No this trail is not paved or smooth but if you enjoy more of a path then pavement, you will enjoy this one. During periods of rain the trail does have sections with standing water ....but we wear our sandals and it's fun.

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.

Short trail but leads you straight to the beach!

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.

The ride is very enjoyable. It is more scenery at the Nile town area along the river. There are quite a few benches along the trial just in case you want to sit down for short break.

I’m more of a road rider, but picked up a gravel bike recently and this trail really put me and the bike through our paces. Up to 10 inch deep puddles of stagnant water along with mud sections, the full trail is not for the faint of heart.

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.