April 22nd, 2022 by WCBC Radio

The Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath have both earned top spots in USA Today’s 2022 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards for the top 10Best Recreational Trails in North America.

Both trails were initially nominated by USA Today 10Best editors who worked with a panel of travel experts to nominate the country’s best recreational trails. Ultimately, the public had the final say, voting on the ‘best trail’ from the top 19 during a four-week online voting contest.

“It is an incredible honor that Allegany County is home to two of the top 10 trails in North America, and it is a testament to what differentiates our region from other destinations – our massive trail systems,” said Ashli Workman, director of tourism for Allegany County. “We are a trail destination, so what a great award to boast.”

The Great Allegheny Passage is a 150-mile rail-trail system from Cumberland, MD, to Pittsburgh, PA. It was the first trail to earn a spot in the National Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. The C&O Canal Towpath runs 184.5 miles from Georgetown to Cumberland, MD, along the historic C&O Canal. In 2021, it tied Zion National Park for the 10th most-visited National Park in the United States. Allegany County is home to approximately 70 miles of the two trail systems, which merge in Cumberland to create a 330-mile continuous trail from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC. Allegany County welcomes over 330,000 visitors annually through the two trail systems.

The other winners in the Best Recreational Trail category include:

• Chuck Huckleberry Loop – Tucson, AZ
• Katy Trail – Missouri
• Virginia Creeper Trail – Virginia and North Carolina
• Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail System – Greenville County, SC
• Trail of the Coeur D’Alenes – Idaho
• Ann and Roy Butler Hike-And-Bike Trail – Austin, TX
• High Line Canal Trail – Dencer, CO
• Colorado Riverfront Trail, Palisade, Grand Junction, and Fruita, Colorado

For more information regarding USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest for Best Recreational Trail, visit www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-recreational-trail-2022. For more information on the C&O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage, visit www.mdmountainside.com.