Junction and Breakwater Rail Trail:
Delaware
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Description:
This beautiful, pine-studded rail-trail winds through Cape Henlopen State Park next to wetlands and farmland, offering a break from the nearby beaches and eclectic shopping areas. The trail runs from Wolfe Neck in Lewes to the town of Rehoboth Beach and provides a perfect nature retreat.
The trail is mostly crushed stone, except for the last 0.2 mile near Rehoboth, when it becomes asphalt. As it is well-traveled by locals and tourists alike, be sure to remember your trail etiquette. You will be sharing the mostly flat route with bicyclists, walkers, runners, wheelchair users, and families with strollers and dogs.
Pick up the trail at Wolfe Glade (off Wolfe Neck Road), a forested area of oak, hemlock, and pines. Turn left to head 0.6 mile to the trail's end, or turn right to head toward Rehoboth Beach. Along the way, the trail offers views of wetlands, especially at Holland Glade, via a refurbished 80-foot railroad bridge built in 1913. Continue farther and you'll find yourself flanked by cornfields and forests. Hawks, geese (both snow and Canada geese) can be spotted in the air, and deer, squirrels, and other small woodland animals share the trail.
At the trail's southern end, Tanger Outlets provides bargain hunters with an opportunity to break from the trail, shop the mall, and grab a bite to eat before heading back into the relative calm of the Junction and Breakwater Trail.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach Wolfe Neck, take State Route 1 to Lewes. If traveling north on Route 1, turn right onto Wolfe Neck Road. (If you are traveling south on Route 1, you will need to pass this turn and take a U-turn at the next traffic light in order to access Wolfe Neck Road. You can also go slightly farther south on Route 1 and turn left onto Munchy Branch Road, which you follow as it curves to the left until it hits Wolfe Neck Road.) You will see the Wolfe House on your right, where parking, restrooms, and a water fountain can be found next to the 0.2-mile path leading to the trail.
To reach the trail's end, from Rehoboth, take Route 1 toward the Tanger Outlets (36470 Seaside Outlet Drive in Rehoboth Beach). There is a bike/pedestrian path from the parking lot of the Tanger Outlets (look between the buildings in the middle) to the actual trail.
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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B & A Trail
By phylalgo on August 12, 2009
Sent review previously in ordinary e-mail because this link was not working. We rode from small parking area just across road from trailhead. Date was approx 8/04/09. Trail surface was excellent over the seven plus miles to ranger's station. There was water available near the trailhead, and also at the station. Scenery was disappointing, mostly peoples backyards, and high foliage five to ten feet from edge of trail. There were quite a few road crossings, but all except two were not busy with traffic. The rangers advised us that we had seen the best part of the trail, and since the temperature was about 90 and the humidity almost the same, we returned to our car, and rode to the trail end opposite the Naval Academy. That view was impressive, but we didn't see a trail leading into the small park under the bridge. We presumed that the trail was the shoulder of the roadway, and since it was now rush hour, vehicular traffic was heavy in all directions. Must comment that one small community about a mile south of ranger station has erected several benches for trail users. We presume that food and drink is available nearby. Good hearted people must live there.
Extension to Lewes by June
By John Boyle on January 07, 2007
The Delaware Department of Transportation announced that the Junction and Breakwater Trail will be extended to Gills Neck Rd. in Lewes by the end of May 2007. This will finally provide a bypass of busy Route 1.
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