The trail is convenient to get on with lots of access points. Most of the portion I rode was paved and smooth trail. The north end was pretty ruff. My biggest complaint is that you have to stop every half mile to cross a major road and many didnt have crosswalks. Didnt like having to dart quickly across 4 lanes of traffic. Lots of goatheads as well. Every time I rode this path I seemed to pick up 2 or 3 in the tires

We connected this with the parallel Queen Creek Wash. Trail just north to make a nice ~14 mile loop, parking at the Chapman Horse Arena. This was flat and very do-able, especially compared to other trails in the NW Valley where we live and a stark contrast to the canal trails in Phoenix that have broken glass, trash and are dotted with belongings of transient/homeless. Not busy at all and borders agricultural/equestrian real estate. Could use signage on whether to use cross-overs or continue on trail (straight).

This loop is accomplishable BUT with current construction for major shopping complex at Ellsworth and Riggs traveling N/S, it is not advisable. Bike lane is non-existent in places and no sidewalk in others so no kids on that part! Traveling down Power Road (at the other end, connecting with QC, it is a beautiful sidewalk AND bike lanes. Queen Creek is working hard to be welcoming AND improving the quality of life for their residents. Sure will look forward to returning when construction is finished and path is potentially extended!
NOTE: Either take Maricopa Trail (not paved!) from Parking Lot at the West end or go across Riggs to where the actually paved trail is to avoid the gravel and dirt.

We connected this with the parallel Sono. Trail jut south to make a nice ~14 mile loop, parking at the Chapman Horse Arena. This was DELIGHTFUL, especially compared to other trails in the NW Valley where we live and a stark contrast to the canal trails in Phoenix that have broken glass, trash and are dotted with belongings of transient/homeless. Busy early on a Saturday morning but people were friendly! Primarily residential and foresee that Queen Creek may well extend this as the population continues to explode. VERY NICE and kudos to the city for this amazing amenity!

Worth the drive from Phoenix to do this. Got off at Ina and left from the first parking lot. Went all the way to Craycroft where we thought the trail ended (it looks like it) don’t be fooled go up, cross over and it keeps going and going. We went 20+ and turned around. Delightful! Enough bathrooms. Options for lunch if you go off path and go to a main road. Seating areas in the shade for a break. Lots of cyclists on a weekday hot morning.

Flat for the most part, just long enough at 10 miles round trip! Some nice views too.

EAST of I-10, this is a nice, mostly-paved trail, and you will enjoy the company of may cyclists and joggers. I especially enjoyed the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. It's a great little detour off the path, with its own network of rideable dirt paths, families, and lots of birds. This section of the path also goes right through the commercial heart of Gilbert, with many nice restaurants. It also connects to the very nice Consolidated Canal paved path, running north-south. This is a nice path for any kind of bicycle, as well as for walking and running. Every road crossing of any size has a dedicated crosswalk and signal.

WEST of I-10 is the rough dirt/gravel path along the canal. It's a somewhat depressed area of Phoenix. It doesn't connect to other paths, and there are few amenities. Not a good path for a road bike of any kind. Most crossings have no markings or signals. On a recent nice-weather day, I saw no other bikers (but plenty of wanderers that I gave a wide berth).

For the WESTERN stretch, there is a partially-paved alternative east-west path about a mile to the south (south of Baseline Road). The asphalt (in early 2021) is not in a good state of repair, but you will have the company of a few cyclists and joggers.

IN BETWEEN the EAST and WEST is the freeway crossing at Baseline Road. This is a very busy intersection at all times, with lots of turning traffic. Dangerous.

I'd stick with the EASTERN stretch of the "Western" Canal Path.

February 22, 2021 First time on the Consolidated Bike Trail and our best AZ ride. We 78 & 79 bike the full 39 miles starting from Stadium parking lot to Riggs Road and back. We enjoyed the scenery including parks, residential sections, and rural landscape. We saw turtles in the canal as well as a heron and lots if fish. The ducks on the trail absolutely refused to move for riders so we went around them!! 75 degrees out!! Cleand well maintained trail. We will be back.

I have logged literally 1000s of miles on this path both day and night, from Craycroft to Marana and have always felt safe. Gorgeous views and friendly people.

Really was looking forward to having a path to skate on that was connected to my neighborhood (Near Val Vista and Williams Field) but so much of this area is dirt or gravel, it would not be possible. Even the areas that are paved can be rough, or are laden with loose rocks, problematic if you’re riding on smaller wheels like on roller skates. This would otherwise be a nice trail if it were consistent smooth pavement, but for me I have to go elsewhere for skating. It is also worth noting you will encounter many busy roads to cross, so if you are learning to skate or want to move at a slow pace such as with children or the like, I would recommend Queen Creek or Sonoqui Wash trails to the south.