I absolutely loved this trail overall! I felt like i was riding through a state forest with nice fresh asphalt pavement.

ITINERARY
I started in Lisbon at the end point. Rode on Maple Ave to the dedicated trailhead. There are at least 12 road crossings!! And at least 2 occasions you ride with traffic on dog legs to get to the trail again. In Leetonia you ride in town to connect to the last leg of the trail which really isn’t worth it.

CONCLUSION
I feel so bad for 3 stars when i loved my time and would absolutely go back but pretty ridiculous for a rail-trail to be so difficult to stay on, they should really invest in a way to separate the trail from the road where the trail dog legs and 12+ road crossings on a 12 mile trail….. Thankfully on a hot and sunny Saturday afternoon traffic wasn’t bad, i only had to stop 2x’s but about half of the road crossings are 55 mph state routes and definitely could be dangerous if you’re not paying attention.

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

Rode 2 miles from the Shinnston terminus. Trail was in excellent condition to that point. They are presently digging up the trail to lay down a sewer line toward Shinnston. About 3 inches of fine gravel sits on the trail north and is currently un-bikeable.

I have ridden the WFRT prior to this construction and found it to be minimally traveled, and in good to excellent shape. Here is hoping they restore it to at least that, if not lay an asphalt base.

Saw this trail on rails to trails site and decided to drive 1.5 hours to try. I parked in Jewett. It was freshly paved and was able to ride 10.6 of the 11.2 miles. The reason I did not ride the last .6 miles was it was being paved at that moment. I think this trail would be a great fall trail when the leaves change. Most of the trail is in the woods.
There are plenty of shelters if it rains. Also covered bridges, benches, and some nearby convenience stores. Also an ice cream stand at the halfway point in Scio. I will go back in the fall. Rpd1

My first time on this trail. I parked at the Leetonia trailhead and enjoyed a relatively flat ride with subtle inclines which was a nice change of pace. I did find one small stretch of trail that was a little bumpy but only lasted for about 75 yds. I will be back!

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.