C&O Canal Trail & Great Allegheny Passage Comments
Which Direction?

I am planning a DC to Pittsburgh trip this summer. I have noticed several other posts recently about upcoming trips and they all seem to be going Pittsburgh to DC.
Am I missing something or does the direction of the trip really matter much?
Thanks for any guidance.

the finish line is a great place to have a picture taken if you end in DC+ I get the climb out of the way the 1st day and a half. I also live 40 miles from pgh.

Well, Pittsburgh's elevation is about 750 feet, and DC is just about at sea level, so that direction is somewhat downhill. Lots of ups and downs in between though.

I'm going West to East mostly because my understanding is that the trails are better maintained in PA and after the ride I am headed directly to the Delaware Shore. . . the grade change was a little bit of a factor but not the main one . . I'm booked for August 1st - 4th. . .

Seriously? Have you taken a look at the elevation map? The ride from Cumberland up Big Savage Mt is excruciating! I have rode from Frostburg up and it is definitely a climb and that is the "easier" part of it.

My wife and I have rode from DC to Pitt. Based on our first ride we are going the same direction this year. One reason, and it may sound silly, but I really wanted to start this trip at Mile post 0. One thing we found, by accident, is that we got the roughest part of the ride over with first. The rest of the ride was a breeze. True, there is a good climb from Cumberland to the Divide. But for us that was just one day. From Meyersdale to Pitt. is downhill. We traded one day of climbing for several days of downhill. We made the climbing day a short day. Hope this helps you and good luck on your ride!

I agree Obie, Cumberland to the continental divide is a 24 mile killer.

Although my usual path takes me (us) from Pittsburgh to DC and the train back to Pittsburgh, I have gone the opposite way too. Train to DC and then back to Pittsburgh. I must say they both offer different perspectives. Yes, you do seem to get an easier ride to DC because of the little boosts every one of the locks gives you and yes it is easier to go 24 miles downhill than up. After taking this ride the first 12 times it was refreshing coming back. Its like a whole different trail. After the Cumberland to Deal trek it was all donwhill to Pittsburgh. The first 45 miles of that is a nice downhill grade too. Try it both ways. You'll like it every time.

I did Pittsburgh to DC and next time I will go the opposite. My reasoning is I want to get the towpath done first as I love the campgrounds and ruralness of it but the scenery I enjoyed more on the GAP. Just my plan. Its all good.

The train from Chicago stops first in Pittsburgh and its easier to catch for the return in DC.

Amen on Pitt to DC. The train times well for leaving out of Pitt with an early arrival in DC you can catch the train back out of DC same day.

I had heard that the train doesn't have roll on service in DC, is that still true? I would love to ride from Pit to DC but am unsure how to return home as of yet.

Roll on service is not happening yet maybe this fall as a trial run . In pester Amtrak monthly about it and get the same answer " we are working on it, and planning for this fall". Please help out and email Amtrak regularly, maybe they will get off their asses.