Hiking in Delaware has a lot of exciting hiking opportunities that cater to every kind of hiker. I’ve had to traverse forests, streams, and woodlands while having the option for a few rest-stops along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or you are thinking about a family trip, you’ll find what you need.
Hiking in Kansas is suitable for all hiker levels. Landscapes include woodlands, paved walkways, gravel, and selectable trails. Top hiking trails include Gordon’s Pond Trail, Prickly Pear Trail, Delaware Arc Monument Via Twin Valley Trail, Northern Delaware Greenway, and more.
Your next hiking expedition in Delaware will be nothing less than spectacular, with beautiful views and challenging elevations. Regardless of which strikes your fancy, there’s a perfect trail for you that is certain to get the heart pumping!
Hiking In Delaware
Delaware caters to a wide variety of landscapes that would be of interest to every hiking enthusiast. Adventure
Exploration will take you through dense forests, dunes, beaches, and breathtaking lakes. Hiking in Indiana is popular, and so you’ll often find joggers, cyclists, hikers, and people walking their dogs on most hiking trails.
The majority of these hiking trails permit you to bring your dogs, but they need to be on their leashes at all times.
Beginners will look forward to Boat House Trails in Griffy Lake Nature Reserve. It has a beautiful lake, upland forests, and exciting valleys for maximum immersion. Harrison Trace Trail in Fort Harrison State Park has a smoothly-paved trail that makes it perfect for rainy days and ideal as an introductory hiking trail.
Intermediates hikers will appreciate Turkey Run Outer Loop in Turkey Run State Park, especially if you’re a “choose your own adventure” kind person! Many interconnecting trails increase or decrease in difficulty. Furthermore, there is a unique variety of wildlife to see and impressive wild flora.
Expert hikers who enjoy a challenge can seek West Beach 3-Loop Trail in Indiana Dunes National Park. It offers an exciting combination of beaches, woodlands, dunes, pine trees, and lakes. The landscape diversity provides a considerable challenge that most expert hikers will find appealing.
Delaware Hiking Trails For The Whole Family
Delaware has many excellent hiking trails that cater to young kids, teens, adults, and even the elderly. While work or school may undoubtedly keep you busy, a refreshing hike can help you feel recharged and take your mind off the hustle and bustle while building family relationships.
Gordon’s Pond Trail, Cape Henlopen State Park
Gordons Pond Walk is a 6.4-mile out-and-back trail near Lewes, Delaware, featuring magnificent wildflowers and suitable for hikers of all abilities. The route is accessible all year and provides a variety of activities. If your canine friend is on a leash, they can join at any moment.
This hiking trek takes 2 hours and 37 minutes to complete. Its relatively level walk offers lovely views of the Pond and is frequently accompanied by gorgeous flowers and birds, making it feel almost magical. The big paved parking area off Ocean Drive at the trail’s south end has at least six designated accessible spaces.
They’re all van-accessible and have striped access aisles. Crushed stone or wooden boardwalks with edge barriers and partial railings make up the trail surface. It is usually at least 4 to 6 feet wide, with broader passing areas. Metal bollards are placed along sections of the route, reducing its width momentarily.
The trail is somewhat mild and straightforward to navigate throughout. All-terrain tires or motorized equipment may be essential for the primarily unpaved surface category. Resting areas include benches and picnic tables along portions of the path and wheelchair-accessible restrooms, and the nature center is handicapped-accessible.
Gordon’s Pond is a terrific option if you want to do a little more than just hike. The path is flat and gravel, excellent for running or cycling from Rehoboth to Lewes, and is famous for jogging and cycling.
About halfway along, there’s a beautiful viewing platform with views of the marsh and ocean. There’s also an extensive boardwalk on the Lewes side. The boardwalk is thin, and this route may be extremely busy at times, so be cautious when bicycling on it.
Prickly Pear Trail, Delaware Seashore State Park
Prickly Pear Path is a 3.4-mile moderately trafficked circular trail with a lake suitable for all ability levels and exists in Ocean View, Delaware. The route is famous for hiking, walking, jogging, and horseback riding; however, dogs can tag along provided they are on a leash. This trail takes 1 hour and 25 minutes to complete.
This 3.4-mile circular walk is ideal for discovering the park’s vast meadows, young hardwood and pine woods, and a glimpse of the Indian River Bay. The route is relatively easy to use and wheelchair accessible from mile 2.0 to 3.0 while traveling clockwise.
Hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding are all permitted on the route around 8 feet wide and have a changeable surface. At numerous spots within Fresh Pond, two connection pathways give community access. The dirt parking area off Hickman Road at the trail’s south terminus has no designated accessible places.
However, in the substantial paved parking lot off of Cedar Neck Road, there are some designated accessible spaces with striped access aisles. A trail that shares the road with cars to the east of the parking lot, marked with a waypoint, can be used to access the path.
Boardwalks with edge barriers, fine crushed stone, or a natural crushed-earth or fallen-leaf surface make up the path surface. It’s usually at least 4 feet wide, with plenty of room for passing. There is a metal bollard at the trailhead that momentarily decreases the width.
Delaware Hiking Trails For The Intermediate Hiker
Thrill-seekers who enjoy a challenge will come to adore some of Delaware’s more demanding hiking trails. They’re perfect for someone looking for an intense workout or who wants to lose themselves in the beautiful scenery while benefiting from healthy exercise.
Delaware Arc Monument Via Twin Valley Trail
The Delaware Arc Monument through Twin Valley Route is a 3.6-mile moderately trafficked circle trail in Newark, Delaware, that offers a beautiful woodland backdrop and rates as moderate. The trail is accessible all year and is famous for hiking, walking, jogging, and nature walks. If your dog is leashed, you are welcome to bring them along.
This hike is enjoyable and includes many hills and forested landscapes. The blue route leads to the millpond from the trailhead in the northeast corner of the parking lot. Turn left at the end of the millpond onto the millpond dam, then left again onto a route that will take you across an open field.
On its route to the Arc Monument, where the Delaware Arc meets the Pennsylvania Mason Dixon line boundary, the walk passes through beautiful wooded hills and valleys and across a couple of bridges. After that, return to the trailhead at the parking lot via the yellow trail.
With all of its inclines, the 3.6-mile Twin Valley Trail is considered difficult, but if you want to make it easier, you may take it in the opposite direction so that there are more downhills.
Many roots, rocks, and mild ups and downs exist throughout the trail. It’s a lovely track that feels secluded for most of the way. Of course, this implies that there will be no traffic noise over most of the path.
Northern Delaware Greenway, Bellevue State Park
The Northern Delaware Greenway is a 12.4-mile out-and-back route with a river located in Claymont, Delaware. The path is mainly famous for walking, jogging, nature walks, and road riding, and it is open all year. Pets on a leash are permitted. The estimated completion time is 5 hours and 35 minutes.
Near the Brandywine Zoo, this is a lovely and enjoyable track for biking or hiking. The big paved parking area off Carr Road at the east trail has four accessible spaces. They’re all van-accessible and have a striped access aisle.
Asphalt, cement, or wooden boardwalks with partial railings make up the path surface. It’s usually 4 to 6 feet wide, with plenty of room for passing.
The first 4.8 miles of the path are the most accessible. The trail is reasonably hilly for the most part, but it becomes more complex as you travel west, starting at around 4.8 miles. Trail users in wheelchairs or strollers, especially those who use manual equipment, may require help. There are seats and picnic tables along the walk for relaxing and leisure.
There are few flat places, so it will undoubtedly provide you with an aerobic workout. The effort is well worth it when you see the gorgeous surroundings. Furthermore, there is enough shade to keep you cool, and there is generally a breeze as you walk down the Brandywine River and through the forested parks.
Delaware Hiking Trails For The Born Mountaineer
Those who love spending every waking hour on a hike will undoubtedly find comfort in some of Delaware’s most challenging hiking trails. It will push your body and mind to its limits, providing an excellent workout and immersive experience as you take in the magnificent views.
Whitley Farms Trail, White Clay Creek State Park
Whitely Farms Path is a 7.5-mile widely frequented circle trail with a beautiful forest environment in Newark, Delaware. The path is open all year and is famous for hiking, nature expeditions, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Pets can attend the trail as long as they are on a leash.
Begin at the south end of the parking lot and follow the route. Because the trail is well-marked, getting off track shouldn’t be an issue. It takes on average 3 hours and 30 minutes to finish this hiking trek.
It begins in cornfields and ends in steep forests. There are marked trails and charts strewn everywhere. You’ll come to a crossroads beside a road around 1/3 of the way through.
If you want to save 2.3 miles, keep going straight instead of crossing the David English Trail loop. Follow the blazes through forests and fields to the tri-valley route once you’ve completed the circle. To get to the Whitely trailhead, turn right and follow the signage.
It includes opportunities for experienced hikers and cyclists to tackle more challenging routes, and it is well signposted. There are benches along the walk if you need to recover your breath and a fishing dock on a pond.
In addition, the terrain features paved sections but primarily dirt and wide-open meadows and woodlands. You’ll also have to cross a few small creeks, and the track is moderately overgrown in places.
The Blue Ball Barn to Brandywine Creek via Northern Delaware Greenway Route is a 3.9-mile out-and-back trail with a waterfall in Wilmington, Delaware.
The trail is best utilized from March to December and is excellent for hiking. Canine friends are welcome to accompany you as long as they are on a leash.
The trail is paved for the most part and well-kept, and it twists and turns with occasional steep grade climbs. People swimming in the autumn area may be somewhat crowded. However, most of it was lovely and tranquil.
Bob Trail Full Loop, Trap Pond State Park
Bob Path Full Loop is a 4.4-mile moderately trafficked loop trail with a graded moderate to challenging lake and is situated near Laurel, Delaware. The route is available year-round and provides a variety of activities. Dogs are most welcome to join as long as they are on a leash at all times. It takes 1 hour and 52 minutes to complete the hiking trail.
The track is level and well-kept; however, some sections are service roads. In marshy places, there are well-built wooden boardwalks. On the Bob Trail, there is a small section where you walk along the road’s shoulder across a bridge before returning to the woods.
The red Bob Path blaze markers designate the trail, which is well-kept. Although Trap Pond has some beautiful water views, the walk is mainly in the trees. The woodland areas are charming.
The entire route is made up of pea gravel, making it relatively easy to follow and traverse, and there’s also a wonderful boardwalk portion that travels across the marsh and provides excellent views. Excellent track with a wide range of biological features. The area is not very congested, and it is generally level, with fantastic pond views and natural noises.
The nature center is an excellent location for a picnic, but other seats along the walk if you prefer more privacy. Because there are no trash containers along the path, bring a bag to ensure that you leave no trace.
Conclusion
Beginner-friendly hikes such as Gordon’s Pond Trail in Cape Henlopen State Park offer a rewarding experience for casual family fun. Whitley Farms Trail in White Clay Creek State Park offers an exciting challenge to veterans and thrill-seekers alike.
