The Nickel Plate Trail is currently under active construction, so beware that any information is only accurate for the date it was written. We rode it in its entirety early November of 2011. We enjoyed it a lot, particularly since the fall leaves at this time were still colorful. While there are many exposed sections, much of it does have trees on one or both sides of the trail. It has a lot of very nice bridges, and the trail is well-maintained. The path is totally paved from the parking at Wallick Road in Peru to the town of Cassville. As of November 2011, the trail offers many rest areas with a bench and trail map sign, and occasionally a picnic table, but it does not have any trail-provided water sources or restrooms. However, there are mini marts or gas stations at or near Bunker Hill, Bennetts Switch, and Cassville. These can be located on Google Maps. We ate lunch at the gas station in Cassville (on Highway 31), which offered very friendly service, a wide variety of hot food, drinks, snacks, and also had indoor tables.

I checked to see if each of the parking areas designated on the maps from nickelplatetrail.org did exist, and they indeed did, although occasionally it seemed they might have been a bit difficult to find in a car with just the maps provided, without better detail or verbal instructions. Each of these can be located on Google Maps, as it shows the intersection of each street name with the Nickel Plate corridor. Note also that many of the parking areas were very small, including the one on Wallick Road, and could potentially fill quickly on weekends with good weather.

One of the trail maps on nickelplatetrail.org could imply that the trail continues through the city of Peru. This part is still under active construction, and an alternate map on that site does provide a street alternative. However, note that as of November 2011, the mile and a half from the city of Peru north to the Lovers Lane Parking is a narrow dirt path on the old rail corridor with a lot of natural debris such as branches, briars, sticks, etc. in the path. There is also one creek crossing that involves negotiating a short but extremely steep path.

We are new to bike riding and have used this trail twice. We started in Cassville and rode 5 miles up and 5 miles back to Cassville. This trail is very well kept and we really like it. We want to work our way up to riding to Peru and back to Cassville. We are an older couple so we have to get used to riding.

Have been on this trail twice, once in the fall (best time to go) and once this spring. Going anytime it is hot can be tortuous as the farm fields seem to grow more heat than crops. The trail is mostly flat except southbound out of Peru but the grade is gentle enough for most people.
This trail can be quite beautiful at certain times of the year and if you want solitude this is the trail for you. Substantial parts are shaded but there are large stretches open to the hot sun so bring sunscreen and plenty of water.
There are some establishments open for trail users in the little town of Bunker Hill but I can't comment on them just yet since I have not visited them.
Overall a great trail!