: An 17.6-mile trek through history featuring two dark, damp, and abandoned tunnels (Sideling Hill and Ray's Hill) left behind when the highway was rerouted.
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 : An 17
: The Allegheny Portage Railroad was a 19th-century marvel that used inclined planes to haul canal boats over the mountains. Geological and Natural Highlights : A massive protected
: Areas like Dolly Sods Wilderness feature high-altitude-esque plateaus with stunted trees, heath, and sphagnum bogs typically found in much more northerly latitudes.
The —often called the Alleghenies—form the rugged western-central portion of the Appalachian Mountains . Historically a formidable barrier to westward travel, they now serve as a premier destination for outdoor recreation, stretching approximately 300 to 400 miles from north-central Pennsylvania through western Maryland and eastern West Virginia. Geological and Natural Highlights
: A massive protected area in Pennsylvania offering thousands of miles for hiking, camping, and wildlife watching . Historical and Industrial Legacy