Great Allegheny Passage and Chesapeake and Ohio Bike Tour

The GAP/C&O are two of the premier gravel route bike tours in the USA, showing off our Rails-to-trails system, traveling from Pittsburgh, PA to Washington, DC. These two combine for 335 miles of great car-free trails, with tons of local history, charm and cultural aspects. The GAP is a well-maintained crushed limestone trail with a max incline of around 3%. It crosses the Eastern Continental Divide. The C&O follows the tow path that was used to move coal from PA to DC via barges and a system of locks along the canal route. Both routes are part of the linear national park that goes the distance of the two combined routes.

Bicycle recommendations for this trip are a hybrid, mountain or or gravel grinder with tires of at least 32+ mm in width. The C&O can be muddy in spots, so that is something to think about, as well. Due to some tunnels over 3000 feet in length, headlights and rear taillights are required.

• Journey through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area
• Washington Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway
• Appalachian Trail
• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
• Potomac Heritage National Trail
• Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
• Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
• Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area

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