Find the top rated hiking trails in Delaware, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Enjoyed a bike ride from Tall Pines campground all the way to Lewes for lunch! What a gem!
Just finished a two hour ride from my house in Wilmington Manor to the Riverfront in Wilmington and then back to Battery Park in New Castle. This connects along the Delaware River which I followedi to the end marked “private property”. Total time was 2 hours, three minutes; total distance 19.03 miles; total calories burned 592; average speed 9.3 mph; elevation gain 1,070 ft.
Finally rode it this weekend and loved it. It's nice and flat and was not crazy crowded for a Sunday morning. It hooks right into the Junction Breakwater so you can really get a nice workout between the different routes. The trail now ends at Cool Spring. However, once it is completed to Georgetown, DE it is going to a great addition to Sussex County.
Finding the Newcastle “end point” to the trail was tricky. Once I found it, the scenery was beautiful at times, but also filled with highway imagery. Two trees had also fallen down from a previous storm, so that was difficult to maneuver under. Once I came into the marsh area, there was a nice view of Delaware marsh land that I had only previously seen at a distance from the I-95 on ramp. Overall, I enjoyed it.
My wife and I rode our tandem from Biddle Point westward to Chesapeake City, where the paved trail connects with local streets. The Michael Castle Trail changes name to the Ben Cardin Trail when you cross into Maryland. There are a couple of hairpin turns, so be aware. The marina are at the inlet near Lums Pond SP is a little tricky to navigate the first time through, but the traffic is low (we rode on a weekday afternoon).
There isn't any shade where the trail runs adjacent to the canal (except where bridges cast shadows), but the few areas where it shifts away from the canal do have tree cover. Bring plenty of water if it's a hot day. We didn't see any place to get water along the trail. We passed 2 other trailheads and they did have restrooms, but they are the waterless type.
Terrain is flat except where the trail moves away from the canal - it becomes slightly hilly.
Overall, it is a great ride.
We were hesitant to ride this trail given some of the negative comments, but I have to say they were all wrong! We rode today from New Castle to Wilmington waterfront and back again and it couldn’t have been more fun. Trail head was easy to fine, tunnels weren’t too dark, we barely saw the landfill, the industrial section was minimal — and the marshes and canopies of greenery, the bridges were just spectacular. We usually ride the canal, but this trail may just be our new fave. Next time we start in Wilmington and end the ride with a beer and lunch on the waterfront ¿¿
DELDOT has converted the rail line along Cape Henlopen Dr to a paved path. It extends 1.5 miles from the State Park Entrance to American Legion Drive in Lewes.
My husband and I rode this trail today. It was the 1st warm humid day of this year. The trail is not a rail trail. It’s paved and has some uphill sections. It’s in very good condition and we even seen a huge river otter near the route 1 bridge. The closer we got to Delaware city the more osprey we seen too. There isn’t much shade, and along the canal there’s none. I recommend this trail. There are plenty of restrooms and benches on the east side of the route 896 bridge.
We used the Traillink start of Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park. However, there’s little parking near the park and no signs for the trail. We had read other reviews of the issue so we weren’t surprised. We saw some signs for ECG East Coast Greenway and thought we had a chance. Nope. After a couple of miles of wandering streets we were almost ready to call it a day. I saw a young couple dressed like runners and asked them. They shared the secret. It’s NOT at the park at all but “seems” to begin at Banks Seafood across the street. It winds around behind some other restaurants and behind the shopping center. Once we got going it was much easier, but I can’t tell you I saw the first sign as I was so happy to find the trail. As on any busy trail, and especially because of the restaurants, very slow going is required for the first mile. Diners leaving the restaurants aren’t area of the trail so proceed very carefully. Once you past the shopping center it gets much better. We enjoyed the ride. The bridges and wetlands were nice and trail was in good shape. It’s a nice little out and back trail that could easily end with a lunch or dinner at one of the places at the end/beginning. The parking seemed to be a tough issue unless you park at the shopping center but the signage was a sad commentary on an otherwise nice trail. Someone should put up some signs...unless they want no one else to find. One single sign at the park might do the trick.
This trail is wonderful in fall, beautiful foliage.
We parked at the New Castle Battery Park, since that's where traillink says the trail starts. There are, however, no signs that we could find that gave any direction to take the trail. Confusingly, there is a 2 mile trail along the river, starting in the park, that is NOT the Jack Markell trail. After a lot of head scratching and inquiring, we realized that the trail starts northwest on South Street about 5 blocks from the park, at the intersection with 8th Street. And, even there, it's not called the Jack Markell Trail, but The Heritage Greenway Trail. After a couple of intersections, the Jack Markell signs started. This is NOT how to mark a trail!
The trail itself traverses some aesthetically tedious areas, including going under US 13, I-295, and I-495, all extremely busy highways. Much of the trail is through industrial areas, a former landfill, and large marshes before arriving at the Wilmington River Walk.
We were glad to ride the trail to support it, but it does need some additional signing and guidance in New Castle.
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