We love to hike in Delaware – from Alapocas Run in Wilmington to Delaware Seashore State Park in Fenwick Island, this state is full of hikes appropriate for all experience levels. Here are some of our favorites that you cannot miss. Be sure to check out each of these this fall, when the leaves start changing and the scenery is at its finest.
- Brandywine Creek Park
Flickr / TC Davis The Brandywine Creek Park is a slice of paradise in the middle of urban Wilmington. Hike along the river, or go up to Alapocas Run to climb upon the rocks. This is a great hike to do if you want to get out and about without straying too far from civilization.
- Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve at Blackbird Creek or St. Jones River
Flickr / Jeffrey The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNER) is a little-known Natural Reserve outside of Dover and near Townsend, Delaware. If you’re looking for a quiet place to hike in Delaware where you’ll be surrounded by the quiet of nature and marsh life.
- Hike along the Brandywine at Winterthur
Flickr / Sangre-La Winterthur Museum is more than just a DuPont Mansion - there are lots of trails throughout the grounds that will take you up and around the Brandywine River, for spectacular views. This is one of my favorite places to hike in Delaware.
- The Junction and Breakwater Trail, Cape Henlopen State Park
Flickr / Mike Mahaffie Nearly everyone who hikes at Cape Henlopen takes the popular bike trail to visit Fort Miles, but if you’ve been there, step away from the crowd and walk the Junction and Breakwater trail. You’ll see forests, open fields, and stunning views of coastal marsh and beach.
- White Clay Creek State Park - all of it.
Flickr / TC Davis Every trail at White Clay Creek State Park needs to be on your Delaware trail bucket list. The Boundary Trail will take you into Maryland and Pennsylvania, the Whitely Farms trail will take you through historic Chateau country, and every single one will provide you with beautiful crossings and sightings of White Clay Creek.
- Bethany Beach Nature Center
Flickr / Lee Cannon Another little-known sanctuary is in Bethany Beach, where you can hike through the marsh and get to know your local Delaware wildlife. The Bethany Beach Nature Center is an easy hike in Delaware that nearly anyone can complete in a short amount of time.
- Bellevue State Park
Flickr / Jeffrey Bellevue State Park is a small state park, and you can easily cover all of the trails in one day. You’ll pass by historic structures like the gorgeous Bellevue Mansion and Percheron Barn and might even spot some adventurous horseback riders out and about!
- The River View Trail, Fort DuPont State Park
Flickr / Amdoughtery This is the best trail in the state for historians. If you’re looking to learn on your hike in Delaware, you really can’t get any better than the River View trail. Not only are you waterfront for most of it, but you’ll learn about the history of the Fort and see war relics left behind as monuments.
- The Loblolly Trail, Trap Pond State Park
Flickr / Lee Cannon The Loblolly Trail is a 3 mile loop around Trap Pond, and you’ll end up at the Baldcypress Nature Center halfway through. It’s red-blazed and one of the nicest, most relaxing trails in Delaware. While you’re at Trap Pond State Park, be sure to ask about the incredible Baldcypress Trees and the ecosystems they support.
There are way more trails in Delaware to explore if you’re looking for more adventure. Check out our list of 14 more of the best hikes, or the one incredible hike that will take you back in time.
Flickr / TC Davis
The Brandywine Creek Park is a slice of paradise in the middle of urban Wilmington. Hike along the river, or go up to Alapocas Run to climb upon the rocks. This is a great hike to do if you want to get out and about without straying too far from civilization.
Flickr / Jeffrey
The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNER) is a little-known Natural Reserve outside of Dover and near Townsend, Delaware. If you’re looking for a quiet place to hike in Delaware where you’ll be surrounded by the quiet of nature and marsh life.
Flickr / Sangre-La
Winterthur Museum is more than just a DuPont Mansion - there are lots of trails throughout the grounds that will take you up and around the Brandywine River, for spectacular views. This is one of my favorite places to hike in Delaware.
Flickr / Mike Mahaffie
Nearly everyone who hikes at Cape Henlopen takes the popular bike trail to visit Fort Miles, but if you’ve been there, step away from the crowd and walk the Junction and Breakwater trail. You’ll see forests, open fields, and stunning views of coastal marsh and beach.
Every trail at White Clay Creek State Park needs to be on your Delaware trail bucket list. The Boundary Trail will take you into Maryland and Pennsylvania, the Whitely Farms trail will take you through historic Chateau country, and every single one will provide you with beautiful crossings and sightings of White Clay Creek.
Flickr / Lee Cannon
Another little-known sanctuary is in Bethany Beach, where you can hike through the marsh and get to know your local Delaware wildlife. The Bethany Beach Nature Center is an easy hike in Delaware that nearly anyone can complete in a short amount of time.
Bellevue State Park is a small state park, and you can easily cover all of the trails in one day. You’ll pass by historic structures like the gorgeous Bellevue Mansion and Percheron Barn and might even spot some adventurous horseback riders out and about!
Flickr / Amdoughtery
This is the best trail in the state for historians. If you’re looking to learn on your hike in Delaware, you really can’t get any better than the River View trail. Not only are you waterfront for most of it, but you’ll learn about the history of the Fort and see war relics left behind as monuments.
The Loblolly Trail is a 3 mile loop around Trap Pond, and you’ll end up at the Baldcypress Nature Center halfway through. It’s red-blazed and one of the nicest, most relaxing trails in Delaware. While you’re at Trap Pond State Park, be sure to ask about the incredible Baldcypress Trees and the ecosystems they support.
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