Cumberland Narrows, Water gap in Allegany County, Maryland, United States.
Cumberland Narrows is a water gap carved between Wills Mountain and Haystack Mountain, with Wills Creek running through the center of this narrow passage. The rocky walls rise steeply on both sides, creating a tight corridor that cuts directly through the Allegheny Mountains.
General Edward Braddock discovered this natural passage in 1755 while leading colonial troops on a military campaign in the Ohio River Valley. The gap later became a crucial route for trade and westward expansion across the mountains.
The Wills Mountain Inn operated as a 46-room resort on the northern side of the gap until a fire destroyed the structure in 1930.
Modern highways cross through the passage on Interstate 68 and U.S. Route 40, allowing straightforward travel through the mountains. The best way to observe the rock formations is from these routes, particularly by stopping at roadside viewpoints.
A rock formation called Lover's Leap stands prominently at the southern end of Wills Mountain within the gap. This distinctive outcrop catches the eye of travelers passing through on the highway.
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