Big Savage Tunnel


The Big Savage Tunnel is a formerly abandoned railway tunnel located about southeast of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. It as well as the Pinkerton Tunnel, Borden Tunnel, and Brush Tunnel are part of the Great Allegheny Passage rail trail. It was originally built for the Connellsville subdivision of the Western Maryland Railway.

Origin of the name

The mountain and tunnel are named for John Savage, an early surveyor who narrowly avoided becoming a victim of cannibalism in the area in 1736. While he was surveying the land in the wintertime, the circumstances became dire and he offered himself up as food, but the rest of the survey party declined.

Renovated for Great Allegeny Passage bicycle trail

The tunnel was renovated for use on the Great Allegheny Passage trail. It is the longest tunnel on the trail.
The tunnel is closed between roughly December 15 and April 10 each winter to protect it from icing damage.