Not a very easy trail, rail 66 is only a few miles away. Recommend a mountain bike.

Many blind road crossing, crushed limestone surface needs redone.

Despite the Covid 19 pandemic, people were out and about safely enjoying the trail practicing social distancing. A beautiful country trail.

My son and I have hiked this trail a couple times. It is wonderful. Beautiful Allegheny river views, waterfalls and an eagles nest are some of the many things to see. Would highly recommend!

Stayed at the Barnard House B&B in Emlenton and rode my High Wheel up to franklin and back. Great trail.
All nice asphalt, but there is about 1/4 to 1/2 mile of gravel because the land owners didn't want the trail to go through their yards, so it had to make a detour around the properties. Not a big issue if you are riding a trail bike. But a road bike is possible. I had to walk my High Wheel on that section. There are two very long, VERY DARK tunnels so you need a good strong light to use to stay on the asphalt. I will be going back in June 2020 to do the trail, stay at the B&B and also do the Blues n BBQ event in franklin.

I've hiked the entire trail from end to end. It's not an easy hike. The trail has been neglected for years, but has recently been adopted by a few locals who are working hard to get it back in shape. There are areas on the west end that have been rerouted due to beaver dams flooding the area. Follow the diamonds and look for orange ribbons to guide you. There are areas of heavy blow-down which have been cleaned up, but you'll find yourself climbing and ducking a bit. There's a camp site at the top of the hill that overlooks the valley below and another at Coon Run. Both are great for camping overnight or just a day stop. Most of the trail on the east end has been marked for night hiking as well. During winter months the TL Rec area is closed so you won't be able to park at the campground. You can park at Seven Mile Road, hike 2 miles east to the Twin Lakes Campground and walk around the lake (it's beautiful at night, bring a headlamp). Or you can travel west from this parking spot and continue onto the remaining 14+ miles of trail. There is another parking spot along Route 66 just south of James City (on the left). And a few others along forest roads 152 and 133. There are plenty of natural springs along the trail, keep your eyes open for these, as they are not yet marked with signs. I suggest hiking smaller sections of this trail (out and back) if you have never hiked it. But it would make a great 2-day backpacking trip too! Park one vehicle at Twin Lakes Rec Area (during open season) get dropped off along FR 133 at the NCT trailhead. You'll be hiking almost 19 miles from start to finish, including the two connecting trails on each end.

We walked a bit more than half the trail from Kinzua Bridge today and it's one of the best designed and maintained we've encountered. We plan to go back to hike from the Mount Jewett end tomorrow to finish the whole length. We'll be adding it to our list of Rails-to-Trails donations each year going forward.

As a bonus, as we were hiking in the woods along the trail, a train travelled the current rails, not far off. I love having an actual train running nearby when I'm hiking rail trails, so a great day after Thanksgiving hike.

Ran the first few miles at dusk down from St Marys starting point after early winter snow flurries. Great ambiance as snow dampered sounds.
First half mile definitely wet (water up to the ankle at times) until one reached the better maintained section.
Very gentle slope uphill on the way back did not penalize speed.

We rode the ART south from Franklin as the last segment of a ride from Titusville via the Oil Creek and Justus Trails. The paved surface made it easy-going (until the detour at MP13), and the scenery was beautiful. As has been said in previous reviews, there's a definite dearth of facilities away from the towns. Even a bench here and there to take a break at would be an improvement. It is possible to ride the unimproved section of the trail south of Emlenton, but be warned that trail conditions rapidly deteriorate from gravel to rock, to dirt, and then inches-thick mud before you're greeted by a chain across the path and "No Trespassing" signs about two miles in. At this point, you're only about a mile from Foxburg, so hopefully the ART folks can work it out with whoever controls the property or properties to be able to close that gap.