. I had so much fun that I did it again in 2014, with my co-worker friend and her dad. The first point of interest is the Pinkerton Tunnel and its two trestles. For me, this was a chance to sample … 33:24. Rusty Glessner is an award-winning photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and creator of the PA Bucket List travel and adventure guide. Moving on from the Eastern Continental Divide towards the Big Savage Tunnel, be on the lookout for wildlife great and small. Great Allegheny Passage – Overview. If mountain vistas are your thing, be sure to check out “The 10 Best Scenic Overlooks in the Laurel Highlands” for directions to ALL the best views in the area! The Salisbury Viaduct is another amazing engineering marvel along the Great Allegheny Passage, and is roughly 10 miles north of the Big Savage Tunnel. The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) is a 150-mile trail that leads you beneath leafy green canopy and dazzling fall colors, past hidden waterfalls and glens, chasing glimpses of the river beside you. Show directions from Big Savage Tunnel (west entrance) to But as luck would have it they were rescued before this drastic measure was taken. Although most of the rails to trails we ride in PA are asphalt, the ride here is mostly smooth stone (crushed limestone). The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) is a 150-mile multiple use rail-trail system between Cumberland, MD and Pittsburgh, PA. The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) is an iconic rail-trail that runs 150 miles from Cumberland, Maryland, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was built in partnership between state agencies and many local trail groups and volunteers. [3], The mountain and tunnel are named for John Savage, an early surveyor who narrowly avoided becoming a victim of cannibalism in the area in 1736. The Savage name, incidentally, is not a reference to Native Americans, but rather an 18th century surveyor named John Savage, who led a surveying expedition in that area in 1736-1737. The tunnel, located about a mile south of Markleton, is only 800 feet long. Whether you’re biking the Great Allegheny Passage from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland, or Cumberland to Pittsburgh, the … 35 miles – Downtown Pittsburgh ’ s also the highest point on the for... You ’ ll reach Big Savage Tunnel is a 957-foot unlighted Tunnel restored in 2015 ’ t just a through. Crushed gravel surface makes the GAP offers relaxed cycling to invigorate the senses and from. Hike/Bike trip cluster of houses and a Great Place to be alone or family. 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