May 31 - Jun 6, 2025
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.
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7 days
6 nights
17 meals
6B 5L 6D
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Mount Pleasant, PA
2
Bike from Meyersdale to Cumberland, MD on the GAP
Cumberland, MD
3
Bike from Meyersdale to Confluence, Educational Presentation
Mount Pleasant, PA
4
Bike from Confluence to Connellsville
Mount Pleasant, PA
5
Duquesne Incline, Bike from Pittsburgh to Buena Vista
Mount Pleasant, PA
6
Bike from Buena Vista to Connellsville
Mount Pleasant, PA
7
Program Concludes.
Mount Pleasant, PA
At a Glance
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.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Biking up to 32 miles a day on flat, packed limestone trails.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
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.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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 this program.
Mary Kaufman
View biography
Mary Kaufman holds degrees in journalism-professional writing and in communications-PR. She began her career at VisitPittsburgh and is the new program director at Laurelville. A Penn State Master Gardener, she finds meaning in volunteering, teaching, and gardening. Mary co-owns a small plant nursery and enjoys garden design, biking, hiking, yoga, reading, cooking, and being outdoors.
Bill Metzger
View biography
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.
Robin Albright
View biography
Robin Albright is a registered yoga teacher (RYT 200) from Pennsylvania who works full-time in higher education. She has been teaching yoga for three years and practicing it for more than 20. When she is not on the mat, she might be weight training, trail running and hiking, playing tennis, or spinning. She enjoys reading, attending concerts and music festivals, and playing with her dogs. She loves helping people develop strength and self-love with a mindful practice that threads together breathwork and physical postures.
Daniel Cocks
View biography
Daniel Cocks is Executive Director of the Fayette County Cultural Trust. One of their projects is the Connellsville Canteen, a reconstructed B&O (Baltimore & Ohio) Railroad Station that highlights the “canteen ladies” who fed the troops during World War II. The museum showcases thousands of WWII artifacts. It also features a display on the late John Woodruff, one of Connellsville's residents who won a gold medal during the 800 meter race in the 1936 Olympics. Another highlight is Harry Clark's Indian Creek Valley Railroad display.
Fred Zelt
View biography
Fred Zelt is a Pittsburgh native with a BS in Earth Science from MIT and a PhD in Geology from Princeton. He retired from ExxonMobil after 30 years, returned to Pittsburgh, and started cycling hundreds of miles for charity. A certified League Cycling Instructor, he created and teaches a STEM and Cycling curriculum., Fred led 13 geology-themed outings as a volunteer with Pittsburgh nonprofit Venture Outdoors in 2021. He is leading a geology-themed ride on each of the 25 major bike trails in western Pennsylvania.
Suzanne Trussell
View biography
Suzanne Trussell is an archaeologist and museum specialist with a B.A. in history and a M.A. in anthropology. She began her career in archaeology focusing on Latin America. She also worked several years in the American Southwest before returning to her hometown in Western Maryland and establishing Oxbow Cultural Research as a cultural resource management (CRM) firm. In addition to federally and state-reviewed cultural resource investigations, Trussell works with museums, nonprofits, and private landowners to study, display, and teach local Mid-Atlantic Appalachia history and prehistory.
Greg & Rhona Stocksdale
View biography
2WheelEscapes is owned and operated by Greg and Rhona Stocksdale, who have been married for 25-plus years and have raised two children, Travis and Nora. 2WheelEscapes was born from their love of bicycle travel and their desire to facilitate the bicycle dreams of others. People travel from all over the U.S. to ride these amazing trails and the Stockdales want to be a source of assistance and guidance.
Suggested Reading List
(4 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Maryland & Penn.: A Bike Trek on the Great Allegheny Passage
Program Number: 22004
TrailGuide, 20th edition 2024
TrailGuide is the official advertising guide to the C&O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage, 335 miles from Washington, D.C. to Pittsburgh, PA. Includes planning guide and a weatherproof, full-color map folded into the back pocket. The weatherproof map alone is worth the $10 donation to the Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy, which seeks grants to perform emergency maintenance, updates wayfinding signage and maps, and promotes traveling the GAP to new audiences.
The Great Allegheny Passage Companion: Guide to History & Heritage Along the Trail
Published 2021 by the man who was there from the start of the GAP! Purchase online through GAPTRAILSTORE.ORG and give yourself plenty of time to read and enjoy. It's the most comprehensive guide on the market. The history and heritage of the trail come alive in Bill's inimitable style - humor blends with serious scholarship in this look at the railroads and other industries that preceded the trail's development. Bill 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. This is flat-out the best, most ambitious, most educational, and most just-plain-fun rail-trail guidebook ever written, complete with great historical photos and crystal-clear maps.
Facebook Group: Great Allegheny Passage / C&O Canal Enthusiasts
If you're on social media, go to Facebook, look up this address and send a request to join this group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/27418409144.
Cyclists post their photos and stories. They're great fun to read and will help you get aquainted with the GAP.
The Great Ride WQED - You Tube video
Search "You Tube Great Ride WQED 2019" to view this hour-long video online.
You'll get a sense of the beauty of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail, although we don't travel the C&O trail or this exact itinerary on the GAP. Viewers will follow the trail with a diverse group of cycling tour guides, each of whom take us through a different section of the trail.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
17 meals (
6B, 5L, 6D
)
4 expert-led lectures
10 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Mount Pleasant, PA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Laurelville Retreat Center
Activity Note
Check-in available from 5:00 p.m. Rooms are not guaranteed to be available before 5:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 5:00 p.m. Check in at the dining hall lobby to register with program staff, get your room assignment, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. Report to your lodging. We will check and load bikes and enjoy light snacks until dinner at 6:00 p.m. If you arrive after 7:00 p.m., please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. If you arrive before 5:00 p.m., enjoy a walk around Laurelville's beautiful, wooded grounds, see the waterfall behind the office, or relax in the dining hall lobby.
Dinner:
Gather with fellow participants in the Laurelville dining hall to be met by your Group Leader and hosts for dinner.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. All transportation will be by vans to and from the trail each day. Each morning and afternoon, we will bike portions of the Great Allegheny Passage. We ride a maximum of 32 miles each day; the ride segments between meals and breaks may be from 7-19 mile stretches. Riders will have the opportunity to meet up with the support vehicle and staff for lunch and breaks. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Bike from Meyersdale to Cumberland, MD on the GAP
Location:
Cumberland, MD
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Fairfield Inn & Suites Cumberland
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a van; driving about 53 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Biking about 32 miles throughout the day. Riders will have the opportunity to meet up with the support vehicle and staff for lunch, and afternoon break; snacks and water refills will be provided at these stops. After the first seven miles, this section is called “The Big Coast” and riders need to be mindful to obey the 15 mph speed limit. We’ll cross many small footbridges that can become slick in the rain.
Breakfast:
At Laurelville.
Morning:
We’ll depart from Laurelville in vans for the start of the week’s ride. We will make a stop at the Meyersdale Train Station, which features an impressive railroad museum. The morning ride from Meyersdale to Deal will highlight the curved Keystone Viaduct.
Lunch:
We will enjoy a sack lunch in Deal, PA.
Afternoon:
The afternoon ride from Deal to Cumberland is a downhill delight, featuring the Eastern Continental Divide, the 3,294' Big Savage Tunnel, the Mason-Dixon Line, and the 957' Borden Tunnel. We’ll meet the vans for a break in Frostburg (mile post 15). Our ride will end at mile post 0, where the GAP meets the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath to Washington, D.C. (C&O Canal). Tonight’s hotel is visible from mile marker 0. After checking into our rooms, we will have free time before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local Cumberland, Md., venue.
Evening:
After dinner, we'll enjoy a guided tour of a grand historic home and explore a swath of extraordinary "robber baron homes" as we head back to our hotel on foot. The evening is then free to further explore this walkable downtown or relax in the hotel pool or hot tub. Prepare for biking in the morning.
Day
3
Bike from Meyersdale to Confluence, Educational Presentation
Location:
Mount Pleasant, PA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Laurelville Retreat Center
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans; driving about 29 miles, approximately 1 hour driving time. Biking about 31 miles throughout the day. We encounter one larger tunnel and cross several rural roads that require caution. Upgraded trail surfaces may have soft edges.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart the hotel in vans for the trip to back to Meyersdale where we will begin the second day of riding "downhill both ways." The bike ride from Meyersdale to Rockwood will highlight the 1,908' Salisbury Viaduct which crosses the Casselman River Valley, with great views of a wind farm.
Lunch:
We will enjoy a sack lunch in Rockwood.
Afternoon:
The ride from Rockwood to Confluence will take us through the Pinkerton Tunnel. Our vans will meet us for snacks and water at Fort Hill. The ride will end in the town of Confluence, which has traditionally been called Turkeyfoot because of its three streams coming into one. The Youghiogheny and Casselman Rivers and Laurel Hill Creek look like the track of a turkey when viewed from the surrounding hills. The small broad valley here was the site of ancient Indian villages and a resting place between the mountains. George Washington camped here, and this is also the site of the Yough Dam, a major flood control and recreation project built and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We will stop in Confluence for an educational presentation by a local expert to complement our experience on the trail, before returning to Laurelville.
Dinner:
At Laurelville.
Evening:
After dinner, guests may choose to ride the people-mover (think "fancy wagon ride") for a guided, introductory tour of the expansive grounds; hike (with a guide or solo), or enjoy pickleball, the pool, mini-golf, ga-ga ball, the indoor gym, etc.
Day
4
Bike from Confluence to Connellsville
Location:
Mount Pleasant, PA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Laurelville Retreat Center
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans; driving 55 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time to Confluence. Biking about 28 miles throughout the day. We cross several country roads with loose gravel. Upgraded trail surfaces may have soft edges.
Breakfast:
At Laurelville.
Morning:
We’ll depart in the vans from Laurelville for Confluence. The ride from Confluence to Ohiopyle will carry us into the beauty and serenity of Ohiopyle State Park. Much of the morning ride runs parallels the river, providing great views and the opportunity to descend the slope and take a break riverside. This portion of trail also parallels the active CSX railroad across the river.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy a sack lunch in Ohiopyle, followed by a quick visit to the famous Ohiopyle State Park waterfalls, visitor center, and native pollinator gardens.
Afternoon:
The ride out of Ohiopyle State Park features the high and low bridges over the Youghiogheny River, popular for kayaking and rafting. We'll hit mile post 75 today, marking half of our 150-mile goal! The ride ends in historic Connellsville at Yough River Park. The vans will take us back 15 minutes to Laurelville, where we’ll have time to relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a favorite locally owned restaurant.
Evening:
The evening will be spent enjoying each other’s company over fine food at the restaurant, so expect a late return back to Laurelville.
Day
5
Duquesne Incline, Bike from Pittsburgh to Buena Vista
Location:
Mount Pleasant, PA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Laurelville Retreat Center
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a van; driving 46 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Biking about 30 miles throughout the day; paved sections, with a few brief share-the-road sections. Riding a few miles in urban downtown Pittsburgh; biking across several high bridges with switchbacks, some root-rutted pavement in the morning.
Breakfast:
At Laurelville.
Morning:
We’ll depart from Laurelville to Pittsburgh (traffic impacts travel time) to begin our urban riding in the heart of the “Steel City.” We’ll first see a spectacular view of the city and learn about Pittsburgh’s history, then ride the Duquesne Incline, a 200-year old commuter cable car. We’ll make ou way to Point State Park. Here the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers form the Ohio River at the iconic “Point” fountain. We’ll then begin our 12-mile journey to Homestead, winding through downtown. This segment of the trail runs alongside the river, offering great urban views, particularly as you cross over the Hot Metal Bridge. It’s crucial to travel together this morning in small pods. Today’s stretch is the final part of the trail to have been constructed and now formally connects the Point in Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C.
Lunch:
Sack lunch in historic Homestead. We'll learn about the historic events that occurred on this site. If the Pumphouse is not hosting a special event, we will have the opportunity to tour it as well.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll bike from Homestead to Buena Vista, which is 18 miles, with two bridges and several "flyover bridges" crossing over active railroads. We’ll bike through McKeesport, which is strategically located where the Youghiogheny and Monongahela Rivers join. The city became a major steel center for most of the 20th century until mill closures impacted the economy in the 1980s. Today, the major industries are telecommunications, pipe-making, and steel fabricating. We’ll stop at Boston for snacks and water, as well as a chance to see their visitor's center, a retired caboose. We’ll end at mile 120 at Buena Vista and return by van to Laurelville.
Dinner:
At Laurelville.
Evening:
We’ll hear an informative presentation by a local expert to complement our experience on the trail.
Day
6
Bike from Buena Vista to Connellsville
Location:
Mount Pleasant, PA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Laurelville Retreat Center
Activity Note
Optional morning stretching. Getting in/out of a van; driving 35 miles, nearly 1 hour driving time. Biking about 30 miles throughout the day.
Breakfast:
At Laurelville.
Morning:
Optional stretching before breakfast, mats are provided. We’ll depart by van from Laurelville to Buena Vista to begin our final day of riding. Vans will meet us in West Newton at the charming Train Station for a water break. This day takes you back in time to the heart of coal and coke country. Considered “the most important mineral resource in the history of the world,” during the late 1800s and early 1900s, coal fueled the Industrial Age in western Pennsylvania and the U.S. Towns like Adelaide, Whitsett, Van Meter, and Smithdale are examples of the coal patch towns that were built by the coal and coke companies to house their workers. Whitsett, an intact coal patch town, is on the National Register of Historic Places. We'll stop at Sager Mosaics Studio, home of The Ruins Project, "the intersection of art, industrial history, and the GAP bike trail."
Lunch:
Sack lunch in Whitsett.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll continue our journey through tree-lined tunnels along the river. Many remnants are visible from these old industrial towns and businesses. George Washington, whiskey making, and modern movie making have all touched this area. These historically significant sectopms that once connected key coal towns to Pittsburgh have been mainly left in the shadows, being overtaken by Mother Nature, including old coke ovens at about mile post 93. We’ll bike through the ornate glass archway and once you’ve reached Yough River Park again in Connellsville, you’ve completed the 150 miles of the Great Allegheny Passage!
Dinner:
At Laurelville. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Relax around a campfire outside (weather dependent) or a roaring fire in the Guesthouse fireplace. Share your thoughts about the week's adventures! Prepare for check-out and departure tomorrow.
Day
7
Program Concludes.
Location:
Mount Pleasant, PA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Check-out by 12:00 Noon.
Breakfast:
At Laurelville.
Morning:
Rise and shine at your leisure today with a scrumptious continental breakfast, you earned it! This concludes our program proper. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys! Please complete your program evaluations that will be emailed afterwards.
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MEALS
17 Meals
6 Breakfasts
5 Lunches
6 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Aug 09, 2025 - Aug 15, 2025
- May 31, 2025 - Jun 06, 2025
- Jun 28, 2025 - Jul 04, 2025
- Aug 09, 2025 - Aug 15, 2025
- Sep 06, 2025 - Sep 12, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 29 Reviews
Sort By:
The Great Alleghany Passage was a fantastic experience that just fit my ability to ride. The outfitters, Greg and Rhona were experts in both biking and the trail history. I consider myself very well-traveled and this trip exceeded my expectations.
— Review left September 14, 2024
Thanks to the careful planning and management by the leaders of this trip, as well as the wonderful GAP trail (and ideal weather) this was a great experience!
— Review left September 14, 2024
Of the three Road Scholar bike trips I have done, this is my favorite by far. The Laurelville Retreat Center is a wonderful site for this program. The program leader, Steve, is a calm and kind man who made sure our group had what we needed. The biking portion of the trip was expertly arranged and executed by Greg and his wife Rhona (with an added plus of their daughter, Nora). They made sure each day's ride was understandable, supported (both on and off the trail) and safe. Greg kept us laughing with corny jokes. Rhona offered extras like pickleball lessons and pilates. The best part was my fellow program participants. There were so many interesting, enthusiastic and experienced team members. I know I will stay in touch with several members. I cannot recommend this program more highly! If you are on the fence about whether to sign up, I hope my review helps you decide to do so.
— Review left July 6, 2024
The GAP is in an absolutely beautiful part of our country, with a fascinating history I really wasn't very familiar with. This is why I love Road Scholar: EVERY trip I've been on I've learned something new, and I'm already looking forward to my next RS program, wherever that may be!
— Review left June 9, 2024
The GAP bike ride was challenging and a wonderful experience, the staff, presenters and guides were terrific and supported us every step of the way. I highly recommend this trip.
— Review left June 8, 2024
Great biking, very scenic. 30 miles daily is broken up - 10 in the morning, 20 after lunch. Very doable!
— Review left September 27, 2023
This is a great bicycle ride! Beautiful scenery, lots of history and good food.
— Review left September 18, 2023
Bike ride and trails were fantastic! I loved the educational portion of the trip - VERY INTERESTING!!
— Review left September 2, 2023
The ride was through beautiful country and perfectly suited to my riding style – stretches of riding (at a comfortable pace) with occasional stops to view scenic highlights and discuss items of historical or cultural interest. The organization of the trip was superb. Mary did a wonderful job with the arrangements. She and the trip volunteers made it a priority that we had a good experience. They were very welcoming, attentive to needs, and responsive to requests. And they're just super-nice people. The other logistics were suitable for the purpose of the trip. Not fancy, but we had what we needed and didn't feel like corners were being cut. The room was clean and comfortable, the meals were tasty and had good variety. All in all, this was the best trip I've been on through Road Scholar. It was a great week of riding and other activities, and the attention to detail in the trip organization and communication made it a wonderful experience.
— Review left June 12, 2023
The GAP trail should be on every cyclist bucket list. The trail is in great shape and the scenery is beautiful. Mary, our trip leader is incredible. She and her team of volunteer cyclists (Dee, Jeff and Max) were the best. Greg and Rhona of 2 wheel escapes are fantastic; they took great care of our bikes, so no worries if you bring your own bike. They shuttled us to our starting point each day and met us along the way with food and water. If the 150 miles over 5 days seems intimidating, don’t worry, Mary has your back. She has designed the segments to minimize the climbing and maximize the enjoyment.
The Laurelville Retreat is the perfect place to stay. The design of the accommodations helps foster socialization with the group and the grounds are beautiful. Make sure you save some energy after the ride each day for some pickleball, or you can relax in one of the many rocking chairs and relive the day with your fellow cyclists.
— Review left May 28, 2023
My first and last impression of the week…FANTASTIC. Immediately upon arrival, Road Scholar coordinator, Mary Kaufman, and her team fostered a sense of comradery amongst the group. Before, during and even after our week of adventure, Mary made sure every need was met, sometimes before we even knew we had a need. Laurelville Retreat Center is a jewel in this beautiful part of Pennsylvania. The staff is friendly and always accommodating. The guest house is set up in a way that allowed all participants to gather and grow close in our experience. The meals were wonderful, and lunches on the trail were outstanding. Chef Cindy accommodated our every need and then some.
The Great Alleghany Trail is well maintained and offers beautiful and inspiring scenery. It is a trail all cyclists must do. Bike safety was always emphasized, something I greatly appreciated. There were several Road Scholar people riding along with us making sure everyone was safe and they offered interesting facts about the trail along the way. They also were a lot of fun to be with. Thank you, Mary, Kim, Jonathan, Dee and Jeff. Our SAG professional, Jeff, offered the best personal service I’ve ever had during a cycling trip.
— Review left October 4, 2022
If you love biking and want a beautiful experience - sign-up for this trip.
— Review left September 19, 2022
The Great Allegheny Passage Bike Ride (GAP) was amazing. Mary Kaufman and her staff contributed to a very interesting and relaxing ride. Mary transformed a collection of strangers to amiable companions within one day and the group became a cadre of new best friends. We were pampered every minute of our trip at the Laurelville Retreat Center. The rides each day were awesome - beautiful countryside, incredible views, and “friendly” terrain along the rails-to-trails. The guide support was great. An enjoyable and active biking vacation.
— Review left August 22, 2022
Not only is this one of the most beautiful bicycle experiences offered by Road Scholar, the daily routine provides opportunity to know and enjoy your fellow participants. Because of the location of the Allegheny Passage, you can become better informed about the history, culture, and future of this portion of America.
— Review left August 21, 2022
Riding the GAP trail with Road Scholar was a wonderful experience. Mary Kaufman and the rest of the team at the Laurelville Retreat Center were very friendly, kind and welcoming, making it a fun, relaxing and rewarding 5 days of biking on the GAP.
— Review left August 21, 2022
This is a great program. I was initially concerned I could complete the trip. However, it was absolutely no problem as the route was broken up in small segments with rest stops (and amazing food). I would not discounting your ability to participate in activity like this. The camaraderie helps to keep you going and it is such a thrill when you cross the 150 mile mark!
— Review left June 13, 2022
Information about the program was accurate. They provide all you need and take care of all the details for a successful experience. This was my second bike trip with Road Schooars and I hope to make another.
— Review left May 31, 2022
Great bike ride. Reasonable millage and best part of all is that most of it is on a slight downhill. No hills to fight with. Beautiful area of the county. Plus the trip was very well organized and we stayed in a very nice retreat center.
— Review left May 23, 2022
This is an excellent program if you are a biker. Leaders were great, distances were very doable. Felt great to complete 150 miles, but in smaller segments.
— Review left May 22, 2022
The GAP is a beautiful trail and I can think of no better way to see it than on the saddle of a bike. This was my first Road Scholar trip but it certainly won't be the last now that I know what a great experience they provide.
— Review left May 22, 2022
The Great Allegheny Passage is a beautiful Rails-to-Trails bike path that includes tunnels, iron bridges, high viaducts, waterfall, scenic visits, and opportunities to learn about the history of the coal towns and area steel industry. This outstanding program provides an excellent week of cycling the entire 150 miles from Cumberland, Maryland, to downtown Pittsburg. The Laurelville Retreat Center provides a very comfortable base, with only one night spent off site at a good hotel near the trail in Cumberland. The van drivers and volunteer guides were supportive, positive, and always helpful. Mary, the Program Director, was outstanding in every way. As with all Road Scholar programs, the participants are friendly, enthusiastic, and welcoming.
— Review left October 1, 2021
I thought this program was one of the best spirited tours I have been on. All the staff and the Program Director, Mary, were exceptional. But it is also important to note for future participants that the biking guides, all of whom were volunteers, and van drivers, did a wonderful job providing timely, friendly and supportive service throughout. On bike rides where the bikers are spaced out along the trail, all of us felt they had our back. The cohesiveness of the team was incredible.
— Review left September 20, 2021
Five days of 95% easy biking along well-maintained trails in mostly quiet / wooded areas. The leader and staff were well-organized, helpful and supportive in every manner. The leader was exceptional - could not have been better. The food and accommodations were fine - what I would expect from a Mennonite church site. The participants were a friendly / companionable group.
— Review left September 20, 2021
Outstanding trip. Great Leaders and Staff. All aspects of the trip exceeded our expectations (no rain and all down hills) Will So this again and again
— Review left June 17, 2019
This was a wonderful trip! The area is beautiful and the riding very manageable along a well maintained trail. Our guide,Gene Cline, was very knowledgeable, funny,and well organized. I highly recommend this trip. Mary
— Review left June 13, 2019
This is a fantastic trip! The scenery is beautiful and the trails are enjoyable to bike on. Our guide, Gene Cline, was very personable, encouraging, and entertained us with his many jokes!! The lodging is in a peaceful retreat center and the staff makes sure you are well cared for. Biking 30 miles each day is possible even when you're not a seasoned biker. Each participant is encouraged to ride at their own pace and to enjoy the trails. I encourage you to sign up for this trip!
— Review left June 9, 2019
Good program! Accommodations were clean and comfortable, not luxurious, but that’s what we expected for a bike trip centered at a church camp.. The mountains of western Pennsylvania are beautiful, and being a rail-trail, the climbs were not strenuous. The tunnels were fun. I would recommend this trip for anyone interested in bicycle touring.
— Review left June 8, 2019
The Great Allegheny Passage bike trail ride was an amazing experience- beautiful and challenging without being impossible. We had a very diverse group ranging from avid bicyclists to casual bikers. We all made it through! I think we all had a great time. I know I certainly did. The team leader was very well organized, the place where we stayed was both beautiful and responsive to any of our needs, and the support team did a stellar job. Highly recommend it.
— Review left June 8, 2019
This is a great cycling program. If you have some experience riding and are in decent shape, this may be a program for you. For much of the trail you are able to ride at your own pace. The thirty miles each day was easier to accomplish that I, and moderately experienced rider, had anticipated.
— Review left June 8, 2019
