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As the calendar flips to the autumn months, thoughts turn to sweater weather, apple cider sipping, and brisk walks in crisp air. If this sounds like you, then it is time to pack a bag and head to Allegany County. Known as “the Mountain Side of Maryland,” Allegany County offers an unparalleled experience for all lovers of nature and the outdoors.
With scenic overlooks, a world-class bike trail through the mountains, tree-lined scenic byways through historic towns, and 70,000 acres of public land, there are plenty of opportunities to experience fall. Allegany County may have some of the best places to experience Maryland’s peak fall foliage—it was named one of the nation’s 10 best destination to experience fall by USA Today.
If anything, the region is so rich with recreational options, you may not know where to begin. A spectacular fall itinerary is available to visitors and offers a two day snapshot of some of the county’s best bets. From biking to breweries, scenic drives for leaf peeping to museums for history buffs, you won’t miss a single highlight.
Fall is the perfect time to visit not only because the leaves put on their rich, autumnal show, but because there is an abundance of fall activities to enjoy. The Heritage Days Festival, which runs September 13-15, is a showcase of arts, crafts, music, and food that’s perfect for the entire family. The Appalachian Festival, held September 19-21, celebrates the region’s mountain culture with arts, dance, music and more that highlight the area’s connection to Appalachia.
While there are excellent restaurants and events to enrich your experience in Allegany County, it is the great expanses of breathtaking wilderness that draws nature lovers and adventurers to the area season after season. And there are different options to experience all the beauty, regardless of your interest or ability.
For those who wish to ride or pedal their way through this bucolic area, there are three great options. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad takes passengers aboard a restored historic steam locomotive on a three-hour roundtrip tour of the gorgeous vistas between Cumberland and Frostburg. The Great Allegheny Passage, or GAP as it’s known, is a bike and pedestrian trail that runs from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Cumberland, Maryland (and connects to the C&O Canal Towpath that runs to Washington, D.C.). A smooth trail of crushed stone, it offers a great surface to pedal, walk, or jog along and enjoy the scenery. For a unique hybrid experience, visitors can opt for Tracks and Yaks, Maryland’s only rail biking excursion where guests can leisurely pedal aluminum rail bikes on the railroad tracks along the Western Maryland Railway corridor.
Even though there is a nip in the air, fall is also still an excellent time to paddle on Lake Habeeb or the Potomac River. And those who prefer to hike can not only see the foliage from the trail, but also ascend to one of Allegany County’s many scenic overlooks. These spots provide stunning vistas of rolling mountains and views of up to four different states from one spot.
There are leisurely ways to take in the beauty of Allegany County, too, most notably via the Scenic Overlook Tour of the Green Ridge State Forest. The 45-mile driving trail, which takes approximately three hours, encompasses five spectacular overlooks onto the pristine natural beauty of the area. Pack and picnic, bring your binoculars, and make a day of exploring this scenic byway from the comfort of your car.
No matter the journey you wish to take, the trail starts here, in Allegany County.
– Visit Allegany County, MD. You’re Welcome.