Itinerary

Day 0: Arrival in Pittsburgh

On Day 0 (the day before the tour starts), guests either fly into Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and shuttle to the designated meeting hotel (Uber or Lyft) Or drive to the designated meeting hotel. Guests are on-their-own for accommodations this evening either at the designated meeting hotel, or at other nearby hotels. Guests are on-their-own for dinner this evening and there are many restaurants within walking distance from the hotel.

Day 1: Pittsburgh to Ohiopyle

We will meet very early to depart from the meeting hotel as today will be a long day in the saddle. Shuttling from the hotel to downtown Pittsburgh and the beginning of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), we officially start the tour from Point State Park where two great rivers – the Allegheny and the Monongahela – meet to form the mighty Ohio River.
From here we embark on our 5-day journey by riding on the Three River Heritage Trail which soon meets up with the Great Allegheny Passage.
Continuing southeast along the GAP we slowly shed the urban setting and paved sections of the trail to hit the gravel and enjoy the ever increasing remoteness. Our support team will meet up with the riders at designated points to keep the group hydrated and fed.
After making our way past Connellsville, Pennsylvania, we encounter the stunning beauty of ancient growth trees and immense ravines as we enter Ohiopylo State Park.
The ride ends in the small town of Ohiopyle with a check into our accommodations. Guests are on their own this evening for dinner at one of the many establishments in Ohiopyle.
Distance: 78 miles +2155 ft / – 1650 ft

Day 2: Ohiopyle to Cumberland

Back on the trail we again experience the magnificent old growth forests while also enjoying the smooth limestone surface of the GAP. Today’s ride on the GAP is through some of the most remote areas along the trail and it offers notable landmarks. Such as the Salisbury Viaduct (nearly 2,000′ feet long and 100′ above the Casselman River Valley), the Pinkerton Tunnel, the Eastern Continental Divide and finally passage through the 3,300′ long Big Savage Tunnel which rewards with a fantastic view of the Allegheny Mountains immediately after exiting the eastern terminus.
From top of Savage Mountain it’s then a 23 mile fast and cruisy descent to the small town of Cumberland, Maryland where the GAP trail ends and tomorrow the C&O Canal trail begins. After rolling into town we’ll check into to our accommodations for the night and head out for a well deserved dinner in downtown Cumberland.
Distance: 72 miles + 2710 ft / -3320 ft

Day 3: Cumberland to Hancock

Departing from Cumberland, today will be a transition day as we join the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (aka: C&O Canal) for the remainder of our journey. The two trails are quite different and the smooth gravel surface of the GAP is replaced by the more rugged dual-track of the C&O Canal tow path trail which can become challenging in wet conditions.
After leaving Cumberland behind we soon find ourselves in very remote country with zero cell reception – perfect for that digital detox!
Midway through the day we encounter the Paw Paw Tunnel, 3,200′ of utter darkness with a narrow trail along with the canal – bring a headlight as you will certainly need it!
After the Paw Paw Tunnel we continue our meandering ride along the C&O Canal eventually reaching our goal of Hancock, Maryland. Guests are on their own for dinner this evening in Hancock, but we highly recommend Buddyluo’s Eats Drinks & Antiques.
Distance: 60 miles +675 ft / -875 ft

Day 4: Hancock to Harpers Ferry

Departing Hancock, today’s route to Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia offers a continued ride through history passing many old locks and lock tender houses. Soon after Hancock there is an opportunity to visit Fort Frederick a star fort that was active in the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War.
We will stop at Williamsport, Maryland to enjoy lunch adjacent to the large turn basin and if there is time, perhaps take a short ride on the recently restored canal boat.
From Williamsport, we continue south and encounter the “Big Slackwater” area of the C&O Canal where the trail is carved into the high cliff sides and augmented by concrete ramps and wooden bridges extending into the Potomac River.
At the end of the day we reach our destination of Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia for lodging and enjoy a relaxed post-ride dinner in one of the many historic downtown restaurants.
Distance: 64 miles +640 ft / -785 ft

Day 5: Harpers Ferry to Washington

It’s the final day of our gravel adventure and our final push back to civilization. Departing Harper’s Ferry we rejoin the C&O Canal enjoying the slow, gradual descent to our destination of Washington, D.C.
We again pass more historic lock tender houses where some of them have been restored and are available to rent year round.
Nearing Washington we encounter Great Falls which presents some of the most rugged waters along the Potomac River and which has become a destination for white water kayakers and other adventure seekers.
We finally make it to the outskirts of our nation’s capital by first passing through Georgetown and eventually finding the elusive “Mile 0” marker for the C&O Canal near the infamous Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C.

You have just completed 335 gravel miles in 5 days… job well done!
Distance: 61 miles +490 ft / -765 ft

* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Lodging

Great Allegheny Passage / C&O Canal Gravel Tour

You will stay in comfortable hotels.

Included:

• This is a semi-supported tour, Semi-supported is when a guide does not ride with the guests and can only offer support at the start of the ride or at the end of the ride.
• Daily cue sheets
• 4-nights of lodging,
• Some meals (2 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner),
• Luggage transfers,
• Permit fees.

Not included:

• Night before and after the tour not included
• Airfare to and from the tour start
• rental bike.  Be sure to bring your own helmet. We have a very limited supply and will only pack them if special arrangements are made ahead of time.
• Alcoholic beverages
• Gratuity guides

Pricing / Tour dates

Tour price 2024: $ 1950.- pp single fee $ 385.-
You can avoid a single supplement by sharing a room with another rider.
Bike rental:
Gravel Bike $250.- per week
Optional Post-Tour Shuttle: +$95 per person. An optional shuttle from the Washington, DC area to Pittsburgh is available for you, your bike, and your gear to get back to the tour start meeting hotel (reservations on-your-own) in Pittsburgh, PA.
|If you do not choose this option, you are on-your-own to make your own travel arrangements from the ending hotel.
Tour dates 2025:
13 Sep – 17 Sep
29 Sep – 03 Oct
11 Oct – 15 Oct

Conditions

Deposit $950.- pp
The deposit payment for a tour must be paid within two weeks after the booking is confirmed.
The remaining payment is due 90 days before the start of the tour.
For tours that are booked within 90 days before the start of the tour you will pay 100% of the tour price