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Directions for Road Detours between Frostburg and Deal

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Note: These are the Road Detours between Frostburg and Deal
 

There is an official Allegheny Trail Alliance pageexternal link for Open and Closed sections.

To see other gaps in the trail between Pittsburgh PA and Washington DC go to the General Detour Page.

Note: Most people who ride these trails are trying to avoid traffic; you won’t want to ride bikes on the detours, and we concur. However, some people will decide to bike the detours anyhow. If you do ride the detours, be careful, and wear your helmet.

From sometime in early December to mid April the trail segment from Frostburg to Deal (9.3 miles) is closed. The doors on the Big Savage Tunnel are closed and locked to prevent ice build-up from damaging the tunnel.  You should check the official Allegheny Trail Alliance pageexternal link  to find out exactly when the tunnel will be closed. We recommend driving these roads or a shuttle.

Westbound Detours

Frostburg’s WMSRR station to Deal (11.0 Miles)

We wouldn’t want to ride this on a bike; it entails a steep climb up a busy road. There are several outfitters/shuttle services that will take you around this gap.  A least consider a shuttle service from the Frostburg Western Maryland RR station as far as the intersection of Finzel Road and Faugherty Run Road.

Dist Directions for driving
0.0 Leave the Western Md Scenic RR station by climbing a steep 1-block hill to Alt US40 in downtown Frostburg (elevation 2020’)
0.2 Turn right on Main St, Alt US40 (elevation 2020’)
0.9 There’s a good shoulder for 2.5 miles except for an occasional narrow patch or some debris
3.0 Top of Big Savage Mountain (elevation 2850’). Unfortunately, you have to descend (to elevation 2670’) and climb again
3.6 Left on the ramp to go to MD 946 (elevation 2725’). The ramp has a marginal shoulder and a steep climb (to elevation 2790’)
4.2 Turn left, then right on Finzel Rd (MD546, elevation 2760’). The shoulder is narrow but well-paved, and you climb for 0.7 mile more, then follow rolling hills (to elevation 2820’)
7.0 MD/PA state line (elevation 2620’)
7.1 Mason-Dixon campground on the left
7.15 Left on SR2011 (Flaugherty Run Rd, elevation 2600’). Many people restart biking from here. Flaugherty Run road is very low traffic, and mostly down hill to the trail.
9.8 Shirley Hollow Road and the trail underpass. Cross over the trail at this point. Although you might be able to access the trail at this point, the access is down a steep bank, we strongly suggest you continue and ride the extra mile to the Deal trailhead.
10.5 Turn left at the Tee intersection following the sign to Deal. This is SR2006 although it is not marked. The trail is parallel to the road on the left.
11.0 Where SR2006 turns right, continue straight for about 30 yards to the trailhead parking. Turn right on the trail

Deal to Frostburg’s WMSRR station (11.0 miles)

We wouldn't want to ride this on a bike; it entails a steep descent on a busy road. Remember this is a winter time detour and there may be ice and slush on the roads. The climb up to the intersection at Finzel Road and Faugherty Run Road is not particularly steep, it however is a long one. There are several outfitters/shuttle services that will take you around this gap.

Dist Directions for driving
0.0 Turn left off the trail onto the road, alongside the parking lot trailhead.
0.1 Go 30 yards to a stop sign, then continue straight where Deal road comes in from the left. Another 100 yards and you will bend to the right and uphill, traveling parallel to the trail.  
0.5 Turn right onto McKenzie Hollow Rd (SR2011). This is the first road on your right hand side.
1.2 Shirley Hollow Road on your left and the trail underpass straight ahead. Continue straight on the paved road, crossing over the trail.
3.9 Turn left  onto Finzel Rd (SR2011 shortly to become MD546) elevation 2620’.
3.91 Mason-Dixon campground on your right.
4.0 MD/PA state line (elevation 2620’). Follow rolling hills through Finzel (elevation 2520’)
6.8 Turn left on MD946. You're headed for the top of the ramp to Alt US40 (elevation 2790’). The ramp has a marginal shoulder and a steep descent
7.4 At bottom of ramp, turn right on Alt US40 (elevation 2725’). Descend (to elevation 2670’) and climb again. There’s a good shoulder for 2.5 miles except for an occasional narrow patch or some debris
8.0 Top of Big Savage Mountain (elevation 2850’)
10.8 Turn left on Depot St (steep descent) to Western Md Scenic RR station (elevation 2020’). The turn is 2 blocks past the 2nd (Broadway St) light and just before Domino’s and 7-11.
11.0 Western Md Scenic RR station (elevation 1940’)

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