Whenever the fall foliage is nearing its peak is the perfect time to drive to Ohiopyle in Fayette County to ride the Youghiogheny River Trail to Confluence in Somerset County. The 10.2 mile route is part of the Great Allegheny Passage that connects Washington, D.C., to Pittsburgh.

The crushed-limestone surface is smooth as the trail rises 311 feet in elevation from Ohiopyle to Confluence. For most of the ride, you can see and hear the flow of the Youghiogheny River. The sounds of the river are only interrupted by trains on the tracks on the other side of the water.

About a mile from the town of Confluence is a pull-off where you can see the point where the Youghiogheny and Casselman rivers meet.

A bridge carries the trail over the Youghiogheny River where several restaurants are ready to serve hungry riders.

There are two main access points with parking:

• Sheridan Street in Ohiopyle
• Ram Cat Road near Confluence

Good to Know:

• The parking lot in Ohiopyle is large but fills up fast on weekends and park police enforce where you can and can not park.
• Restroom facilities are located at the Ram Cat Road trail access point.
• There are several picnic areas and benches along the trail to stop for a lunch break or just to enjoy the scenery.
• There are several restaurants in Ohiopyle but it is sometimes a long wait for a table, particularly on weekends.

This article was updated on August 3, 2022