Now that I have completed the GAP I will share my itinerary for anyone thinking about a similar trip. Details below, but overall, I would not change a thing.
Day 1: Homestead, PA to West Newton, PA
26 miles. Stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Homestead. Hotel so used to bikers they do not even make conversation about it. You can keep your bike in your room. Trailhead close and easy to find if you have looked at a map ahead of time, but no sign. Path is cinder first, then paved. A short section is on the street, but in bike lanes segregated with pylons. Paved trail continues most of way to West Newton. There are a few short climbs. This segment of the trail was the most interesting to me - all the ex-industry and crossing over active railways a few times. There are interpretive boards to read along the way. In McKeesport you have to pay attention for trail signs -- sometimes painted on a sidewalk or roadway, sometimes a sign. You wind around some streets before picking up the real trail again. It was not hard. From McKeesport, the trail passes through lots of small towns with easy access to jump off for a soda or snack. The B&B I stayed at in West Newton was Bright Morning B&B. Might be the only one. Very nice place, right on the trail near the train depot and bike shop. Mary Lou is a great host. Outdoor bike storage. House has wifi. No locks on bedroom doors. Very clean.
Day 1: Homestead, PA to West Newton, PA
26 miles. Stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Homestead. Hotel so used to bikers they do not even make conversation about it. You can keep your bike in your room. Trailhead close and easy to find if you have looked at a map ahead of time, but no sign. Path is cinder first, then paved. A short section is on the street, but in bike lanes segregated with pylons. Paved trail continues most of way to West Newton. There are a few short climbs. This segment of the trail was the most interesting to me - all the ex-industry and crossing over active railways a few times. There are interpretive boards to read along the way. In McKeesport you have to pay attention for trail signs -- sometimes painted on a sidewalk or roadway, sometimes a sign. You wind around some streets before picking up the real trail again. It was not hard. From McKeesport, the trail passes through lots of small towns with easy access to jump off for a soda or snack. The B&B I stayed at in West Newton was Bright Morning B&B. Might be the only one. Very nice place, right on the trail near the train depot and bike shop. Mary Lou is a great host. Outdoor bike storage. House has wifi. No locks on bedroom doors. Very clean.
Day 2: West Newton, PA to Connelsville, PA
26 miles, all cinder. This section was the most 'boring' in that the scenery did not change much. The trail spends the entire time in the deep woods, with no easy opportunity to hop out to a town for lunch or a snack. No remarkable picture points, bridges, etc. Just a beautiful forest trail segment. I stayed at the Connellsville B&B. Does not look like much from the outside but it is wonderful inside! What a gem. Hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers, comfy beds, wifi and terrific breakfast. Locked bike storage. Close to Connellsville bike shop -- home of the Click and Clack brothers of bikes. Make up a reason to go talk to those guys if you have to. They are a riot. Nice town in general. Good Mexican restaurant a short walk across the train tracks.
26 miles, all cinder. This section was the most 'boring' in that the scenery did not change much. The trail spends the entire time in the deep woods, with no easy opportunity to hop out to a town for lunch or a snack. No remarkable picture points, bridges, etc. Just a beautiful forest trail segment. I stayed at the Connellsville B&B. Does not look like much from the outside but it is wonderful inside! What a gem. Hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers, comfy beds, wifi and terrific breakfast. Locked bike storage. Close to Connellsville bike shop -- home of the Click and Clack brothers of bikes. Make up a reason to go talk to those guys if you have to. They are a riot. Nice town in general. Good Mexican restaurant a short walk across the train tracks.
Day 3: Connellsville, PA to Confluence, PA
26 miles. Not a lot going on along this segment of the trail -- just nature's beauty. The grade does begin increasing and there are a few bridges. Coming into Ohiopyle is quite nice. The bridge won a design award. Ohiopyle itself was smaller than I expected and town was very quiet. Bike shop was closed and it was Thursday. Most of the cafes looked closed too. Nice train depot with clean bathrooms, tourist info & trail mementos. Once in Confluence, I stayed at the Parker House. Loved this place because it was the most homey -- access to a kitchen, comfy TV room, bright sun room. Outside bike storage and no breakfast. But Sisters Cafe, a short walk away, is a great place. I liked Confluence a lot.
26 miles. Not a lot going on along this segment of the trail -- just nature's beauty. The grade does begin increasing and there are a few bridges. Coming into Ohiopyle is quite nice. The bridge won a design award. Ohiopyle itself was smaller than I expected and town was very quiet. Bike shop was closed and it was Thursday. Most of the cafes looked closed too. Nice train depot with clean bathrooms, tourist info & trail mementos. Once in Confluence, I stayed at the Parker House. Loved this place because it was the most homey -- access to a kitchen, comfy TV room, bright sun room. Outside bike storage and no breakfast. But Sisters Cafe, a short walk away, is a great place. I liked Confluence a lot.