The Great Allegheny Passage Trail runs from Cumberland all the way to Pittsburgh, winding 135 miles through beautiful countryside. It follows the course of the now-gone railway system that once connected the two towns. The trail may be hiked or biked, and along the way there are opportunities for fishing, hiking, camping and nature study. Sections of the trail are open to horseback riding, including the area between nearby Frostburg and the state line. During winter, cross-country skiing is permitted.
Extending from Cumberland to Washington, D.C. is another system of trails that runs along the old Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which provided transportation between Cumberland and the capital in the 18th and 19th centuries. Hikers will enjoy the C&O Towpath, but the Trestle Walk offers a nice alternative to the more rugged pathway. The city has a visitor's center along the path and plenty to do and visit. The trail offers access to the Potomac River and places to hike, bike, jog and enjoy the setting.
Located just six miles from Cumberland, the Rocky Gap State Park offers a number of activities centered around Lake Habeeb. The 3,000-acre park features a trail that circles the entire lake and lots of opportunities for boating, swimming, hiking, biking, camping and general recreation. It also has an aviary with educational programs, an amphitheater and pavilions for group events. Additionally, there is a designated hunting area, including a separate bow hunting area.
There are several golf courses around Cumberland including the Rocky Gap Golf Course. A Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, it is nestled in the heart of the Rocky Gap State Park. Maplehurst Country Club also offers a public course miles from the center of town. Fore Sisters Golf Course in nearby Rawlings, Maryland, offers another opportunity for golfers. All three offer 18-hole, par-72 courses with more than 6,600 yards of fairways, roughs and traps.
