Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy

Happy New Year from the Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy! As we step into a new year, we’re grateful for everyone who rides, walks, volunteers, and supports this incredible trail and the communities it connects. Here’s to more miles, more memories, and more moments spent enjoying the GAP in the year ahead. See you out there!

When I turned 40 last year, I walked 40 miles on the Great Allegheny Passage, all in one day. Bicyclists were often curious, asking, “why are you out walking with trekking poles and carrying a backpack?” They all had to pause and ask questions about where I started and where I was going – trying to figure out what my story was. Well, long distances are my specialty. I hiked 1,600 miles on the Appalachian Trail on weekends and over two summers. Then I walked every city street and alley in York, Pennsylvania, where I was working as a teacher, accumulating 171 miles on evenings and weekends. Walking makes you slow down and stay in the moment. You can experience more of life when you're traversing it at three miles an hour! You can take in everything around you, not just what's straight ahead of you. You get to experience life as it is, instead of hurrying for the next thing -- especially when you’re walking long distances. Sure, you can always walk a little faster, or you can walk a little slower, but your pace isn’t as important as just being present. When my son, Auggie, was a baby, I took him on a lot of hikes in our child carrier and could still walk at a premium pace. Now, he’s four-and-a-half, and we do short distances because he’s usually looking for bugs. We don't get very far. But the slowing down is good, and he reminds me to notice all the little things on our journey. He loves the GAP, too. If you want to slow down, but aren’t ready for the Appalachian Trail, the GAP is a great multi-day walking, hiking, or backpacking experience. Its trail towns are typically walkable, with restaurants, coffee shops, hostels – all the things you want for a trek. Plus, on the GAP, you get to stay in a B&B that’s locally-owned, eat at a local café, or get your bike fixed at a shop owned by a person who knows the GAP better than you do. Whether you walk or bike, would you join me in making a tax-deductible year-end gift to the Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy? It updates wayfinding signage and maps, makes grants to address emergencies, and drives audiences to local businesses. And in preparation for a sustainable future, it’s putting together a critical long-term maintenance plan for the next generation of travelers, including my bug-loving son. My next goal? I’m ready to take Amtrak from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. and then just literally walk home. Look for me next summer, moving at three miles an hour. Please, give back today to support the GAP! https://lnkd.in/eR2J4zvk Sincerely, Jonathan Desmarais

The holiday shopping season is here, and the official Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy online store has you covered! Three new crewneck t-shirt designs have just landed, along with all your favorite GAP-branded gear: classic and fitted apparel, cozy hoodies, quarter-zips, baseball tees, pack-n-go pullovers, and more. Looking for the perfect gift for the trail lover in your life? Add a GAP hat, YETI Rambler, cinch pack, or trail journal to their list — plus youth apparel and TrailGuide: The Official Guide to Traveling the C&O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage, to inspire their next adventure. Shop today: gaptrail.org/shop. #GAPTrail #GreatAlleghenyPassage #shopping #holidays #holidayshopping #trailgear #shop 

This #GivingTuesday, help keep the Great Allegheny Passage beautiful, safe, and thriving for everyone who walks, runs, and rides its 150 miles. Your gift supports emergency maintenance, updated signage, trail counts and analysis, convening business owners, and the unforgettable experiences that make the GAP a world-class trail. Give today and keep the adventure going: gaptrail.org/donate

Fast Fact Trivia! At 3,294 feet, what is the longest tunnel on the Great Allegheny Passage?

The holiday shopping season is almost here, and the official Great Allegheny Passage online store has you covered! Three new crewneck t-shirt designs have just landed, along with all your favorite GAP-branded gear: classic and fitted apparel, cozy hoodies, quarter-zips, baseball tees, pack-n-go pullovers, and more. Looking for the perfect gift for the trail lover in your life? Add a GAP hat, YETI Rambler, cinch pack, or trail journal to their list — plus youth apparel and the brand-new TrailGuide to inspire their next adventure. Shop today: gaptrail.org/shop

Big cheers to our 2025 150-Mile Trailblazer Titans! 🌟🚴♀️ We’re thrilled to announce the full list of amazing folks who conquered the Great Allegheny Passage’s 150-Mile Challenge this season. You did it, and we hope every mile brought memories of nature, history, and community along the way. ➡️ Check out the full list of champions at https://lnkd.in/eBuRnrwJ ➡️ We’d love for you to join in the celebration: --Comment below with your shout-out to anyone you see on the list --Tag your friend(s) who completed the challenge so we can all give them some love --Drop an extra 👏 or 🎉 for their accomplishment

Fast Fact Trivia! In what year was the Great Allegheny Passage declared “completed” when the final link connecting to Downtown Pittsburgh was opened?

Did you know the Great Allegheny Passage relies on community volunteers to stay in tip-top shape? It takes tens of thousands of volunteer hours every year to maintain the GAP and ensure its continued enjoyment by hikers and bikers alike Here are just a few of the year‑round tasks that volunteers help with: ⭐ Cutting grass, clearing fallen trees, managing drainage ditches, and removing invasive weeds ⭐ Resurfacing trail segments, cleaning up debris, stacking firewood, and restocking clean shelters ⭐ Clearing culverts, picking up litter, removing rocks, fixing bollards, and covering graffiti ⭐ Recruiting and coordinating emergency repairs and trail enhancements Want to get involved? You can volunteer directly with one of the many affiliated local organizations, including: Allegany County (MD) Government and Mountain Maryland Trails Somerset County PA and the Somerset County Recreation and Trails Association Ohiopyle State Park and Friends of Ohiopyle The Regional Trail Corporation and its chapters: Yough River Trail Council, Whitsett‑Fayette Yough Trail Chapter, Westmoreland Yough Trail Chapter, Mon/Yough Trail Council, McKeesport Trail Commission, and Steel Valley Trail Council, with support from the Westmoreland County Parks Department Friends Of The Riverfront If maintenance isn’t your jam, you can still contribute! The Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy also runs trail count events where volunteers sit trailside for a couple of hours with a clipboard and pencil to tally walkers and cyclists at 12 different locations; an effort that provides valuable data used to attract funding and support. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eQ89hw9g

The Great Allegheny Passage is more than just a trail. It’s a 150-mile experience that connects communities, celebrates nature, and brings joy to thousands each year. You can help keep it beautiful, accessible, and welcoming for everyone! Ways to support: 🌟 Advertise in the TrailGuide to reach riders from around the world 🌟Volunteer with a local trail group to help with maintenance and events 🌟Donate to the Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy 🌟Shop for Official GAP Gear to show your trail pride 🌟Get your major corporation behind the GAP and its name out front Every action makes a difference. Join the community that keeps the GAP thriving for generations to come! Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eiUmjPDk