York Heritage Rail Trial

This is a very pleasant trail running from York, Pa to the PA - MD line where it connects to the Torrey Brown Trail. The length is about 21 miles with the higher elevation at the PA - MD line in New Freedom, PA. I was able to do a one way ride on this along with the Torrey Brown Trail thanks to my wife. Many businesses along the trail have embraced it and encourage trail users to visit. You may spot a scenic rail passenger train along the way. Check out the William Simpson #17, a faithful replica of the Civil War steam locomotive that carried Abraham Lincoln to deliver the Gettysburg Address.

The York Heritage Trail and the Torrey Brown are #28 on TrailLink's Hall of Fame list. The Heritage Trail is also the #5 trail of the top 10 trails in Pennsylvania according to the rails-to-trails conservancy. The conservancy also rates this trail as the #1 rail-trail for American history.

Recently this trail has had another phase added north of York. There is a 2 mile gap between the orginal trail and the new section. I have not had a chance to ride the new section.

You can see a video of my most recent ride on this trail on my YouTube channel, Mark's Bike Tock. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/RWKuy8K7Ts8

Walkway Over the Hudson

A rail bridge that has been converted into a pedestrian bridge forms the anchor for the Hudson Valley Trail Network. The network has been inducted into the rail-trail Hall of Fame. Located in Poughkeepsie, NY, the bridge offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. It is also the longest pedestrian bridge in the world. Hundreds of thousands of people visit the bridge each year since it opened in 2009. The bridge along with the Hudson Valley River Trail and the William R Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail make for a memorable ride. My most recent ride here was in October, 2021.

Paid parking is available here: 41.71194, -73.92633. Electric vehicle charging stations are available.

The Hudson Valley Trail Network is #30 in TrailLink's Hall of Fame.

For more information visit:

   Walkway website

   NY Parks website

   Scenic Hudson

   

Great Allegheny Passage

I rode the GAP in 2015. I started in Pittsburgh, PA and rode to Cumberland, MD over three days. The ride was easy and I could easily have done it in two days but I wanted to take my time and enjoy the sights. I also wanted to be sure to stop for plenty of pictures along the way. These are some of the more memorable ones from the trip. More information may be found at GAP Trail or Great Allegheny Passage. There is also a Facebook page for the GAP.

The GAP was the first trail selected for TrailLink's Hall of Fame. The GAP is also the #1 trail in the top 10 trails in Pennsylvania according to the rails-to-trails conservancy. Bicycling magizine has named the GAP #1 in its top 10 list of the Best Long Rail Trails in the US. You can find a video of one of the bridge crossings along the GAP on my YouTube channel.

Start of my ride

The end of my ride

It felt good to get here after 130 miles of uphill

Mason-Dixon Line

Sculpture made from railroad spikes

Pittsburg, PA to Cumberland, MD