Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland

Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland
Name	Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland
Location	Garrett County, Maryland, Cumberland, Maryland
Length mi	20
Trailheads	Cumberland, Maryland; Corriganville, Maryland
Use	Hiking, Bicycling, Equestrian
Surface	crushed stone, asphalt
Established	1990s

Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland The Allegheny Highlands Trail of Maryland is a rail-trail corridor in Garrett County, Maryland and the greater Cumberland, Maryland region that links urban Cumberland, Maryland to rural communities near the Border of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The corridor connects to larger networks including the Great Allegheny Passage, the C&O Canal Towpath, and regional trails serving Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.. The trail provides multi-use recreation through landscapes associated with the Allegheny Mountains, Casselman River valley, and the historic B&O Railroad corridor.

Route and Description

The route follows a former B&O Railroad right-of-way from near downtown Cumberland, Maryland northeast toward the Pennsylvania border, paralleling the Casselman River, the Youghiogheny River basin, and several state roads including Maryland Route 51 and U.S. Route 40 Alternate. The surface alternates between compacted stone and occasional asphalt where it traverses former railroad structures such as bridges and culverts built for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Trail access points include trailheads near Cumberland, Maryland, Corriganville, Maryland, and connections to the Great Allegheny Passage at key junctions used by riders traveling to Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh. Mileposts and signage reference regional landmarks such as the Allegheny Plateau, the Laurel Highlands, and nearby state parks like Herrington Manor State Park.

History and Development

The corridor originated as part of the 19th-century Baltimore and Ohio Railroad expansion through the Allegheny Mountains to serve industrial centers in Pittsburgh and the port of Baltimore. The decline of rail freight and the consolidation of lines under railroad companies such as the Chessie System and later CSX Transportation led to abandonment of segments, prompting rail-to-trail conversion initiatives modeled after projects like the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy demonstrations and the conversion of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. Local governments including Garrett County, Maryland commissioners, regional nonprofits, and state agencies such as the Maryland Department of Natural Resources partnered with federal programs inspired by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to secure funding. Community groups, volunteer organizations, and heritage associations advocated for preservation, leading to phased construction in the 1990s and early 2000s and contemporary connections to the Great Allegheny Passage and other long-distance corridors.

Trail Use and Recreation

Users include long-distance cyclists traveling between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. via the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal National Historical Park, local commuters accessing Cumberland, Maryland services, hikers from nearby towns like Frostburg, Maryland, and equestrians accessing bridle-friendly segments. Organized events such as charity rides and regional cycling tours draw participants who often continue to destinations like Ohiopyle State Park, Point State Park, and the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Amenities at trailheads provide parking, bicycle repair stations, and interpretive kiosks that reference industrial heritage sites like former B&O Railroad depots and the broader history of transportation linking Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and Allegany County, Maryland.

Natural Environment and Wildlife

The trail corridor traverses ecosystems characteristic of the Allegheny Plateau and the northern Appalachian Mountains, including mixed oak forests, riparian zones along the Casselman River, and hemlock stands in shaded ravines. Wildlife observations commonly include white-tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear, and migratory songbirds that use flyways between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic Flyway. Aquatic habitats host brook trout and macroinvertebrate communities affected by historical mining and transport infrastructure, with conservation efforts coordinated by state agencies and watershed groups addressing water quality issues associated with legacy impacts from regional industries and rail operations.

Maintenance, Management, and Access

Management of the corridor involves partnerships among Garrett County, Maryland authorities, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, regional trail organizations, and volunteer groups inspired by national models such as the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Routine maintenance includes surface grading, drainage improvements, bridge inspections, and invasive species control, funded through a mix of state grants, local budgets, and private donations. Access policies align with county ordinances and state regulations addressing hours of operation, permitted uses, and emergency response coordination with entities like the Allegany County, Maryland emergency services and local police departments. Trail stewardship programs encourage community volunteers, scout groups, and civic organizations to participate in habitat restoration and trailway improvements.

Cultural and Historical Sites Along the Trail

The corridor passes near significant cultural and historical sites linked to regional transportation, industry, and settlement, including remnants of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad infrastructure, historic towns such as LaVale, Maryland and Corriganville, Maryland, and interpretive connections to the broader story of westward rail expansion to Pittsburgh and the mid-Atlantic ports. Nearby historic districts, museums, and landmarks—such as rail depots, stone bridges, and sites associated with the development of the National Road (U.S. Route 40)—offer interpretive opportunities that tie the trail to narratives preserved by local historical societies, heritage foundations, and state preservation offices.

Category:Rail trails in Maryland Category:Protected areas of Garrett County, Maryland