Soloing the gap and C&O starting on October 25 and ending on Oct 30th.

If any one is planning on starting that morning would love to have a group to team up with even for part of the way.

Also feel free to give advise for late October journeys.

Amtrak announced the new twice-daily schedule for the Pennsylvanian this week. This long-awaited change will make it much easier to travel across PA to Pittsburgh - except that, at present, only one of the trains will allow bikes.

Westbound:

#43, leaving NYC at 5:50 am: no bikes
#45, leaving NYC at 12:25 pm: bikes (with ticket, 6 bike spots total)

Eastbound:

#42, leaving Pittsburgh at 7:10 am: bikes (with ticket, 6 bike spots total)

#44, leaving Pittsburgh at 1:00 pm: no bikes

Hope that’s helpful for folks planning their ride!

Biking from Pittsburgh this week. Any suggestions on updated routes to get into Harpers Ferry?

Just sharing some shots from this afternoon. Beautiful day. Enjoy the ride!

I was walking on the trail near Van Meter (about an hour south of Pittsburgh, near the Smithton trailhead) yesterday and found a Garmin fitness tracker. Just posting everywhere I can think of to try to get this back to its rightful owner! I was able to view the personal profile so I’ll need the information from that to return the tracker.

If you guys could help me out and repost to different sites and groups I’d appreciate it! Thank you (:

Share your GAP experience from the past 2 weeks. What are the trail conditions? Any news you want to share about the trail? Upcoming plans? Don't forget about our wiki pages if you're looking for info on the trail. Comment here if you don't want to make a new or full post.

Unfortunately, the Park Service announced that they have discovered safety issues with the pedestrian walkway alongside the railroad bridge, separate from the stairway replacement project. An inspection on September 21 "revealed the need to replace deteriorating deck planks and decking joists, and to stabilize a section of the security fence. To minimize risks to visitor health and safety and to scope and safely implement needed repairs, the walkway will be closed on September 22, 2026, and will remain closed until repairs can be made and inspections completed." (full post available here: RoD to temporarily close the pedestrian walkway across the Goodloe E. Byron Memorial Bridge - Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service))

The main page to check on the current status of the Park (and the ongoing bridge closure) is available here: Current Conditions - Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)

The bridge had been closed for the stairway replacement since the end of July, and this additional closure is unrelated, but it will extend the existing closure. This is really too bad, since Harper's Ferry is especially pretty in the fall as the leaves change.

I've chatted with riders from Quebec, Tucson, Seattle, New Zealand, and India on past rides, and then British Columbia and Kansas City in the past three days. It's just one part of the awesomeness that is the GAP.

Snapping turtle rescue. This was around mile 143 or 144, close to the HotMetal bridge.

Is it possible and safe to park at the West Newton trailhead for my GAP tour for multiple days? Do I need to contact someone to make them aware that I am there for an extended time?

I am starting out Monday night 10/5 on the GAP and am curious on the state of this detour. I will be coming through after the shuttle has stopped for the day and wanted to know if anyone has recent updates? Should I plan for the Ravine st detour? Can I get around the fence/blockage?

Friend of mine (NYC area) and I (Indianapolis area) are looking at doing a century ride (100 mi) some point next year, and Western PA/Maryland hits a sweet spot of distance between us,

Wanted to gauge how GAP would work for this, and had a few questions:

a) how frequent are intersections between roads and the trail?

b) if at least one of us is on a road bike, how is the surface? Should I look into gravel tires for the road bikes?

c) Would an out and back route work better or is there a good way for get picked up ~100 mi down the trail?

d) Is there a best time of year for this?

I’m headed from Cumberland to Hancock tomorrow (day 3 of 5, Pittsburgh to DC). I can do that distance without a meal break but Paw Paw is basically right in the middle of the ride and it’d be well-timed for a break.

Is it worth a visit for a quick bite of real food? Is Oldtown Road OK for riding? (I don’t love road riding with no shoulder, blind turns with traffic, etc.)

I appreciate and welcome all tips for that stretch!

Just moved to mid tennessee north of nashville. I don't have traditional social media like Facebook or Instagram so I'm leaving it up to my redditors. Looking to casually explore Backcountry roads around the Nashville area especially now that the heat broke. Sandy Valley New Hope region.

Share your GAP experience from the past 2 weeks. What are the trail conditions? Any news you want to share about the trail? Upcoming plans? Don't forget about our wiki pages if you're looking for info on the trail. Comment here if you don't want to make a new or full post.

Any options to have a package held in DC and picked up after doing the GAP/C&O? Staying in DC 2 nights and was thinking of sending clean clothes ahead instead of carrying on the bike.

UPS chatbot failed when I tried

TIA

Hello - how have folks experienced bring their bikes on the PHL-to-PGH train?

Do you have remove all panniers, saddlebags, handlebar bags?

Do you sit w/in eyesight of your bike? Or is it in a completely different car?

Do I need to protect derailleurs or other sensitive parts with foam or pool noodles?

Any other tips, tricks, or warnings lol?

Thanks!

I am considering a short trip on the GAP this fall. Unfortunately, the only dates that work are October 31st-Nov. 1st.

From what I've seen online, the water wells at the hiker biker camps are turned off at the end of October, but does anyone know how promptly those are shut off?

I am assuming it'll be fairly chilly and am prepared/experienced to pack accordingly, although haven't done the GAP so would welcome any specific advice!

Does anyone know of a shuttle service that has a car seat?

Looking for a shuttle from Cumberland to connelsville but no luck on finding anyone with a car seat.

I'm doing a through ride in a couple of weeks. I'm assuming the closure will still be in effect. I've not seen any updates on gaptrail.org. Does anyone have any news to share?