This is a very long trail. Only did a part of if , on a beautiful summer day. completed 28 round trip miles before it got super hot.

Started in Cumberland and headed west. Complete glide back to Cumberland

I feel other reviews and pictures tell the story but a couple notes from my 2 day trek on the entire trail.

1. From the north side by the airport until Library it is a dedicated trail that is maintained well and has picnic tables, benches, (towards the middle) 2 free primitive camping areas, and portajohns. Completely dedicated portion is almost 40 miles. After Library the trail bounces between dedicated trail and riding on the road. I turned around at Library…. (Bad reviews probably came from section after Library)

2. The Panhandle Trail Connector has a parking lot right beside McDonald and is exactly in the middle of the dedicated portion of the trail. Perfect spot to ride north section and back one day. And south and back the 2nd day.

3. This is an awesome trail! It has wooded areas, hillsides, beautified urban areas, industry, multiple tunnels, spectacular bridge overlooks throughout, and you’re never too far away from lunch or ice cream or cell service. What more could you want????

my son and i rode this trail over 3 days camping along the way at West Newton & Confluence. this trail is peaceful and quiet once out of Pittsburgh. The people in all the towns are social and glad to help in anyway needed. The trail has plenty of places to rest and relax. you follow rivers probably 120 of the 150 miles

Biked from Library to Hendersonville and back, mile markers 35 to 25. Trail surface is asphalt paved then goes to crushed limestone, then back to paved, then limestone. For the most part this trail section of 10 miles is in very good condition. Some wooded areas provided welcomed shade on a hot sunny day. Saw a few deer. At about mile marker 30 there is a storage place with awesome old signs, two old firetrucks, a restored caboose and interesting information on the former railroad. Trail services in Library just off the trail, a few places to eat. In Hendersonville along the trail there is a bike shop which offers bike rental and service also has pizza and cold drinks. In Hendersonville is a large trailhead with parking for many. Passed a few small trailheads along the way as well. Great ride on this stretch and will return to ride on more of this trail.

Rode this with my buddy in late July and this was a very nice trail. We started in Freeport and rode to Butler and back - 40.4 miles. If I could I would give this a 4.5 rating. Pay no attention to some of the other reviewers negatives, especially the part about bringing your own water. It's a rail trail - we all know to bring our own water. Very few trails have reliable sources of water along them. The trail has recently been worked on and is in excellent shape from Freeport until the final extension into Butler - maybe the last 4 miles or so. It is a nice wide, smooth path except those 4 miles which are narrower, not quite single track. More like 1 1/2 track - you can pass other bikers but it's a bit tight. I knocked off a star for that and the lack of amenities. There is nothing along the trail except the Derailleur Cafe somewhat midpoint and maybe a restaurant in a caboose that didn't appear to be open. On the plus side, it is very wooded so that helps on a sunny day. As other reviewers have said, it is uphill both ways to a high point closer to Butler. All-in-all, a good ride.

I've ridden both segments of this trail many, many times. The eastern segment (Delmont -- Slckville) is somewhat challenging, scenic, and fun. That can't be said for the western segment (Export -- Trafford) because there are just too many walkers who are pushing baby strollers, or walking four abreast, or ignoring trail courtesies. I rode this western part over 20 times in 2020; even more in 2019. I rode it once this year. That's all for me until we get a chilly day in November when most of the walkers aren't using the trail.
Please note that ALL of us have a right to use the trail. But, with rights come responsibilities.

This trail is way too short for biking. It might be about 4 miles of real trail until you get to share roads with motor vehicles, and of course, that is not fun. The trail at this point is not clearly marked. One could get lost trying to find some of the roads to share.

I tried the trail without investigating it. That was a bad idea. I like to ride at least 25 miles. This was woefully disappointing.

I parked in Champion and rode south to a few miles beyond Indian Head to where the trail stops. Trail was in good condition. Trail surface was on the rough side. I rode my hybrid bike, but my mountain bike is probably more suitable. Nearly 100% of the trail is in the woods and provides great shade from the sun. This would be a trail to see in the fall with the changing colors. Ought to be beautiful!