We visited this trail on a cloudless Sunday in September. It was mainly flat and entirely paved if you head north from the parking area off of Starkey Av. The description provided by TrailLink is spot on. South from the parking lot on Starkey it is crush stone for about a 1/2 mile before it ends.

This would be a great trail during the fall and we may return. It was lightly used that day and the pavement was in very good condition with just one or two spots where cracks/bumps are starting to form. It terminates at a small park to the north (or you can park there and head south). My 9-year old rode the whole way with no issues. Really a fun, easy, relaxing trail to walk, run, or bike.

Great riding trail. The paved portion is actually about 6.2 miles end-to-end.

This trail is quiet, smooth & mostly shaded. There’s a few spots to venture off the trail to clock a few extra miles. It smells like autumn with leaves beginning to fall. Several benches and a bridge also provide a nice place to stop and enjoy the scenery. There’s even a book box, a fairy garden and a beautiful mural to enjoy as well. Looking forward to it growing longer!

Rode this trail 2020 August...trail is well maintained and in good shape. Bathroom at start of trail only in Winamac, however, you do go through a couple of other small towns with bars and restaurants which would have bathrooms, as well the trail is heavily wooded for the most part. Trail has a couple of nice bridges over rivers with seating/resting ares. Half the 22mi tail parallels Hwy 35, being approx 25 yards off same...so you have a lot of traffic noise. The trail ends basically in the middle of nowhere, with a picnic table, bike rake, and no bathroom or anything else. However, nice trail will ride again.

This was a great ride. I rode from Kokomo to Peru and back. There was a lot shade, very peaceful and it was not crowded at all. I look forward to riding it again.

I enjoyed my ride on the Panhandle Pathway, but to be honest, there is really nothing unique or special about the trail that would make me want to go back and ride it again. It is straight as an arrow and offers little shade, so you may want to ride on a cooler day or one that has some cloud cover. There are some nice views of farms, but no towns to stop in along the trail. Even Winamac doesn't have a whole lot to offer for places to eat, etc. I guess the main use of such a trail would be exercise or training; there were not many other bikers on the path. The one thing I did enjoy as I rode in early August is the huge variety of butterflies fluttering around the flowers that line the path. That went on for many miles.

Great summer trail! Lots of trees to block wind, especially the further south you go. Heading south the trail ended in Peru, IN but if you have access to mapping software on your phone just head to Western Reman Industrial on the corner of West 7th and North Chestnut and you'll soon be back on the Nickel Plate headed south. I didn't come across a lot of traffic at the intersections until Peru but best to slow down and look. At night the crossings are a lot more quiet. Very well kept trail with only a few spots in need of work and only one construction patch (watch for the cones) just north of Bunker Hill. Looking forward to riding this one again.

First time on the trail, in late July 2020. A great ride. As reported, it was peaceful with light traffic. The trail was smooth; did not notice trees or weeds in the way, but obviously necessary to take care at intersections. Anxious to return and see the south half.

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.