Alleghenies 🆕
The range is defined by its dramatic topography and unique ecosystems:
: 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 alleghenies
The Alleghenies are a hub for hiking and cycling, often utilizing abandoned railroad corridors that once breached the mountain barrier: The range is defined by its dramatic topography
: A sharp, massive escarpment that serves as the Eastern Continental Divide , separating the Mississippi River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds. : A flat, well-maintained trail between Ohiopyle and
The mountains have shaped American industry and transportation:
: The region's rich deposits of bituminous coal, timber, and iron fueled the Industrial Revolution, though this legacy includes significant environmental impacts from practices like mountaintop removal.
: A flat, well-maintained trail between Ohiopyle and Confluence that follows beautiful rapids and connects to the broader Allegheny Highlands Trail .