Skip to content

Pennsylvania

Great Allegheny Passage (gaptrail.org) in Pennsylvania | Photo courtesy RTC

In Pennsylvania, the Great American route is hosted by trails that showcase the state’s history and heritage, from its days before the country formally came into being to its heyday as an industrial powerhouse. Beginning at the Maryland–Pennsylvania border on the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage (gaptrail.org), the route travels to Pittsburgh and through downtown on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.

Plans to complete the Great American through Pittsburgh also align with the vision of the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition—one of RTC’s TrailNation™ projects—to connect Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and New York via a developing 1,500-mile trail network.

The “Great American” Route Through Pennsylvania

RTC’s route analysis defines the preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail through Pennsylvania as 172 miles and nearly 95 percent complete. Click the links below to view full trail descriptions on TrailLink.com.

Preferred Route through Pennsylvania map by RTC
Preferred Route through Pennsylvania map by RTC
Economic Potential of Pennsylvania graphic by RTC
Economic Potential of Pennsylvania graphic by RTC

Trails Along the Route

• Great Allegheny Passage (gaptrail.org)
• Three Rivers Heritage Trail
• Montour Trail
• Panhandle Trail

Route Reveal Celebration

Great American Rail-Trail branded map (2022) by RTC
Great American Rail-Trail branded map (2022) by RTC

Great American Rail-Trail Preferred Route

Be a Part of the Movement to Complete the Great American

Like you, we can’t wait to see the Great American Rail-Trail vision come to life—but we can’t do it alone. Help us reach 1 million pledges for the Great American, showing the strength and solidarity of the trails community.

Take Action

Find your next trail on TrailLink

or Browse Trails Near You