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Pennsylvania

Maryland & Penn.: A Bike Trek on the Great Allegheny Passage

Program No. 22004RJ
Get ready for a fully supported week of bicycling, trail towns and outdoor adventure as you join local experts to cycle the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage in the Laurel Highlands.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Program
At a Glance
Duration
7 days
Program Begins
Mount Pleasant, PA
Program Concludes
Mount Pleasant, PA
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
17 ( 6B, 5L, 6D )
Activity Level
The Great Allegheny Passage stretches 150 miles across some of the most beautiful scenery in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Join us for a biking adventure along this famed route as you cross the Mason-Dixon line with hosts who share their knowledge of the rich history and natural resources of the Laurel Highlands. Over the course of a week, cover the passage from Maryland to Pittsburgh, and discover the region’s flowing rivers, noted landmarks, and historic small towns.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Cruise through isolated forests, parks, farms, and charming towns with plenty of bridges, tunnels and wildlife, including a day in the urban Pittsburgh area.
  • Ride through Ohiopyle State Park, the historic coal patch town of Whitsett and the 3,291-foot-long Big Savage Tunnel.
  • In Pittsburgh, enjoy the spectacular view of one of the country’s most beautiful skylines from the top of Mount Washington, then travel down the Duquesne Incline, a 200-year old commuter cable car before some urban riding for half of a day.
General Notes
The Retreat Difference: This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Our Retreat programs offer a tranquil respite from daily life in locales that lend themselves to outdoor exploration, reflection, or study. The accommodations may be basic in nature, but the facilities offer communal spaces to gather and to relax. During the week, opportunities usually exist for some combination of light exercise, a locally sourced meal, or evening entertainment. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Profile Image
Bill Metzger
Bill Metzger, author of “The Great Allegheny Passage Companion,” knows more about railroads, geology, nature, industrial history, financial chicanery, and trail construction between Pittsburgh and Cumberland than anyone else — and no one can tell all the stories as well. Bill has been a long-distance bicyclist, a working railroader, a freelance photographer, author, and a mapmaker. He is a founding board member of the Allegheny Trail Alliance and the Montour Trail Council, and lives, works, and bikes in Confluence, Pennsylvania, with his wife Pam.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Biking up to 32 miles a day on flat, packed limestone trails.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List (4 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.






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