Some facts and rules about the Great Allegheny Passage of Maryland 

Trail is Complete

Mountain Maryland Trails (Formerly The Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland) has completed its section of the trail.

Elevation

The elevation at Cumberland, Maryland is 625 feet. The elevation at the PA/MD state line is 2250 feet. The Total climb consists of 1625 feet over 21 miles.

Difficulty

Because this portion of the trail’s original use was as a rail line, the average grade of the trail is just 1.5%. There are no steep climbs, and if you ride from west to east it’s down hill all the way!

Trail Surface

The trail is mostly surfaced and packed with crushed limestone, with some short sections paved. This surface is suitable for all types of bicycle, from mountain bikes to road bikes, with the exception fo the lightest racing road bike.Trail

Rules

1. No motorized vehicles except wheelchairs.
2. Bicyclists and horse riders should wear helmets.
3. Keep right, except to pass.
4. Warn before passing—sound your bell or horn and announce audibly "Passing on your left."
5. Bicyclists yield to walkers/hikers.
6. Equestrians are allowed only on the section from Frostburg to the MD/PA line.
Please keep horses off the improved hiker/biker surface. Stay on the grass.
7. Trail open daily, dawn to dusk. No overnight use, excepted in authorized areas. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more.
8. Stay on trail.
9. No fires.
10. Keep pets on a short leash, under control, and pet waste off the trail.
11. Do not discharge or carry loaded firearms on or near the trail.
12. Please respect private property and stay on the trail.
13. Dumping and littering are prohibited. If you see litter, please pick it up.
14. Permits are required for any special group event of twenty or more.

Great Allegheny Passage Recommended Rides

1. Start your trip with an overnight stay in Cumberland and enjoy our Friday After Five outdoor music, dining, and activities on the Downtown Cumberland Mall. Depart Saturday on a ride with your bike on the Westrn Maryland Scenic Railroad from Cumberland to Frostburg. Once in Frostburg, visit the historic town then depart and enjoy a leisurely 15-mile downhill ride back to Cumberland. Enjoy the Saturday Live Concert at Canal Place and shop the historical shops along Baltimore Street.
2. Start in Frostburg for a 12-mile roundtrip to see the 3200 foot Big Savage Tunnel, the Mason Dixon Line, and scenic vistas atop the mountain. Finish with a nice lunch and shopping in Historic Frostburg and head back home.
3. Ride the C&O Canal Towpath from Cumberland to the 3118 foot Paw Paw tunnel, 35 miles away. Bike back to Cumberland or have one of our fine shuttle services bring you back. Make sure you stop and enjoy lunch at the Schoolhouse Kitchen in Oldtown.  
4. Shuttle to the Eastern Continental Divide to the highest point of the trail and ride the 24 miles downhill to Cumberland. Pass through the Big Savage Tunnel and over the Mason Dixon Line. Make sure to stop in Historic Frostburg. Continue downhill into Cumberland and enjoy night life on the Downtown Pedestrian Nall.
5. Ride from Cumberland to Frostburg alongside the steam engine of the Scenic Railroad. This is the only place along the trail to experience rail with trail. Come see for yourself where transportation of old meets with new.
6. Best of both Trails - Start in Cumberland and head up the Great Allegheny Passage 6 miles to Brush Tunnel, experience Hemstetters' Horseshoe Curve and The Narrows. Head back to Cumberland and onto the C&O Canal and see Evitts Creek Aqueduct and several locks depending on how far you want to go.

Short Versions

1. Catch the Train Taxi in Cumberland ride with your bike to Frostburg and enjoy the 15-mile downhill ride back to Cumberland.
2. Frostburg to Big Save Tunnel (12-mile roundtrip). Scenic vistas, Mason Dixon Line, 3200 foot tunnel.
3. C&O Towpath to Paw Paw Tunnel, 35 miles one way
4. Eastern Continental Divide, highest point on the Trail, to Cumberland, 24 miles downhill
5. Cumberland to Frostburg with trail, 15 miles
6. Cumberland to Brush Tunnel through the Narrows and around Helmstetters' Horseshoe Curve back to Cumberland, 12 miles roundtrip, and then onto the C&O Canal and ride on the historical Towpath until your heart is content.  

What to do when encountering wildlife along theTrail

Maryland is home to many diverse species of wildlife. Wildlife viewing opportunities are plentiful but please remember to keep Maryland's wildlife wild. Always maintain a safe distance between you and any wild animal. Never feed or approach wildlife. Most people, with the best of intentions, do not realize that by handling, caring or interfering with wild animals you may actually be doing more harm than good. For more information on Maryland's wildlife please visit www.dnr.maryland.gov or call 410-260-8540. To report a natural resources violation or a wildlife emergency, please call 410-260-8888.