Delaware Birding Trails and Maps

313 Reviews

Looking for the best Birding trails around Delaware?

Find the top rated birding trails in Delaware, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

City Trails and Maps in Delaware

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Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
49 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Battery Park Trail

1.7 mi
State: DE
Asphalt

Bob Trail

4.5 mi
State: DE
Boardwalk, Crushed Stone

Brandywine Trail

2.9 mi
State: DE
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Gravel

Cape Henlopen State Park Bike Loop

3.3 mi
State: DE
Asphalt, Concrete

Fred Hudson Road Trail

1.6 mi
State: DE
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Georgetown-Lewes Trail

9.6 mi
State: DE
Asphalt

Gordons Pond Trail

3.2 mi
State: DE
Boardwalk, Crushed Stone

Isaac Branch Greenway Trail

3.3 mi
State: DE
Asphalt, Concrete

Jack A. Markell Trail

6 mi
State: DE
Asphalt, Boardwalk

James F. Hall Trail

1.8 mi
State: DE
Asphalt

Junction & Breakwater Trail

8.3 mi
State: DE
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Michael N. Castle C&D Canal Trail

12.4 mi
State: DE
Asphalt

Mill Creek Greenway (DE)

3.1 mi
State: DE
Asphalt

Milton Rail-Trail

0.8 mi
State: DE
Asphalt

Newark Reservoir Trail

1.8 mi
State: DE
Asphalt

Northern Delaware Greenway Trail

10.4 mi
State: DE
Asphalt

Park Road Shared-Use Path

1.3 mi
State: DE
Asphalt

Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail

4.4 mi
State: DE
Asphalt, Gravel

Prickly Pear Trail

3.5 mi
State: DE
Crushed Stone, Grass, Sand

Route 273 Multi-Use Trail

1.4 mi
State: DE
Asphalt
Accordion

Salt Marsh Spur

1.2 mi
State: DE
Sand

Seahorse Trail

1.3 mi
State: DE
Dirt

Walking Dunes Trail

2.6 mi
State: DE
Crushed Stone

Wilmington Riverwalk

1.4 mi
State: DE
Boardwalk, Concrete

Assawoman Canal Trail

1.2 mi
State: DE
Crushed Stone

Auburn Valley Trail

1.2 mi
State: DE
Asphalt

Killens Pond Bike Trail

2 mi
State: DE
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Little Jersey Trail

8.1 mi
State: DE
Crushed Stone, Dirt

PennDel Trail

5.4 mi
State: DE, PA
Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel

Seaside Nature Trail

0.7 mi
State: DE
Sand

Smyrna-Clayton Bike Path

1.5 mi
State: DE
Asphalt

Swamp Forest Trail

6.4 mi
State: DE
Crushed Stone, Dirt

Pinelands Nature Trail

1.5 mi
State: DE
Sand

American Holly Trail

0.7 mi
State: DE
Crushed Stone

Brandywine Creek Path

1.5 mi
State: DE
Asphalt, Concrete

Capital City Trail

1.5 mi
State: DE
Asphalt, Brick, Concrete

Charles Bailey Trail

2.5 mi
State: DE, PA
Dirt

Hazlettville/North Shared-Use Path

1.7 mi
State: DE
Asphalt, Concrete

James T. Corcoran Memorial Greenway

2.3 mi
State: DE
Asphalt

Mispillion River Greenway

1.8 mi
State: DE
Boardwalk, Concrete

POW/MIA Parkway Shared-Use Path

3.3 mi
State: DE
Asphalt

Silver Lake Park Trail

0.6 mi
State: DE
Asphalt, Concrete

Sorenson's Way

1.4 mi
State: DE
Asphalt, Concrete

State Route 141 Sidepath

1.5 mi
State: DE
Asphalt

Trolley Trail (DE)

0.5 mi
State: DE
Crushed Stone

Yorklyn Bridge Trail

0.6 mi
State: DE
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
New Castle’s Battery Park Trail begins in its eponymous park and extends 1.7 miles along the Delaware River. Battery Park is adjacent to Historic New Castle, a charming downtown area with parks,...
DE 1.7 mi Asphalt
Overview The Bob Trail (or simply, The Bob) in Trap Pond State Park loops around the perimeter of the 90-acre Trap Pond for 4.5 miles. The trail winds through hardwood forests, crosses a scenic dam...
DE 4.5 mi Boardwalk, Crushed Stone
The Brandywine Trail follows the course of its namesake creek through over two miles of Brandywine Creek State Park, emerging at the northern end at the entrance to the Brandywine Valley area of First...
DE 2.9 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Gravel
Cape Henlopen State Park, on Delaware’s Atlantic coastline, is one of the state’s must-see destinations. William Penn (founder of Pennsylvania) once owned much of the land that’s now the park, but in...
DE 3.3 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Fred Hudson Road Trail is a mixture of asphalt sidepath and wooded crushed stone trail, running from the outskirts of the quiet town of Ocean View to the even quieter scenic remove of the Delaware...
DE 1.6 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Overview    Currently open in segments, the Georgetown-Lewes Trail takes a its relatively flat route that runs through tree-lined countryside into the coastal town of Lewes before ending in an...
DE 9.6 mi Asphalt
Overview The Gordons Pond Trail is located in Cape Henlopen State Park, where it skirts the western side of Gordons Pond, a 900-acre salt water lagoon. The finely crushed gravel pathway winds for...
DE 3.2 mi Boardwalk, Crushed Stone
Part of an emerging network of trails in the Dover area called the St. Jones River Greenway, the Isaac Branch Greenway Trail offers over three miles of completed, paved trail, providing a mixture of...
DE 3.3 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Overview    The Jack A. Markell Trail, or JAM Trail for short, runs for 6 miles between Wilmington and the Delaware River waterfront in nearby New Castle. With relatively few street crossings, the...
DE 6 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
The James F. Hall Trail, named for the City of Newark’s late parks and recreation director, packs a lot into a short stretch. Its paved surface is great for bicycling, inline skating, and stroller and...
DE 1.8 mi Asphalt
Overview The Junction & Breakwater Trail follows a section of the former Penn Central railroad, connecting the Delaware beach towns of Rehoboth Beach and Lewes. Winding through 4.1 miles of Cape...
DE 8.3 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
Overview The Michael N. Castle C&D Canal Trail offers a scenic 12.4-mile route along the north shore of the Chesa­peake and Delaware Canal in northern Delaware. The popular trail is named after the...
DE 12.4 mi Asphalt
The Mill Creek Greenway is a paved, multi-use pathway that runs through nicely wooded grounds in suburban New Castle County. The trail follows a portion of its namesake creek, winding its way along...
DE 3.1 mi Asphalt
The Milton Rail-Trail is a short, paved pathway in the small town of Milton, allowing local residents to get out and take a quick ride or walk along a flat, off-road corridor. The newest section of...
DE 0.8 mi Asphalt
Situated on hilly land on the northern edge of Newark, the Newark Reservoir was built in 2006 to capture water from the nearby White Clay Creek watershed - and thanks to the paved Newark Reservoir...
DE 1.8 mi Asphalt
Closure Notice: The Bancroft Pedestrian Bridge over Brandywine Creek in Alapocas Run State Park is closed indefinitely due to flood damage that occurred in September 2021. Please check the trail...
DE 10.4 mi Asphalt
Located on the marshy northern outskirts of the coastal community of Lewes, the Park Road Shared-Use Path provides a nice stretch of paved trail for cyclists and pedestrians to aid in navigating the...
DE 1.3 mi Asphalt
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...
DE 4.4 mi Asphalt, Gravel
The Prickly Pear Trail is a 3.5-mile loop in Delaware Seashore State Park’s Fresh Pond area. The trail runs through young forest and open meadows, with the eastern stretch featuring a crushed stone...
DE 3.5 mi Crushed Stone, Grass, Sand
The Route 273 Multi-Use Trail provides a convenient link between the popular New Castle Farmers Market site and the residential core of the coastal town. The asphalt sidepath runs for over a mile on...
DE 1.4 mi Asphalt
Accordion
The roughly 1-mile Salt Marsh Spur bisects the popular Walking Dunes Trail in Cape Henlopen State Park. The sand trail runs from the Biden Center, which offers meeting space and accommodations for...
DE 1.2 mi Sand
The Seahorse Trail runs primarily along the western edge of Holts Landing State Park. The trail provides access to the park’s campgrounds on its trek through dense forest. Connections to the...
DE 1.3 mi Dirt
True to its name, the Walking Dunes Trail offers a pleasant hike through the dunes of Cape Henlopen State Park—specifically the “walking dunes,” which slowly move across the park. Unlike some of the...
DE 2.6 mi Crushed Stone
A gorgeous addition to the area’s trail network, Wilmington Riverwalk (sometimes called the Christina River Walk) allows pedestrians and cyclists to experience Wilmington’s renovated urban development...
DE 1.4 mi Boardwalk, Concrete
The Assawoman Canal Trail is a crushed stone pathway for cyclists and pedestrians that runs along the west side of its namesake waterway through Ocean View, Delaware. The canal was hand-dug in 1891...
DE 1.2 mi Crushed Stone
The Auburn Valley Trail is a paved loop trail that runs through Delaware's Auburn Valley State Park, just south of the Pennsylvania state line. The trail offers a smooth, wide path for cyclists and...
DE 1.2 mi Asphalt
Located within the New Castle County park, the Delcastle Recreational Park Walking Trail forms an almost two-mile loop around the perimeter of the recreation site, providing cyclists and pedestrians...
DE 1.8 mi Asphalt
The Killens Pond Bike Trail provides non-motorized access from US 13 to Killens Pond State Park. The short trail parallels Killens Pond Road before turning south into the park along its main access...
DE 2 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
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...
DE 8.1 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt
Also known as the Creek Road Trail from its origin road in Delaware, the PennDel Trail extends north from a connection with the Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail in White Clay Creek State Park. The scenic...
DE, PA 5.4 mi Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel
Redden State Forest, located just north of Georgetown in Sussex County, offers more than 44 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching and hunting on several thousand acres. The most...
DE 4.6 mi Dirt
The Seaside Nature Trail in Cape Henlopen State Park takes visitors to the Seaside Nature Center around a nearly 1-mile rustic loop. A short stretch at the trail's northernmost point runs on a beach...
DE 0.7 mi Sand
Providing over a mile of trail between the Kent County communities of Smyrna and Clayton, the Smyrna-Clayton Bike Path is a nifty recreational asset that offers a nice path for outdoor exercise as...
DE 1.5 mi Asphalt
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...
DE 6.4 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt
The Pinelands Nature Trail, Delaware's first National Recreation Trail, is a 1.5-mile loop that follows a gentle grade through pine forest and cranberry bogs on a loose sand surface. Old artillery...
DE 1.5 mi Sand
Located in southern Delaware's Trap Pond State Park, the American Holly Trail provides a short and scenic alternative to some of the park's longer pathways. Trail users can start their journey from...
DE 0.7 mi Crushed Stone
Following the western side of the creek through the heart of Wilmington, the Brandywine Creek Path offers a dose of pleasant, paved recreation within Delaware's busiest city. This short trail has no...
DE 1.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Capital City Trail forms an important leg in the evolving Saint Jones River Greenway trail system in the Dover area, creating a link between the three-mile Isaac Branch Greenway Trail and the...
DE 1.5 mi Asphalt, Brick, Concrete
Traversing the Delaware/Pennsylvania border along the scenic White Clay Creek, the Charles Bailey Trail offers a pleasant, wooded hike for those willing to travel somewhat off the beaten path. The...
DE, PA 2.5 mi Dirt
Traversing the western edge of Dover, the Hazlettville/North Shared-Use Path is a sidepath trail that follows the southern side of Hazlettville Road and W North Street, providing a wide asphalt...
DE 1.7 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The James T. Corcoran Memorial Greenway is a paved trail that runs through several New Castle County parks between Newark and Wilmington, traversing wooded land along the route of the Christina River...
DE 2.3 mi Asphalt
The Mispillion River Greenway runs through historic downtown Milford on both sides of the Mispillion River. The greenway, which is surfaced primarily with brick and concrete, provides scenic views of...
DE 1.8 mi Boardwalk, Concrete
Built as a connector road on the outskirts of Dover, Kent County's POW/MIA Memorial Parkway also serves as a connector for cyclists and pedestrians, thanks to the paved sidepath trail constructed...
DE 3.3 mi Asphalt
The Senator Patricia M. Blevins Pedestrian Path is a short but well-paved pathway that runs between the Delaware town of Elsmere's Fairgrounds Park and Maple Avenue Park, giving local residents a safe...
DE 1 mi Asphalt
Dover's Silver Lake Park Trail is a short and pleasant paved trail that runs through the city's Silver Lake Park, a popular recreation site for (licensed) fishing, family outings, and relaxing...
DE 0.6 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Named after the local couple who spearheaded efforts to build the pathway, Sorenson's Way is a paved sidepath trail that runs chiefly alongside Valley Road in the northwest Delaware community of...
DE 1.4 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Currently open in two disconnected segments, the State Route 141 Sidepath is a paved trail that follows the side of its namesake roadway along the edges of Wilmington, Delaware. Favoring function over...
DE 1.5 mi Asphalt
The Trolley Trail, located in Delaware's Auburn Valley State Park, is a short but sweet crushed stone loop trail near the park's main entrance. While it may not offer much in the way of mileage, the...
DE 0.5 mi Crushed Stone
The Yorklyn Bridge Trail is a paved, multi-use greenway that connects the Auburn Valley State Park with the nearby village of Yorklyn Mills in the scenic hills of northern Delaware. The trail...
DE 0.6 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete

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Recent Trail Reviews

Milton Rail-Trail

lovely semi-forested, pathed walk

July, 2024 by christine.m.layton

This trail goes through forest, field, and some pretty neighborhoods. Excellent for Pokemon players, dog walkers, and meanderers.

Michael N. Castle C&D Canal Trail

Great cycling along the Canal

July, 2024 by knewman1717

I ride this trail end to end around 2-3 times a week. It needs to be repaired off the Summit/Lums Pond parking lot. There needs to be a speed limit set for EV bikers. Dog owners need to keep their dogs on leash at all times. I've been run at by off leash dogs at Summit where people can camp overnight. Not a great experience.
It is a beautiful ride. Just be considerate of others and share the trail, please.

Seaside Nature Trail

Sandy Path Through The Coastal Forest

July, 2024 by jmcginnis12@gmail.com

Part of the Cape Henlopen State Park trail network, the Seaside Nature Trail branches off the Cape Henlopen State Park Bike Loop at the nature center and gives visitors the opportunity to explore the pine barrens, scrublands and a portion of beach on the Delaware Bay on the park's north side. Although the sandy surface of the trail is loose in some sections and poorly suited to cycling, it offers a peaceful and picturesque hiking experience. Highlights include the entrance to a World War II-era bunker, whose overgrown and decaying gate resembles a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie, the panoramic views along the Delaware Bay and the crab statues in front of the nature center. Trail users should also check out the nature center itself to learn more about the wildlife they may encounter and the state park's fishing pier and bait & tackle shop are just a short walk down the beach at Delaware Bay.

Accordion

Michael N. Castle C&D Canal Trail

Michael N. Castle C & D Canal Trail

November, 2023 by thejake91739

Q: If I bike ride the short 1.8 mile Ben Cardin trail in Maryland, should I bother continuing on to Delaware's Michael N. Castle trail?
A: Most definitely! Why stop after just two miles?

Q: Is it as flat and easy as the Ben Cardin trail?
A: It's mostly long, flat and occasionally curves as it parallels the not perfectly straight canal, but there are three places where the trail leaves the canal and climbs up the side of the hill. There it's curvier and takes you through woodlands and by a marina.

Q: Are the hills strenuous?
A: For regular, fit bikers and old guys like me with a Swytch pedal assist system, no. For others I would say yes.

Q: How strenuous?
A: One is steep enough to warrant two switchbacks. I also encountered a middle aged couple at the top of one of the hills resting, recovering, and acting like, What have we gotten ourselves into? I also observed another young, fit woman jogging who had to stop halfway up the hill, bend over, and put her hands on her knees.

Q:Is it picturesque?
A: Yes, lots of interesting photo ops of bridges, the canal, birds, woodlands, salt marshes, watercraft, charming homes, and historical sites.

Q: So if I start in Maryland and reach 5th Street in Delaware City, that's where I turn around?
A: Technically, that's the end of the Castle Trail, but why stop there? Cross the road and continue for another mile or so along quiet Canal Road and the Delaware City Marina to old, historic Delaware City, Battery Park, and Delaware Bay! You'll regret it if you don't!

Q: Are there any rest stops or restrooms?
A: There are restrooms at South Lums Trailhead on the trail and at Battery Park. There are also benches consistently along the canal about every 250 yards!

Q: Is it safe? What are the trail users like?
A: The friendliest and most polite you could ever hope for!

Q: As a former educator, what grade would you give this trail?
A: An A, but not an easy A. You'll have to work hard to complete those six inclines (assuming you're traveling the entire distance and doing a round trip).

Bob Trail

Firm trail through the wood

October, 2023 by nphillips_tl

Firm fine gravel or dirt through the woods around the pond. A small section near the dam was paved. The south side is about 8 feet wide with gradual curves. The north side is about four feet wide and winds through the trees with a couple of sharp turns. We went counterclockwise out of the campground and found that to be downhill all the way around, or felt that way. Really no hills, just a slight up on the wider path for a short distance. We had two inch tires which were fine. One inch tires would probably be fine too. It was an enjoyable ride through the woods. Stop at the lovely church restored church

Assawoman Canal Trail

Greenway & Waterway

September, 2023 by jmcginnis12

Stretching a little over a mile along the west bank of the waterway for which it is named, the Assawoman Canal Trail offers a serene getaway for residents and visitors alike in the Bethany Beach area.
The trail is comprised of a crushed stone pathway suited to biking, walking, wheelchairs and pushing baby strollers that passes through environments that alternate between lush woodlands and grassy meadows. Some of the homes that the trail passes have beautifully landscaped yards (stay on the trail!) and small boats are a common site along the adjacent canal. Although the trail crosses Cedar Ave. at-grade (flashing signals alert motorists when trail users cross), it passes beneath Route 26 next to the canal, ending at Riga Drive.
In addition to providing an experience to enjoy nature and get in shape, the trail also makes it possible for residents of Ocean View and Cedar Neck to access businesses along Route 26 without walking along local roads. Plans eventually call for the trail to be extended further southeast, connecting to South Bethany.
The only things preventing me from giving the trail five stars are the high mosquito population in the warmer months of the year and lack of benches. The dead end at the northwest terminus of the trail also precludes access to Elliott Ave. and Back Bay Tours, limiting its potential to connect to communities there.

Smyrna-Clayton Bike Path

Community Connector

September, 2023 by jmcginnis12

Actually a small network of multi-use trails, the Smyrna-Clayton Bike Path gives residents of both of these communities a great alternative to walking or biking along busy local roads.
The trail is comprised of two main branches, starting from Duck Creek Parkway on either side of the High School and Middle School campus. The northwest branch separates the high school from adjacent mini-storage facilities and a residential subdivision, while the northeast division follows a powerline that runs along a branch of Duck Creek and connects to the west side of Smyrna via a footbridge. Both branches of the trail wrap around the campus and converge just south of a small cow pasture. The trail continues southeast of here, crossing the creek on a footbridge and ending at the intersection of Routes 6 and 300.
In addition to giving local residents a chance to enjoy nature, the trail gives students at the high and middle schools a safe means to walk to and from school . Unfortunately, I noticed some minor deterioration on the footbridge northwest of the Route 6 and 300 intersection. People who are sensitive to loud noises should also be aware that the local fire company's emergency alert siren is just north of the junction between the northwest and northeast branches of the trail.

Brandywine Trail

Biked on Brandywine Trail Along the Water on 8/13

August, 2023 by stephyoffee

The beginning of the trail was easy to find after parking in the alternate parking area since the main parking was closed. The recent storm made the trail somewhat muddy with one fallen tree blocking the way about 1/4 mile from the trailhead. The narrow path along the water's edge on one side, and corn field on the other was fine to bike on, but ended at just over a mile due to a small stream that needed to be crossed. Instead of trying to find an alternate way across, we just turned around and headed back to the parking lot.

Mill Creek Greenway (DE)

Wish they'd extend it somehow. It's a decent workout and somewhat nicer in the colder months since it dumps you into del Rec. Not as many walkers in the winter

August, 2023 by jkappa1212

Wish they'd extend it somehow. It's a decent workout and somewhat nicer in the colder months since it dumps you into del Rec. Not as many walkers in the winter

Northern Delaware Greenway Trail

Beautiful

July, 2023 by bretthburkey

This is absolutely one of the nicest urban trail systems I’ve ever seen. The diversity is outstanding as you traverse from park to park. Rolling hills, thick canopies, sheer rock walls, frisbee golf, babbling brooks, historic buildings, on and on. Great for running, hiking, and biking. It is my opinion that if you don’t give this five stars you just don’t like the outdoors.

Fred Hudson Road Trail

Nice Trail Fred

June, 2023 by reesjb

Surprisingly pleasant trail - crushed stone/pine needle surface w/ plenty of shade. 1 mile out and back w/ ample parking at the trailhead. There are several other trails at the parking area as well. Flat and scenic stroll thru the pine woods and fresh pond waters. Most enjoyable!

Junction & Breakwater Trail

Loved this trail and more!

June, 2023 by mobartholomew64

We did this trail starting at the outlets in Rehoboth (large parking lot right next to Microtel hotel). The trail starts off in a pine forest with gravel (a little hard for my husband who has skinny tires!) then winds through a new neighborhood where you ride down the center median. Eventually you wind up in the cute town of Lewes. We decided to add to this ride and go to Gordon Pond loop (easy to connect. Just head towards Cape May Ferey/ Cape Henlopen. Everything is well marked and there are maps in strategic places. Loved this!!!

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