We rode this trail from Toulon to Princeville today. It was great! The path was very good. It is mostly shaded. Excellent. We stopped in Wyoming on our way back for lunch. Ate at 111 Coffee Shop. Don’t be fooled, this is NOT just a coffee shop. The lunch was delicious. And it is decorated all with bikes! Perfect for us bikers. And check out the bathroom. Cute!!! Can’t wait to do more of the route from Princeville going south.

Unable to travel, my summer sojourn is to ride Indiana's rail trails. I rode the Nickel Plate between Peru and Kokomo (return) and it's my favorite so far. Upon leaving Peru you cross the Wabash but also several smaller streams. Most of this bonus scenery occurs within a third of the distance to Kokomo. The trail is smooth and well maintained. It is well-shaded.
The first portion south of Peru also has a tree canopy -- nice. Downtown Kokomo is a fine place to R&R before heading back. The trails through Kokomo are appealing, there are murals, and you can eat at a converted railway depot. I have driven past Kokomo about 100 times but this my first visit to the spiffed-up downtown. I hope to do the northern portion of the trail -- Peru to Rochester -- on a future trip.

I started at the southern trailhead parking lot (junction of 35 & 931) and rode to Peru and back, so I am only reviewing the southern half of the trail (which seems to be the nicest section according to other reviews I've read). This is a great trail to ride if you want to get away from people and noise and civilization for a while. The trail will take you through farmland and woods, surrounded by a wall of green and a canopy of shade. Many times I just stopped and enjoyed the peace and quiet ... no noise except for the birds, cicadas, and even an occasional rooster off in the distance.
I rode for 25 minutes without passing another biker on the trail. Such a peaceful ride! There are a number of streets to cross, but since you are out in the country, there are rarely any cars.
As many others have mentioned, bring some snacks and plenty of water, as there are no places to stop on the southern half until to you get to Peru. You will pass through a few tiny unincorporated towns that have nothing to offer the thirsty of hungry biker. Also, you may want to douse yourself with bug spray as I was getting pelted in the head with bugs at certain times.
Note: at the southern terminus, they have extended the path to take you into Kokomo, which is good because I was extremely hungry at that time and was able to enjoy the best Reuben sandwich I've ever had at a great Irish pub named Cook McDoogal's.
Need to de-stress? Ride the Nickel Plate!

In my summer tour of Indiana bike trails, I had to experience the infamous Monon Trail. I was not disappointed. It is a well marked, well maintained trail that offers a variety of scenery. The portion that takes you from Westfield south through Carmel is absolutely beautiful: shaded, wide, newly paved. Carmel, Westfield, and Broad Ripple offer many places to stop and eat right along the path. This section is popular and can be a bit busy, however.
The section north of Westfield leading to Sheridan offers a completely different, rural feel. A straight, flat, shaded trail takes you through the middle of farmland as you will see nothing but crops to your right and to your left. It is also very desolate; it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere and you will not see many other people on the path or elsewhere, but a pleasant piece of the trail with some nice views.
If you are interested in conquering two paths in a couple days, you may want to consider doing what I did: I stayed at a Hampton Inn in Westfield (the trail literally passes within 5 feet of the parking lot), rode the Monon in one day. The next day I hopped in the car and headed north to the Nickel Plate trail, which is just a 30 minute drive up Rt. 31 to the southern trailhead. Spent the next day riding the Nickel Plate.

Wife and I went the day after strong storms. One tree down across the trail but we got around it ok. The first part was chipped rock and the second asphalt. I was riding a Trek Domane road bike which handled it well and wife riding a Specialized hybrid that went through without any trouble whatsoever.
Benches ever so often and it was shaded very well with some short stretches of open sky.
Loved this trail.

Starting in Rochester, there’s a section where the deer flys WILL EAT YOU ALIVE. Wife and I have bleeding bites from the flys, the crossings are soooo dangerous!!! Trees are not trimmed and you can’t see the on coming traffic, This is a DANGEROUS trail!!!! Please trim the trails. Otherwise, it’s all paved. Travel at your own risk!!!!

Got on the trail at Rotary Park and headed north. So far worst trail I’ve been on. Very scenic and pretty in some spots, but the trail was so rough and uncared for I could only get 2 miles in before I had to turn back.

Great paved trail. Very peaceful and quiet, and it would be an easy ride for families with children. Very scenic if you really pay attention toon to all the wildlife and flowers.

Rode the trail July 13. I agree with other riders. Trail is smooth and very well maintained. Someone has even painted distance marks on the pavement every 10th of a mile! Do not expect restrooms or water along the trail.