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Print Friendly MapThe Georgetown-Lewes Trail is popular for its relatively flat route that runs through tree-lined countryside into the coastal town of Lewes before ending in an oceanside state park. The trail is part of a developing 17-mile trail network that, when completed, will link Georgetown and Lewes to each other and to Cape Henlopen State Park, as well as to Rehoboth Beach by way of a connection to the Junction & Breakwater Trail.
Beginning from its western end, a disconnected segment of the trail spanning 0.9 mile runs from Ingramtown Road and South King Street to Airport Road. Opened in late 2021, this section is mere blocks from downtown Georgetown and provides trail access to residents of an ad-jacent apartment complex and connections to the Georgetown Little League Complex, the Sussex Academy of Arts and Science, and the future Sussex County Park. It’s also the first section of rail-with-trail in the corridor as it was built along an active freight line, the Delmarva Central Railroad.
Farther northeast, after a gap of 7 miles, the main segment of the trail begins at Cool Spring Road and the Lewes Georgetown Highway. The route offers plentiful shade and seclusion via a tree tunnel, opening up to meadows and fields as you head east toward Lewes.
The ancestral home of the Indigenous Siconese people, the town of Lewes dates back to 1631 when Dutch colonists settled on this “purchased” tribal land. It became a strategic naval point during the War of 1812, and during World War II, Fort Miles, located in present-day Cape Henlopen State Park, became a vital defense against potential German attacks on Mid-Atlantic port cities. A list of more historical sites is available from the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, located 0.2 mile from the trail near its eastern end.
On the eastern end of the trail’s main segment, parking is located at the Lewes Public Library, where the trail runs beside the building. Here you’ll find restrooms, benches, a water bottle–filling station, and an in-formation kiosk. A community garden and a set of historical rails are nestled nearby. Flowers and public art dot the stretch of trail between the library and Gills Neck Road.
The easternmost section of the trail leading to Cape Henlopen State Park is separated from the main route by the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. To reach this disconnected segment, turn left from the eastern terminus of the main segment onto Gills Neck Road. In 0.2 mile, turn right on Savannah Road to cross the canal bridge. Continue 0.3 mile to American Legion Road/Massachusetts Avenue. Take a right and travel 0.2 mile to the trailhead for the Georgetown-Lewes Trail.
After this brief stretch of street traffic, the trail’s wide lanes open up to a beautiful mix of sand, sea grass, and pine trees, offering intermittent shade and a fresh scent as you head to Cape Henlopen State Park. The park is home to Delaware’s highest sand dune (80 feet tall), where the Henlopen Lighthouse sat until it eroded into the sea in 1926.
Alternatively, just before the canal, you can connect to the Junction & Breakwater Trail by turning right onto the trail at Gills Neck Road. You might even catch a glimpse of a boat or two drifting past you along the canal.
For the main segment, free parking and restrooms are available next to the Lewes Public Library (111 Adams Ave) and the Coolspring Presbyterian Church (28843 Log Cabin Hill Road).
Parking for the disconnected northeastern segment is available with a fee in Cape Henlopen State Park Seaside Nature Center (15099 Cape Henlopen Dr), or at the trailhead off of American Legion Road (American Legion Road & Massachusetts Ave) in Lewes.
Where the trail currently begins (in Milton, Delaware) is unmarked and there is no parking. We parked on the side of a little-used road (Cool Spring Road) and jumped on the trail at the intersection of the busier route US 9 East. (A good address to look up is the Brimming Horn Meadery which is right on the trail and very close to the western trailhead.) We took off on the smooth asphalt trail through an airy forest of very tall pine trees, whose canopies hovered about 30 feet above us. Riding along the flat-as-a-pancake trail, we passed by both new and more established neighborhoods where flags and flowers festooned the trail’s edge to welcome bikers and pedestrians. We’d read that there were 12 intersections along the trail, but very few had any traffic. It was a fast and easy six miles to the outskirts of Lewes, a quaint little beach town, and it is here that we transitioned onto the Lewes-Rehoboth trails, which make up essentially one big 17-mile loop.
We decided to head counterclockwise on the loop, riding south, then east, through cornfields, neighborhoods, open marshes, and wooded patches outside Rehoboth. The town itself is where you can find any number of stores or restaurants to buy food or water. After a fairly short jaunt through the neighborhood streets of Rehoboth, we rode on the wide shoulder of Ocean Avenue heading north along the coast. Soon we were entering Cape Henlopen State Park and riding on one of the most unique and picturesque trails we’ve ever encountered. It’s almost entirely marsh land, inland bodies of water, and sand dunes. Snowy egrets, gray herons and a wide variety of marine life populate the marshes. At various points along the trail, there are observation decks and places to view the ocean and the remains of abandoned World War II-era watch towers, artillery, and barracks. It was a little tricky winding our way out of the park but eventually, we ended up on a road that paralleled the beach and led back into Lewes. There’s a cute little brewery right on the trail, then another big name brewery – that is a favorite of ours – back in Milton.
Recently relocated to the area and I couldn’t wait to explore the bike trails and learn a bit more about the area. This trail is magnificent!
One of the highlights of vacationing is Lewes is riding this trail. Well maintained and marked, and people are very friendly. Many residents along the trail have decorated entrances which my 10yo enjoys looking for/at while we ride
We rode the trail today with our Schnauzer behind in a pet carrier. The trail is in excellent condition and the massive trees and beautiful flowers and honeysuckle fragrances make it a tremendous experience. When finished it will definitely be a Rail Trail Hall of Fame nominee. Don’t miss doing this trail if you are visiting the quaint town of Lewes. The parking lot next to the Lewes library has beautifully clean restrooms and a fix-it station with a pump for minor repairs.
We rode the trail today with our Schnauzer behind in a pet carrier. The trail is in excellent condition and the massive trees and beautiful flowers and honeysuckle fragrances make it a tremendous experience. When finished it will definitely be a Rail Trail Hall of Fame nominee. Don’t miss doing this trail if you are visiting the quaint town of Lewes. The parking lot next to the Lewes library has beautifully clean restrooms and a fix-it station with a pump for minor repairs.
Rode the entire trail yesterday as an out-and-back from Lewes. The trail is in perfect shape and is certainly popular based on the traffic of cyclists and walkers.
As noted in the description, at the northern end there is an easy connection to the Breakwater trail and "downtown" Lewes. The current endpoint is at busy Log Cabin Hill Road but there are multiple possible on-road loop routes back to Lewes.
This trail gets a lot of use
Rode the entire trail and back with the family. It was a bit tiring towing the little ones behind me but the whole family had a blast!
Road from Tall Pines to Lewes and back, plan on making it longer by continuing on the Breakwater trail. Nice ride and mostly cars stopped and let you cross.
This is the way a bike trail should be done. It's only finished about half way to Georgetown as I write this, but they continue to make progress every winter. Flat, smooth, shady, well marked, and built up with stone berms and wooden fencing wherever there is any drop-off. I can't remember being on a nicer trail than this one. It is entirely paved, but keep in mind that if you want to connect near Lewes to the Junction and Breakwater Trail to Rehoboth, after about three miles, that trail is crushed stone. It's in good shape and beautiful, but you can't really do that portion on a road bike.
Made it out to this trail last weekend. While some areas did get a little crowded, was a relaxing and beautiful walk.
Enjoyed a bike ride from Tall Pines campground all the way to Lewes for lunch! What a gem!
Phase two of the new trail opened this past spring. They really did a fantastic job building it, and it is a pleasure to ride on. Now, you can go about 13 miles in one direction by connecting to the Junction-Breakwater trail towards Rehoboth. The road crossings are fairly frequent, but well marked. I'm happy to report that most drivers stop and waive bicyclists across. I'm excited about the prospect of the trail being completed all the way to Georgetown.
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.
This trail is only a little over one mile but it will eventually go the whole way to Georgetown. The part that is completed is paved. I hope this trail is completed as soon possible. It will be great for Sussex County.
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