Katy Trail Home  The Katy Trail and Rock Island Trail Rock Island Trail Home
Katy Trail Home Clinton Windsor Calhoun Green Ridge Sedalia Clifton City Boonville New Franklin Rocheport McBaine Hartsburg N Jefferson Tebbetts Mokane Portland Bluffton Rhineland McKittrick Treloar Marthasville Matson Defiance Weldon Spring St Charles Machens Easley Pilot Grove Hermann Huntsdale Columbia Jefferson City Dutzow Washington Augusta KT sticker Rock Island Spur Map Katy Trail Katy Trail Merchandise
switch to Rock Island map

Allegheny Alliance/C &O Canal Trail
Go to Forum
Paulie from Knoxville TN on 5/6/2007 11:49:11 AM:
From what I've been reading on the web, the trail system from Washington D.C. to the Pittsburgh area is complete. Has Anybody done the entire route yet? I would like to give it a shot this fall but would like to hear some feedback first.

Paulie
 
Wayne from OH on 5/6/2007 2:11:32 PM:
To answer your question, no I have not done it (yet). From the ATA site "The connection to the C & O Canal Towpath in Cumberland, MD was completed in 2006, creating a continuous non-motorized corridor, 316 miles long, from near Pittsburgh to Washington, DC." I visited the The Yockatomac Trek site and they still list other options for getting from Cumberland to Meyersdale but I am sure that is old info. I believe this will be the 9th or 10th trek, I expect the info is left over from the old rides. I just found this http:// blog.omnio .org/ , take out the spaces and it should take you to an overview of a trip taken last month, there is a short blog available of the trip through this site. I presume you have all the web sites for that trip but feel free to e-mail me at powderbasket@columbus.rr.com if you want what I have.
 
Rootman from Kentucky on 5/15/2007 6:44:48 PM:
I did the C&O canal in July a few years ago. It was very hot, in the 90s. Nevertheless it was a great ride with lots of history, many more campsites than you will need, plenty of water, and a smooth, well-maintained trail. A friend and I are looking at doing the Allegheny Passage in the fall. I have a copy of "The C&O Canal Companion" that you are welcome to have if we can figure out a way to communicate without splashing our info on this website. I might not respond right away if you reply to this chat area because I don't check it every day. The book has lots of info and is just sitting on my shelf. I'll be glad to send it along.
 
trinjboro from Jonesboro, AR on 5/16/2007 8:39:02 AM:
Try this site for more information:

http://atatrail.org/visit/reports.cfm
 
Wayne from OH on 5/16/2007 2:54:30 PM:
If plans hold we will ride the section in question Memorial Day weekend. If it happens I'll post a report.
 
Paulie from Knoxville TN on 5/19/2007 8:26:02 AM:
Thanks for the input. I think I've about found all the web sites relating to the C & O/Allegheny Passage trail systems. Its a shame nobody has setup a site like this one with a message board covering this trail system.(that's a hint, Ray)

Paulie
 
Ray (webmaster) on 5/19/2007 9:44:20 AM:
Thanks for the suggestion Paulie. As a matter of fact, I have already started building this C&O Canal website. It's not as fully developed yet as the Katy Trail website, but it's constantly growing. A "Ride Reports" page will be added in a few days, and the ability to add comments within the next couple of weeks. And more in the future, including Great Allegheny Passage info, and adding more functionality to the maps.

There actually is a very good discussion group on the C&O Canal at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/coTowpath/. I'm not trying to "compete" with this group, but hope that the BikeCandO.com website will provide a new and useful source of C&O/GAP info.
 
Paulie from Knoxville TN on 5/22/2007 11:33:31 AM:
Looks good Ray, can't wait to see the finished product. I don't plan to ride the C & O/GAP trails until this fall, so that should give me plenty time to plan my ride.

Paulie
 
Ronald from Chicago on 5/28/2007 3:59:47 PM:
I rode from just south of Pittsburgh Airport to Washington, DC May 14-21, this year. Starting on Montour Trail around Pittsbugh, then ATA trail and C&O Towpath. ATA section from McKeesport, PA to Cumberlund, MD is all complete except for one bridge, which requires a short walk around. Excellent scenery along ride. Surface is comparable to Katy Trail with long gradual climb in south direction before Big Savage Tunnel. Towpath is flat with dirt and crushed stone surface, rough and muddy in spots with occasional exposed rock or root. I used 700x38 cm tires and had no real problems. A lot of towpath passses through heavily wooded somewhat remote areas. Limited number of places to stay and eat along both trails, so need to plan ahead. Excellent guides available online from Allegany Trail Alliance and Washington, DC bicycle advocacy organization.
 
Wayne from OH on 5/28/2007 7:39:18 PM:
Ronald, pretty well summed things up.

We rode Meyersdale to Frostburg on Sunday afternoon and met folks who had come West from Cumberland saying the trail IS complete. I am not much of a "guide book" guy but will say I bought the new book on the ATA & C&O (white cover) it is full on good current information, it also has a very nice vinyl map with both trails on it (one on each side), well worth the $5.00. I am planning a group ride from Connellsville to Confluence in Sept or Oct and initually got the giude for that, but found it to be more than I expected.
 
FEEDBACK! - Please let us know if you have suggestions, corrections, complaints, or ideas. Your input is valued and appreciated - thanks in advance!
More info: KT Home Katy Trail Map Trip Planner Travel Timeline Forum Towns & Services Mileage Chart Events Trail Merchandise Search Advertise Contact Us
 
By using this website, you agree to the Terms and Conditions.
how this website uses cookies
This information may not be copied or reproduced in any way.
© Copyright 2025 BikeKatyTrail. All rights reserved.
BikeKatyTrail and BikeKatyTrail.com are registered trademarks.