This trail has been a great addition to the Shenango Valley and offers a great alternative location for road runners and trail runners alike. The 2.5 mile paved / unpaved section is flat as a pancake and offers a great opportunity for some fast paced running for the experienced runner or a very easy route for the novice. The trail head in Sharpsville offers approximately 1.25 miles of wooded running while the rest is open to the elements as it heads towards the northern end of the current trail. The Army Corps of Engineers recently completed some maintenance on the Shenango River dam which allowed the middle, previously unimproved, section of the trail to now have a nice crushed limestone or some thick compacted material. This surface is great to run on and is a great alternative to macadam / pavement. The improvements by the Corps of Engineers also added a 700+ meter loop that attaches to the trail and scoops along the reservoir and also offers a short extension down to the waters edge. This additional loop is a great option aesthetically as well as for those looking for a nice place for the runner to do some repeat 700's or lesser distance. For those looking to add some distance to a longer run, there is single track trail that traverses for a short distance up the side of the ravine and attaches onto another paved trail to goes into and throughout Pierce Bluffs (a residential community on the top of the ravine). In addition, for those looking for more of a true trail experience, there is parallel trail / old rail bed, closer to the reservoir that starts at the north end of the previously mentioned loop...it can be accessed from a small trail coming off of the managed trail about 100 meters north of where the loop ends. This trail is unmanaged, but is flat and easy to run...there are a few fallen trees to go over and a few that have been cut out of the way apparently in the distant past...but this trail is totally and easily usable throughout the year. It loops back upon the paved trail approximately 200 meters past the Trout Island parking lot but also offers some smaller offshoot trails that eventually lead you to a way to get to Mahaney Recreation area and there are also alternative ways to get to Shenango River RV park which is a nice place to run in the off-season, especially winter, due to its solitude.

This trail has ample parking and is a great place for out and back off-road running. In good weather there are usually people on the trail but I can always run around them along the wide side shoulder. Out and back is about 5 miles which is about the limit of my abilities for a days run. I can always shorten this length though if I am not feeling up to the challenge. The main parking area is at a plaza that has two convenient places to eat; a wonderful sub sandwich shop and a quaint deli, so food and drink are readily available.

I neglected to choose a rating with my original review.The Trout Island Trail deserves 5 stars!!

Access to the trail is near the intersection of South Mercer Avenue and East Main Street in Sharpsville in southwest Mercer County, Pennsylvania, close to the cities of Sharon and Hermitage. Park in the little shopping plaza down the hill from the trailhead on the left and visit Lock, Stock and Barrel or DiLorenzo's for lunch. Another access point with parking is found along Trout Island Road (also called Township Road 573). You can see the trail marked as a railroad track on Google Maps. The improved part follows along the Shenango River, providing glimpses of the river, beaver ponds, and wetlands along the way. Phase one of about 2.5 miles is paved except for a short, unpaved section in the middle. The unpaved section is free of debris and can be easily bicycled on a hybrid bike. We walked the trail on August 28, 2010 and found it to be beautiful in every way. The scenery, the solitude and the location can't be beat. Congratulations to the folks who have worked for many years toward the goal of developing this recreation trail. Great job!!