FAQ
Questions, answered
The things people most often ask about the trails, the Great Allegheny Passage, and how to get involved with the Regional Trail Corporation.
About RTC & TrailKeepers
- What is the Regional Trail Corporation?
- The Regional Trail Corporation (RTC) is a 501(c)(3) all-volunteer nonprofit founded in 1991. It converts abandoned railroad corridors across southwestern Pennsylvania into public, non-motorized trails and maintains more than 200 miles of rail-trail today, including much of the Great Allegheny Passage.
- What are TrailKeepers?
- TrailKeepers is the name for the community of volunteers, members, and supporters who keep RTC's trails open — the people who maintain the corridors, fund supplies through membership and donations, and advocate for trail access. Becoming a TrailKeeper is how you join the work.
- Who maintains the trails?
- RTC and its nine local chapters maintain the trails, almost entirely with volunteer labor. Each chapter is a community group responsible for a named section of trail, with its own officers, maintenance schedule, and events.
The Great Allegheny Passage
- What is the Great Allegheny Passage?
- The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) is a 150-mile rail-trail between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Cumberland, Maryland. At Cumberland it connects to the C&O Canal Towpath, creating a continuous, car-free route of more than 330 miles to Washington, D.C. The trail is flat, follows former railroad grades, and never exceeds about a 2% grade.
- How much of the GAP does RTC maintain?
- Six of RTC's nine chapters maintain sections of the Great Allegheny Passage in Pennsylvania — from the Steel Valley and McKeesport sections near Pittsburgh, through the Mon/Yough 'Boston Trail' and the Westmoreland Yough Trail at West Newton, to the Whitsett-Fayette and Yough River sections out toward Ohiopyle.
Using the trails
- Are the trails free to use?
- Yes. Every trail RTC maintains is open to the public free of charge, year-round.
- Where are the trails located?
- RTC's trails run across four southwestern Pennsylvania counties — Fayette, Westmoreland, Allegheny, and Indiana — through trail towns including Connellsville, West Newton, McKeesport, Homestead, Greensburg, Youngwood, Mount Pleasant, Scottdale, Saltsburg, and Trafford.
- What is the trail surface like, and are the trails flat?
- Most sections are firm, fine crushed limestone on former railroad grades, so they're flat — generally under 2%. The Steel Valley and McKeesport sections include paved stretches. The surfaces suit hybrid, gravel, and touring bikes, as well as walkers, runners, and most strollers.
- Are the trails accessible and good for families?
- Many are. The Five Star Trail, Westmoreland Heritage Trail, and Coal & Coke Trail are flat and handicapped-accessible, and the Whitsett-Fayette section has a playground, ball field, and basketball court right beside the trail — ideal for young families.
- Can I bring my dog?
- Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome on the trails. Please keep dogs on a short leash, yield to other trail users, and pack out any waste.
- Can I ride a horse?
- Horseback riding is permitted on the Mon/Yough 'Boston Trail' section, which welcomes riders of all ages and abilities. Most other sections are intended for walking, running, and cycling only — check the individual trail page before you go.
- Are motorized vehicles or e-bikes allowed?
- The trails are non-motorized. Motor vehicles, ATVs, and dirt bikes are not permitted. Policies for pedal-assist e-bikes can vary by trail and jurisdiction, so check the specific chapter's page or contact them if you have questions.
- Where can I find parking, restrooms, water, or camping?
- Each chapter has marked trailheads with parking. Year-round water and restrooms are at the Connellsville trailhead, with a campground and shelters nearby; Cedar Creek County Park on the Westmoreland Yough Trail offers overnight Adirondack shelters; and the Boston trailhead has a seasonal visitor center. See any trail page for its specific facilities.
Supporting the trails
- How do I volunteer?
- Volunteering happens at the chapter level. Find the trail nearest you on the Trails page, open its page for meeting times and officer contacts, or email the Regional Trail Corporation to be pointed in the right direction. No experience is needed — tools and training are provided.
- How do I donate, and is my gift tax-deductible?
- RTC is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 25-1660116), so gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. You can give by mailing a check to the Regional Trail Corporation in West Newton, PA, or support the trails by shopping the official GAP Trail Store. See the Donate page for details.
Still have a question? Get in touch — or email regionaltrail@comcast.net.
Help keep the trails there when you need them.
Whether you swing a loppers on a Saturday or chip in a few dollars, every TrailKeeper makes the next mile possible.