Pittsburgh: The ultimate pit stop for the Great Allegheny Passage
A world class trail for all kinds of adventurers, The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) should be on every adrenaline-seeker’s bucket list.
Connecting Downtown Pittsburgh with Cumberland in Maryland, the trail encourages every type of outdoor recreation from cyclists to runners and hikers. Pittsburgh is the perfect spot for launching or ending a journey along the GAP.
About the GAP
The 150-mile route winds through valleys, snakes around mountains and showcases some of the most picturesque scenery in the US. Crossing the Mason & Dixon Line which forms parts of the Pennsylvania borders, the passage tops the 2,392-feet Eastern Continental Divide and depicts the Laurel Highlands in a way travellers have never seen before. With natural attractions at the heart of the journey, adventurers can get stunning views of waterfalls, river valleys, farmland and gorges – experiencing Pittsburgh in a whole new light.
What to experience in Pittsburgh
Downtown Pittsburgh
Once a hub for steel production, Pittsburgh is now renowned for higher education, tech startups and medical research. Not to mention the cultural pursuits, from The Andy Warhol Museum, the largest museum dedicated to a single artist in North America, to the Bicycle Heaven museum, for those taking a break from the GAP trail. There’s also the Mattress Factory which hosts authentic Pittsburgh artists. The downtown neighborhood also offers a number of local restaurants, craft breweries and cafes.
Pittsburgh’s South Side
Known as the bar crawl neighborhood, visitors to Pittsburgh’s South Side can relax in one of the many bars with a craft beer from a local brewery, see the next Billy Porter at City Theatre, or experience the many retailers and restaurants. Venues such as Club Cafe and The Smiling Moose also host live music throughout the week.
Where to stay
Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh University-Oakland
Travellers can start or end their trip at the Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh University Oakland. Boasting 111 guestrooms, the venue is a stunning IHG hotel adjacent to the Hot Metal Bridge which connects the city’s South Side and Oakland neighborhoods whilst also carrying the Great Allegheny Passage. Built on a former mill site, the high-tech hotel features a rooftop bar, guest ballroom, rooftop yoga deck and fitness centre which overlooks the Monongahela River.
How to get there
This summer Pittsburgh will be even more accessible from across the pond. From 3 June British Airways restarts non-stop service from London Heathrow to Pittsburgh.
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