C&O Canal Trail & Great Allegheny Passage Comments
Getting started in Pittsburg

I'm taking Amtrak from DC to Pitt in September, which arrives at midnight. Suggestions about where to go/stay at midnight? Female traveling alone most likely. Also, trail actually starts in Homestead, yeah? Have some confusion about that. Is there somewhere to stay there?

You can ride from down town Pgh. Take Eliza Furnace Trail to Hot Metal Bridge, cross to Southside Trail, at intersection cross Hot Metal St.left and continue on trail to the end (1 or 2 miles ). Get on to rail bed and walk bike 1/4 mile to Sand Castle and continue threw to Homestead. I've done this several times this summer and is not dangerous or difficult. Also you wont be alone all of the time. As to hotels I sure you will find a place to stay if you make reservations now. I'm curious, what is your departure date? Wife and I leave Point Park 7am 9/9/12.You'd be welcome to join us for some direction if you like.

Thanks for the explanation... but none of that is reasonable when arriving by Amtrak at midnight!! My trip does not begin till a week after yours...maybe I'll catch up to you, ha, ha.

Why?? Hotels will hold a room til you get here, as long as it is paid for. Don't understand.

It was the hotel/place to stay that I was looking for. Don't know anything about the area around the train station in Pitt, but train stations are not notorious for being in good areas.

3 guys from Oh starting the 10th. Be nice and clear the trail for us :)

Correct trail name Sloturtle.. Sorry

Station is on the Southside. A very nice area and many hotels. By the way right on the trail!

If it were me, I wouldn't want to have to pay for a nights stay when I may not arrive at my room until after 1am (counting transit time from train station). Seems like paying for a full night and only getting minimal rest value out of it. I would sleep while aboard the train (should be a good 5-6 hr rest) to have myself rested and find something to do for 4-5 hrs until sun-up once into Pittsburgh. Call family or whatever let them know you're into town. Maybe find a 24 hr grocery store and pick up some snacks and water for your ride..then maybe head to an early breakfast place at say 5-6am.

Seems out there a bit to some I'm sure, but, I just wouldn't sleep properly and get much value for my money out of a hotel stay given the timing of your arrival and all the hustle and bustle and being keyed up that late at night.

To keep things reasonable, call an end to your ride day earlier than normal since you will be up and going so early that day..that's one option anyway.

Train leaves DC about 4pm daily, arrives Pgh. a little after midnight. And is late at times.Not to many stores on the Southside only restaurants bars and hotels.The area is called Station Square, and the trail runs right by, only feet away. Pittsburgh is unique in that a major bike and ped. only trail runs on both sides of the Monongahala River.

I spoke wrongly. The station at Station Square has been closed,all Pgh trains from DC are diverted to the PA. mainline and thus arrive at Union Station Downtown on Liberty Ave.Still lots of hotels and close to Point Park and the trail.