First I will say this trail is very sunny and has very little shade.

The PA side of the trail is very nice. It's well maintained. The trail is wide and smooth; any issue are marks so you can easy avoid them. It has a number of benches along the path. It is also well mark when it come to miles trailed and miles to the boarder.

I would give this section 4 out of 5 star. The lack of shade and rather plain scenery bring it down but I would expect it to be nicer in the Fall.

The Ohio side was a disappointment. It looks like no one has done any maintenance to the trail since it was paved. The trail is very rough to the point I was afraid I would lose things off my bike from all the dips and bumps on the trail. The cracks in the asphalt have plants growing in them which hide exactly how wide the crack is. Part of the trails was covered with standing water that had been long enough for live to start growing in it. I didn't see any mile marker on the trail nor was it well marker change from trail to city street back to trail. I only saw one bench on this section and it wasn't as nice as the PA side.

I would give this section of trail 1.5 stars out of 5.

Overall I would not travel to use this trail again until the Ohio side of the trail has been repaved. While the PA side is nice and I would re-ride it, the hour trip to the trail doesn't make it worth it unless you can do the full trail.

My wife and I rode the section between Emlenton and the Rockwood tunnel.
The trail is fantastic with great scenery and lots of shade. Normally, I prefer a paved trail over crushed limestone. However, this paved surface seems to have deteriorated over time (bad drainage or tree roots). There are small, but very noticeable ridges (about 1-2") in the asphalt surface that run perpendicular to the trail. They're about 15" apart, so it's like riding down a washboard. Not just in one section, but the entire ride. By FAR the bumpiest trail we've ever been on. We turned around and left.

Nice trail. At Punxsutawney the trail is marked closed in the down town area. We found the trail signs and found the trail again. Other than that , it is a very nice shady trail for a warm summer day.

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.