Alleghenies

The Alleghenies are a hub for hiking and cycling, often utilizing abandoned railroad corridors that once breached the mountain barrier:

: A sharp, massive escarpment that serves as the Eastern Continental Divide , separating the Mississippi River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds.

The range is defined by its dramatic topography and unique ecosystems: alleghenies

: The range has been home to humans for thousands of years, from the indigenous Monongahela and Shawnee to the Scotch-Irish and German immigrants who braved the "western waters" in the 1700s. Expand map Industrial History Scenic Peaks & Wilds Rivers & Trails Pennsylvania Turnpike Abandoned Tunnels

The mountains have shaped American industry and transportation: The Alleghenies are a hub for hiking and

: Areas like Dolly Sods Wilderness feature high-altitude-esque plateaus with stunted trees, heath, and sphagnum bogs typically found in much more northerly latitudes.

: A flat, well-maintained trail between Ohiopyle and Confluence that follows beautiful rapids and connects to the broader Allegheny Highlands Trail . : A flat, well-maintained trail between Ohiopyle and

: The bedrock is primarily sandstone and quartzite, which are extremely resistant to weathering. Outdoor Recreation & Rail Trails