C&O / GAP Forum

We are planning do ride from Pittsburgh to DC the last week in September. We don't want to camp but stay at B&B, hotels etc. Is it necessary to reserve lodging or is it typically not an issue finding a bed for the night? Ideally we would like to be flexible in our schedule and not lock in all the accomodations upfront.

Some places like Ohiopyle have very limited non-camping options that sell out well in advance and thus you could be out of luck in those locations.
In the larger towns it will likely come down to your willingness to have limited options and pay higher prices for short notice reservations.

I'm more of a planner and would rather know I have a place to lay my head.

Good luck!

I agree. In any given place where you want to stay, there might be 2 rooms or 8 rooms in a 10 mile radius. If someone is having a family reunion or the quilt festival is in town, you could be out of luck. We always reserve our room for every stop for our trip months ahead.

My husband and I are planning to ride Pittsburg to DC in May 2023 and stay in B&B/hotels. Would love to know your itineraries. I am starting the planning now.

How many days are you planning to make the trip? That will affect a suggested itinerary.

We are planning on riding 6 to 7 days. We have also looked at possibly doing it in 5 or 6 days.

Below is an itinerary for a 5-day (average 30miles/day) trip starting in Pittsburgh with each overnight town shown with the daily mileage to each indicated. Each of these overnight towns has BnB’s and/or hotels that cater to cycling tourists as well as restaurants albeit some have more and better restaurant choices than others.

West Newton 35
Connellsville 25
Confluence 28
Meyersdale 29
Cumberland 32

You can find options for overnight accommodations in each town using the Town Services tab on this Bikecando website as well as the Trail Guide book.

Thank you. We are going from Pittsburgh to DC. I am not sure which parts might be more difficult and do less mileage on those days and which parts might be easier, and we can ride more. We are looking at 5-7 days riding and not sure what makes sense.

With the prospective 5-day itinerary I noted, the last day to Cumberland is, by far, the easiest as the last 23.5 miles is noticeably downhill. The first day is the longest because there are very few places to stay after leaving Pittsburgh until you get to West Newton. However, nineteen of those miles leaving Pittsburgh are paved but there are some bridge overpasses and a couple of uphill grades along the way.

Noble Invention Bike Touring offers various GAP tours of different durations. You could contact them to simplify the planning and reservation process.

Ignore my recent posts as I failed to read your post accurately. I see you are planning to ride all the way from Pittsburgh to DC not just to Cumberland.

A 6-day ride from Pittsburgh to DC might use the following itinerary:

Connellsville 60
Meyersdale 57
Paw Paw 60
Williamsport 57
Brunswick 45
DC 55

Under normal, dry conditions none of these segments are particularly more difficult than the others. If conditions are wet, the trail between Cumberland and Little Orleans can be quite muddy and soft and therefore more arduous.

Thank you! I will take a look at that itenary.

Wife and I (both 70) are riding the GAP Pgh. - Comberland August 2023. Anything to be aware of, thoughts on August weather, highlights of your trip, trail conditions, etc.? Any and all comments/ tips are welcomed and appreciated. Thank you in advance!

My. Where to begin. Let's start with the weather. The average daily high temp in August is 83 with an average daily low temp of 64 with highs of 88 and lows to 58 providing a wider, but less probably band. You can expect some precipitation on 10 of the days in August with an average total monthly rainfall of less than 3 inches. Further, the humidity level is considered "muggy" on about 10 days during August.

With the exception of the first 19 miles out of Pittsburgh and a couple of miles approaching Cumberland the trail consists of fine, packed, crushed stone. The GAP trail will generally be smooth and solid except during or shortly after a heavy rain. Even then, while the trail may be soft, it has very few muddy spots.

The GAP is a rail-trail so changes in elevation are modest and smooth except for the bridge overpasses leaving Pittsburgh and a couple of short sections that deviate from the rail right-of-way. The uphill grade from Pittsburgh to the Eastern Continental Divide is almost imperceptible. The uphill grade is slightly more noticeable from Connelllsville to the Continental Divide but certainly not as dramatic as published profile illustrations would suggest. (Compared to Colorado, it's all flat!) That said, the ride down from the Continental Divide to Cumberland is a nice, long (23-mile) downhill ride making for an easy last day.

Lastly, as I've repeatedly suggested to new riders of the trail, take some time to learn some of its history and the region. There are numerous articles and YouTube videos of the trip. You'll appreciate and enjoy that which you will see if you understand what spawned the trail and what existed along the way.

If you have other specific questions, please post them.

Rivnuts: “You da man”. I think you were a meteorologist in a past life. Grateful for current info and I will post any additional thoughts when they hit. Thank you.

Hello,
I am the Owner Operator of Red Lantern Bed B & Breakfast in Meyersdale PA. Thanks for including us on your sight. Do you need any more info or anything from us? Our website is redlanternbandbc.com and email is redlanternbandb@outlook.com. My phone #is 814-442-6881. Thanks a million!!

Wife and I (both 70) are riding the GAP Pgh. - Comberland August 2023. Anything to be aware of, thoughts on August weather, highlights of your trip, trail conditions, etc.? Any and all comments/ tips are welcomed and appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Heading to DC from Cumberland and have seen on the NPS site about problems at Culvert 82. There hasn't been any recent discussion on the forum about it. Is it still a problem? How did you address it? Thanks for your help.

I went through there and across that “culvert” earlier this week. As in the past, it was not a problem crossing that “temporary” wooden foot bridge. The water level was low which is generally the case unless there has been extreme recent rainfall. Note however that the short approaches down to that foot bridge on either side are somewhat steep. Those with heavily laden bikes or bikes with trailers may want or need to walk/push their bikes to and across the foot bridge.

is there a trail access at camp carmel dunbar pa.

If you were actually already in the camp legally you could physically access the the trail. However, the access road to the camp is restricted with gates across the access road to the camp.

Conversely, there are signs along the trail at the camp identifying it as private property with notice to stay off the campground property.

The Camp Carmel website discusses the access road and gates therein.

Thanks Rivnuts for the info. I wass just trying to find a shorter ride from connellsville area to ohiopyle. Figured it was about a ten mile bike ride from camp ground area to ohiopyle, any suggestions?

Unfortunately there aren’t any trailheads between Connellsville and Ohiopyle from which to embark. However, if you are just looking for a nice 20-mile ride (10 miles eac( way), I’d recommend starting in Ohiopyle and riding to Confluence and back. It’s a very nice ride with parking, food bike shops and beautiful views at both ends. Its a longer drive for you to get to Ohiopyle versus Connellsville but I think you’d enjoy that portion of the trail.

Of course you could start in Connellsville and ride the other direction to, say, Perryopolis/Layton and back but there’s no town or village on the trail there per se’.

West Newton to Whittset is a nice 2x11 mile ride as well with trailheads at both ends.

Thanks rivnuts, Done all the rides you mentioned even Pgh. to DC. enjoy the ride from connellsville to Ohiopyle but sometimes enjoy taking a shorter ride.

I’m sure this reply is too little too late but there is access to the GAP Trail between Connellsville and Ohiopyle at milepost 78 via Sugar Run Road. By parking there your round trip to Ohiopyle would be but 14 or 15 miles.

Two older women, one 70 and the other 62 are planning on doing the trail from McKeesport to Harpers Ferry in mid October. One of us is riding an E bike, the other a (much lighter) gravel bike. We have made reservations in BandB's and hotels. The longest day planned is 60 miles from Cumberland to Hancock. We are carrying our gear, etc. I am reading about detours, the stairs at Harpers Ferry, etc, the shuttle around Paw Paw. I keep going back to the nps.gov site for updates. We are experienced road bikers but I am concerned about the condition of the trails and the ability to hike the detours. Any tips, suggestions, updates on the trail would be appreciated.

We did it In the opposite direction. It was raining. Didn’t see or know about the shuttle so the limb was brutal. I needed help to push my bike up. There was also another small detour around further along.

FYI, during the Cumberland to Hancock leg of your adventure, if you should run out of steam say near Little Orleans, there's still the Town Hill B&B (301) 478-2794. When you get to Fifteen Mile Creek campground at Mile 141, follow the access road through what appears to be an old railroad overpass. On the other side will be Bill's Place. If there's no cell signal, ask Jack if he can call on land line the folks up at Town Hill to come and get you. FYI, it's a gruling 7-mile, up hill climb out of the Potomac River basin to the B&B.

Also, just be aware that there's literally no cellular service in the Paw Paw Narrows. We call it the cellular blackhole out here.

We did it In the opposite direction. It was raining. Didn’t see or know about the shuttle so the limb was brutal. I needed help to push my bike up. There was also another small detour around further along.

We did it In the opposite direction. It was raining. Didn’t see or know about the shuttle so the limb was brutal. I needed help to push my bike up. There was also another small detour around further along.

Just took the shuttle. Note that it only transports you on the downriver side of the bypass trail. You’ll still have to make your on way up/down the upriver side of the detour. They shuttle up to three people/bikes in each trip. Make sure everything is attached firmly to you bikes such as water bottles, bags, phones, etc as it is a bumpy ride.
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At Harpers Ferry, you will need help carrying your bikes - especially that ebike - up the stairs to the pedestrian bridge. When I arrived at the bridge last July there were plenty of people there. Just ask a friendly face for some assistance.

I was in Hancock today and was surprised to see how many local businesses are closed or are closing. Shives Pizza is gone along with the Park-n-Dine, Town Tavern, and Little Sandy's at the Truck Stop.

Also, the Fractured Banana is closed along with a long-standing staple of Hancock, Weaver's Restaurant.

There are still many places to get a meal, Sheetz, Triangle Lounge, Buddy-Lou's, Hardee's, Subway, Pizza Hut, Smokey Joes BBQ, Potomac Grill, AC&T, and the Blue Goose.

C&O bicycle has lost Johnathan, it's hotshot bicycle mechanic who enlisted in the Marines and I'm not sure if the bunkhouse is still in operation out the back of the shop.

AC&T still has the best fried chicken on the trail in my book.

Below is a link to an article that highlights various eateries in the various Maryland towns along the C&O Towpath. There are more on the other side of the Potomac River which are accessible but not described in this article. I’ve eaten in a number of these but look forward to checking out some of the others mentioned….especially the ice cream shops!

https://marylandroadtrips.com/hungry-on-the-trail-heres-where-to-eat-and-drink-along-the-co-canal/

I’ve eaten at The Crabby Pig, Buddy Lou’s, Beans in the Belfry, and the Whites Ferry Grill. So many more to try!

That Fractured Banana ice cream place will be on my radar for sure!

John

FYI, the Fractured Banana in Hancock is closed. I'm not aware of any plans in the making to reopen in another location at this time.

Jack Schoenadel, the current proprietor of Bill's in Little Orleans has officially listed the property for sale as of Wednesday. Jack's health is failing and it's becoming extremely difficult to hire any reliable help so I figure that 2022 may be the last season Bill's will be serving hiker/bikers on the C&O/GAP Trail. We lost Little Orleans Lodge back in 2021 with the passing of Steve Hubner so the possibility of Bill's closing its doors permanently will leave the campground next to Saint Patrick's Catholic Church as the only "civilization" left in the peaceful hamlet of Little Orleans. FYI, it's been almost ten years since the passing of Bill Schoenadel, the original owner of the old store on the banks of the C&O Canal.

Mr. Walker:

Are people allowed to camp at that church? Are there any facilities there?

There's no camping allowed at Saint Patrick's. There are no facilities there and most of the church property is a historic cemetery so I don't think it would be a good idea to try to camp there.

Don’t understand the rules at the campsite GM says they has rules but we see it only applies to certain people I would like to have a phone number of the owner of the campsite so I can contact the owner Ridge Rider Camping they will not supply that information to the guest at the park This information needs to be posted at the park so we can file a complaint with someone other than the general manager his answer is if you don’t like it leave please help us in this matter.

301-478-2325

are there any updates on the PawPaw tunnel shuttle? as in, is it actually running, or will we have to take the bypass trail with 25 pounds of gear?!

I spoke with riders today riding from DC as they approached Pittsburgh. They stated that the shuttle had not yet begun and they pushed their bikes along the detour trail up and over the tunnel. The NPS C&O website now says the shuttle service is anticipated to begin in late September. I’d monitor the NPS website for further updates.

Bummer that the trail is closed and there's no shuttle. That's going to make a long day A LOT longer.

Other riders have availed themselves of a shuttle service provided by Dan, the proprietor of Bike Path Bed and Bath in Paw Paw. Via prior request and with a nominal fee, he’ll shuttle you around the tunnel detour. You can contact him at (304) 671-5153 if you would like to pursue this option.

For those not in the know - how far is the bypass of a shuttle is t utilized?

The tunnel bypass trail is about 1-1/2 miles long with an ascent of 375 feet. You can find more info including a map and profile of the bypass trail at the National Park Service C&O Canal website.

Good Afternoon! Looking for any updates the trail conditions. Yes, I've regularly check the NPS site, but was curious if anyone has recently been out on trail after Ian made its way through the area. curious of any dead fall across the route, or any significant flooding is prone areas. Ill be on trail this weekend. any info if much appreciated! thanks in advance!

We rode Cumberland to Paw Paw yesterday, 10/3/22. It was muddy intermittently, but no trees down. We had a great time. Today we rode from Paw Paw to Hancock, still muddy with light rain this morning. We got on the WMRT at the western end and rode that into Hancock. 1 tree down that they removed while we were out there. So another great day! I realize you might be inquiring about other sections of the trail. Hope this is helpful

My wife and I are planning a cycling trip on the C&O and GAP in June 2023. We will be carrying all our gear on the bikes. We want to go into Harper’s Ferry but don’t want to have to carry bikes and gear up the stairs, we’re 68 and 65. Is there another way into town? Thanks for any info.

Unfortunately there is no other direct alternative to get to Harper’s Ferry from the Towpath. I suppose you could try to get an Uber, Lyft or other to take you, your bikes and gear across the river via one of the upriver or downriver bridges.

Perhaps, other forum readers know of another possibility unknown to me.

I rode the GAP/C&O last year and arrived at the Harper's Ferry pedestrian bridge on July 3rd. I took the heavier rear trunk bag/panniers off and carried the bike up and over. It was a chore. There were plenty of people coming and going, so next time I will ask some kind soul for assistance with the bike. I am 70.