Explore the best rated trails in Elsmere, DE. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Royersford Riverfront Trail and Limerick Trail. With more than 122 trails covering 639 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Tyler State Park, located in Newtown, Pennsylvania, covers over 1,700 acres on the grounds of an old farm in a charming woodland setting. The park features a network of interconnected trails,...
Located in Media Borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Ridley Creek State Park encompasses over 2,600 acres of woodlands and meadows. The park is only 16 miles from Center City, Philadelphia, but...
The short Stockton Station Rail-Trail runs through a city park in Camden between Westfield Avenue and Pleasant Street. The path follows an old railroad corridor, and the park itself was once the site...
Since it opened as a railroad spur in the 1800s, this pretty trail has always been about connections. In 1834 the Philadelphia and Trenton Railroad launched the spur to carry goods from Bristol,...
This trail is not offically part of the Lancaster County Park system. It runs next to the Conestoga River at Sunnyside. The one end of the trail is at Lancaster County Central Park. Although there is...
The John N. Balis Bikeway is a half-mile paved trail along a former rail corridor that now serves as an electrical transmission right of way in the suburban community of Runnemede. The southern end...
The Pennypack Trail travels through wooded parks in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties along Pennypack Creek, which derives its name from a local American Indian term for a slow-moving creek....
Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous; please refer to the interactive maps on the websites in the Related Content section. The D&L Trail runs for more than 140 miles through...
Located in northern Manheim Township, the Brighton-Reidenbaugh Park Trail is a link in the suburban Lancaster County municipality's growing network of multi-use trails. The trail consists of 3...
The Exeter Scenic River Trail traces the north bank of the Schuylkill River. The tree-lined route provides views of the river and runs to the Klapperthal Trail at the base of Neversink Mountain. Visit...
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The Darby Creek Trail winds along a wooded creek through the western neighborhoods of Haverford Township, just outside of Philadelphia. The trail's southern end is anchored by Merry Place, a...
Although relatively short at 1.8 miles, the Muhlenberg Rail Trail extends the ability of residents to exercise or visit local parks, schools, and businesses under their own power. The asphalt trail...
The Hunters Crossing and Brayton Garden trails form a paved, multi-use greenway that extends 2.7 miles from the Country Square Shopping Center in Quakertown to Dovecote Drive immediately south of...
Philadelphia's MLK Drive Trail offers a paved 4-mile route along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive that's popular for both transportation and recreation. The trail begins near the Philadelphia Art Museum...
Caution: On April 12, 2018, a fire severely damaged the Martic Forge Trestle, which runs over Pequea Creek and River Road on the Enola Low Grade Trail. Access to the trail going west from the Route...
The Frankford Creek Greenway, which opened in 2018, offers a 1.2-mile paved pathway, running from Aramingo Avenue and Wheatsheaf Lane to Delaware Avenue and Lewis Street. At its southern end, it...
Part of Limerick Township's ambitious plans to build a network of multi-use greenways, the paved Limerick Trail currently extends nearly 2 miles through the southeastern PA municipality. The trail...
With the 32-acre Poquessing Valley Park and the 500 acres of parkland of the Benjamin Rush State Park, it’s easy to feel like far Northeast Philly is fortunate when it comes to green space. But the...
Although currently less than a half mile in length, the Royersford Riverfront Trail is a lush, shaded linear park situated between 1st Ave. and the Schuylkill River. Highlights on the paved trail...
The mile-long Lindenfield Parkway Trail is part of Chalfont's burgeoning trail network. It extends down the grassy median of the street for which it is named from Main Street to Micheal Lane, then...
Part of Manheim Township's growing greenway network, the paved, multi-use trail begins at the access road to the Manheim Township Community Park and loops around athletic fields and a playground at...
Although less than 2 miles, the Port Richmond Trail—a key component of the North Delaware River Greenway—provides an important connection between northeast Philadelphia and the Delaware River. It's...
Located in Kennett Township, the Parrish Trail follows the West Branch of the Red Clay Creek from Pennock Park south, currently ending off Chandler Mill Road just south of its intersection with...
United States Avenue Trail, which is also know locally as the "Green Trail" travels through a primarily wooded landscape between Foster Avenue and Egg Harbor Road in Gibbsboro, New Jersey. At the...
Although relatively short at 1.8 miles, the Muhlenberg Rail Trail extends the ability of residents to exercise or visit local parks, schools, and businesses under their own power. The asphalt trail...
The Blue Marsh Lake Multi-Use Trail loops around a manmade reservoir just outside of Reading in southeastern Pennsylvania. The trail has a mixture of surfaces (hard-packed dirt, grass, gravel and...
The Swamp Forest Trail loops through Lums Pond State Park on a packed earth surface that accommodates hikers and cyclists. The trail is the shorter of two loops; the Little Jersey Trail runs closer to...
A part of Manheim Township's network of multi-use greenways, the mile-long Kissel Hill Commons Trail extends across the mixed use subdivision for which it is named in the suburbs north of...
The Chester Valley Trail provides opportunities for recreation and alternative transportation in the congested commercial center at the northern edge of Greater Philadelphia. The paved rail-trail...
The James F. Hall Trail—a rail-with-trail—packs a lot into a short stretch: Its paved surface is great for bicycling, in-line skating, and strolling, and there are multiple playgrounds, picnic areas,...
Constructed as part of the Belmont subdivision/Shoppers At Belmont mixed use development, the Belmont Trail is part of Manheim Township's growing network of multi-use greenways and the latest of...
The Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail offers urban connections to the University of Delaware campus, Newark Shopping Center, DART Transit Hub and the downtown area, as well as the recreational amenities...
Located in Media Borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Ridley Creek State Park encompasses over 2,600 acres of woodlands and meadows. The park is only 16 miles from Center City, Philadelphia, but...
Completed in the summer of 2016, Sullivan's Bridge and the adjacent trail provide access from the Schuylkill River Trail, Betzwood Park and the section of Valley Forge National Historic Park north of...
Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous; please refer to the interactive maps on the websites in the Related Content section. The D&L Trail runs for more than 140 miles through...
This trail connects the historic Thomas Leiper House (built in 1785) to Smedley Park, hence its name. The 2-mile multipurpose trail is mostly shaded as it winds through the Crum Creek Valley and zigs...
The John Heinz Refuge Trail and various footpaths at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum stand in stark contrast to the urban setting that surrounds this refuge. At different points on this...
Although just 1.4 miles long, the 58th Street Greenway is an important connector in the southwestern Philadelphia neighborhood of Kingsessing. Although most of the greenway is off-road trail, note...
Since it opened as a railroad spur in the 1800s, this pretty trail has always been about connections. In 1834 the Philadelphia and Trenton Railroad launched the spur to carry goods from Bristol,...
The K&T Trail, also known as the Kensington & Tacony Trail for the former railroad line on which is runs, spans a mile along the Delaware River in Philadelphia. Beginning at the Frankford Arsenal Boat...
The Riverview Trail makes a loop through Fox Point State Park along the Delaware River in Wilmington. The trail circles an open field along the west bank of the river.
Located in northern Manheim Township, the Brighton-Reidenbaugh Park Trail is a link in the suburban Lancaster County municipality's growing network of multi-use trails. The trail consists of 3...
Although relatively short at 1.8 miles, the Muhlenberg Rail Trail extends the ability of residents to exercise or visit local parks, schools, and businesses under their own power. The asphalt trail...
Although the Neshaminy Creek Greenway is only about a half mile long, big things are in its future. One day, the greenway could span as much as 33 miles, reaching the Delaware River. Currently, the...
Maryland's Susquehanna State Park is recognized for challenging hiking and biking trails, camping facilities, rock outcroppings, boating, a museum and restored historical sites. But none of these...
Although just 1.4 miles long, the 58th Street Greenway is an important connector in the southwestern Philadelphia neighborhood of Kingsessing. Although most of the greenway is off-road trail, note...
The Little Jersey Trail loops through Lums Pond State Park on a wide, packed earth surface that accommodates hikers, cyclists and equestrians. The trail is the longer of two loops; the Swamp Forest...
Envisioned as a multi-use trail that will eventually connect the Thun Trail section of the Schuylkill River Trail in Union Township in southeast Berks County to the towns of Elverson and St. Peters in...
The Maurice River Bikeway Trail provides access to shops, recreational parks, and riverside riding all in one. Starting behind the city hall, travelers will be just off the river on Ware Avenue in...
Reading's Neversink Connector Trail is a short paved pathway that branches off the Thun Trail, a 18-mile section of the Schuylkill River Trail. It begins near the Reading Area Community College and...
The Chester Valley Trail provides opportunities for recreation and alternative transportation in the congested commercial center at the northern edge of Greater Philadelphia. The paved rail-trail...
With the 32-acre Poquessing Valley Park and the 500 acres of parkland of the Benjamin Rush State Park, it’s easy to feel like far Northeast Philly is fortunate when it comes to green space. But the...
The Lake Galena Park Hike & Bike Trail (alternatively the Peace Valley Park Hike & Bike Trail) offers 6 miles of blacktop along the shores of Lake Galena, just north of Doylestown in eastern...
Part of Manheim Township's growing network of multi-use greenways, the Manheim Township Bikeway begins off Kissel Hill Road, immediately north of the intersection with Landis Valley Road. Heading...
Tyler State Park, located in Newtown, Pennsylvania, covers over 1,700 acres on the grounds of an old farm in a charming woodland setting. The park features a network of interconnected trails,...
The John N. Balis Bikeway is a half-mile paved trail along a former rail corridor that now serves as an electrical transmission right of way in the suburban community of Runnemede. The southern end...
The historical Ben Franklin Bridge, opened in 1926, offers expansive city skyline views and is itself a stunning structure. The iconic suspension bridge once included two streetcar tracks in addition...
Visitors to northwestern Philadelphia can acquaint themselves with the parks that surround Wissahickon Creek on a nearly 9-mile system of multiuse trails. In the north, the Wissahickon Trail (also...
The Union Canal Trail runs along the Tulpehocken Creek from the city of Reading up to Blue Marsh Lake in Leesport. The trail makes up a segment of the 71.7-mile Schuylkill River Trail in southeastern...
The Warwick Township Linear Park Trail is a joint project of Warwick Township and Lititz borough. The pathway extends from Market Street north, following the Santo Domingo Creek, to Newport Road....
We saw 14 species of birds. Macadam trail. Has small hills. Runs behind development. There is a stream with a bridge going over. Nice trail. Close to home.
Nice ride along this part of the trail. Beautiful views of the Lehigh River and along the canal. Some color on the foliage is looking awesome. Road our EBikes round trip 29 miles.
For parking set you GPS to 635 Chester Creek Rd. Brookhaven PA for one end of the trail. The published Knowlton parking address is incorrect. Parking at the other end can be found, as noted, at 426-436 Lenni Rd. Aston PA. There is also parking near Mt Alverna Rd and Iris Ln in Media PA.
Great short ride for a sixty year old rider like myself, not too many hills, pleasant surroundings and good people.
Had fun biking it, but didn’t expect the challenge. Rode the longer Little Jersey trail first, which was pretty smooth and flat. This trail is not smooth. Wife crashed 3 times. Not a rail trail. Gotta have some rough trail mountain biking experience to safely negotiate entire trail.
A crucial part to the ongoing redevelopment of the Philadelphia waterfront, the Delaware River Trail takes cyclists and walkers past a variety of environments and attractions over its relatively short length.
As of Oct. 2020, the trail is comprised of 3 formal, designated segments, linked by sidewalks along Christopher Columbus Blvd. The sidewalk between Washington Ave. and Penn's Landing Road is currently being upgraded to a trail, with the portion from Penn's Landing to Spring Garden St. slated to follow in the next couple years. When finished, there will be a continuous, multi-use greenway extending from Fishtown south to Pier 68, forming part of the Circuit Network and linking Center City via the Spring Garden Street Greenway and Camden, NJ via the Ben Franklin Bridge.
The northern segment of the trail begins at Penn Treaty Park in the Fishtown neighborhood. Constructed on the site where city and PA founder William Penn signed a treaty with the Lenape Indians, this park is popular with locals in the warmer months of the year and is noted for its memorials to Penn and marking the site where the treaty was agreed to, as well as benches that offer breathtaking views of the Delaware River. Also note the abandoned power station located immediately north of the park. Although currently dilapidated and an example of urban decay, plans are underway to redevelop this property into a concert hall in the near future.
From Penn Treaty Park, the paved, asphalt trail heads south, passing an apartment complex currently being developed, and rounds the north, east and south sides of Rivers Casino. Here, the trail passes through lush gardens with colorful plants and numerous small animals and warbling birds. Pedestrians have the option of using a small, stone path that runs directly along the riverfront to take in panoramic views and observe the birds that frequently perch on an abandoned pipeline that sticks above the water.
Continuing south from River's Casino, the northern segment of the trail follows Sugarhouse Drive south past the towers of the Waterfront Square condo complex. Here, the trail divides into two, with pedestrians directed left onto a sidewalk, while cyclists are to use a specially designated asphalt lane to the right. Note the fountains in front of Waterfront Square and the views out toward the river, where a small estuary has been developed. This segment of the trail between Penn Treaty Park and Spring Garden Street is also part of the East Coast Greenway, the long distance megatrail currently being developed from downeast Maine to Key West, FL.
The middle segment of the trail begins about a mile to the south at the north end of Penn's Landing, and follows the River Promenade past a dog park, plazas and the Independence Seaport Museum. Here, trail users have the opportunity to learn about Philadelphia's heritage as a seaport and can also tour several of the decommissioned ships and a submarine. Immediately south of Penn's Landing, Spruce Street Harbor Park gives trail users the opportunity to leave a lock on the Philadelphia Hope Fence outside the Hilton Hotel or grab a bite to eat from several food vendors. The Korean War Memorial and the controversial monument to Christopher Columbus are also located here.
The trail again diverges from Christopher Columbus Blvd. across from the intersection with Washington Ave., just south of the Gloria Dei Church. This mile-long segment differs from the northern and middle sections by crossing through sections of abandoned waterfront that have been reclaimed by nature and transformed into open space. Check out a section of old parking lot that now has vegetation growing up between cracks in the pavement and is now designated a rain garden and marvel at the array of colorful plants on Pier 48, an old wharf that was covered with dirt and now supports a small woodland. This experimental nature preserve is intended to attract both land and water based flora and fauna and also includes a walkway off the southern part of the pier where people can observe the river or go fishing as well as a spiral stairway ascending to a small observation platform. From Pier 48, the trail passes a plaza that provides additional opportunities for fishing or observing the river and continues through a grove of trees and a meadow before dividing into a second "green boulevard" next to the Wal-Mart off Tasker Street. Trail users will be surprised by the serenity of this segment and will find it hard to believe they are in a major city.
The trail's southern terminus is at Pier 68, another former boat dock that has been transformed into a park. The giant loungers here provide a great place to rest at the end of your walk or bike ride.
With its detailed landscaping, a route that passes several historical and cultural sites and providing numerous opportunities for active and passive recreation, the Delaware River Trail is a great counterpart to the Schuylkill River Trail and another great link in the Circuit trail network. The only thing keeping this trail from getting a full five star rating is the graffiti on parts of the southern segment, which, although minor, nonetheless mars the look of an otherwise great example of urban renewal.
If you start this trail on Rose Valley Road , between Wallingford and Swarthmore , you can easily navigate it all of the way to Smedley park. Once you get there, there are other wooded trails that you can also try. Mostly off road , but you need to cross a couple of small roads and then Baltimore pike to get to Smedley park.
Beautiful section for a long run in the morning. Very serene and peaceful
The trail has some sections that were paved but don't think that means smooth, the paved sections were more bumpy than the gravel sections. The short slightly hilly trail is quite close to the road. The highlight was riding the paved trail across the street along Liseter Road.
One more thing, could TrailLink use street addresses for parking areas, it would make life so much easier for those of us using Waze or Garmin to find our way to trails.
We were looking for short trails near each other and this trail fit the bill. It was one of eight that we rode in one day. We started at the north end and rode to where the paved section stopped. We could see what looked like a poorly maintained single track trail across the street and decided to pass on riding that section. The trail surface is in great condition on the paved section, but other than that not much to see here.
While the trail runs through a wooded area along the Darby Creek the scenery is mostly unimpressive and even the sounds of the creek cannot drown out the traffic noise.
While our navigation system took us to the park at the Smedley end of the trail, but once there we saw no signs telling us where we were or where anything else in the park was. I was able to use the TrailLink app to find where I was and where the trail began. I had to use the app again when I guessed wrong about which way to turn at an unmarked road crossing. The trail surface is very rough and there are several steep sections.
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(a non-profit) and we need your support!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
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