Delaware State Parks Trail Challenge Trails
Trails
Brandywine Creek State Park
Cape Henlopen State Park
Fort Delaware State Park
Fort DuPont State Park
Fox Point State Park
Holts Landing State Park
Killens Pond State Park
Lums Pond State Park
Trap Pond State Park
White Clay Creek State Park
Hidden Pond
- Mode: Hiking
- Distance: 2.8 miles
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Accessible: No
- Trailhead: Nature Center
This packed earth loop trail begins behind the Brandywine Creek Nature Center. Segments of this trail are shared with the Indian Springs Trail. Enter through the rock wall next to the Nature Center where you will begin your hike in the Tulip Tree Woods Nature Preserve. Open fields will be visible to the south beyond the carefully crafted stone walls built by masons in the early 1900s. The stone walls delineated borders and fields on the DuPont Estate. The grade is gradual throughout most of the hike with steep grade changes as the trail approaches and leaves the banks of Brandywine Creek. The trail will cross a creek that flows to Hidden Pond and continues parallel with Delaware Route 92 under a deep forest canopy. The trail will gradually ascend and approach a stone wall bordering an open field north of the Nature Center.
Indian Springs
- Mode: Hiking
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate with challenging sections
- Accessible: No
- Trailhead: Nature Center
This trail begins behind the Nature Center in the Tulip Tree Woods Nature Preserve, a stand of mature Tulip Poplar trees, on a packed earth surface. Open fields will be visible to the south beyond the carefully crafted stone walls built by masons in the early 1900s. The trail descends gradually on rocky terrain before leveling off on a grassy surface as it reaches the Brandywine River. The trail follows the river before turning left and ascending steeply over rocky terrain. The trail levels off at the top of the hill and follows a gradual grade through forests and fields back to an open field north of the Nature Center.
Rocky Run Trail
- Mode: Hiking
- Distance: 2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate with challenging sections
- Accessible: Yes (Northern Delaware Greenway Trail section only)
- Trailhead: Thompsons Bridge parking lot
Hike south for approximately 0.3 miles on the combined Rocky Run Trail and the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail. This section is wide with a crushed stone surface and offers views of the Brandywine River. The trail turns north just before the Rocky Run Bridge and makes a gradual ascent on rocky terrain and packed earth, into mature mixed forest with Rocky Run visible to your right. After a long climb, the trail quickly descends and crosses Rocky Run. The trail climbs gradually on a bed of blue rock granite before descending, crossing an open field, and returning to the bridge over Rocky Run.
Junction and Breakwater Trail
- Mode: Shared Use
- Distance: 5 miles (one way)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: Yes
- Trailhead: Wolfe Glade parking lot on Wolfe Glade Road, Holland Glade parking lot behind Tanger Outlet Seaside
This trail follows a section of the former Penn Central railroad between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach for approximately five miles, along an easy contour on a crushed stone surface. The trail is suitable for hikers, bikers, and strollers. It is accessible from the designated trailheads. Trail users will pass through mature hardwood and conifer forests and open fields, and will experience scenic vistas of coastal marshes at the Wolfe Glade and Holland Glade crossings. Interpretive signs provide opportunities to learn about plant and animal life along the trail.
Please Note: Trail access in Lewes is from Kings Highway opposite the Cape Henlopen High School or from Gills Neck Road west of the entrance to the Hawks Eye Community. Rehoboth Beach access is from Hebron Road just off Route 1. No parking is available at these access points.
Pinelands Trail
- Mode: Hiking
- Distance: 2 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: No
- Trailheads: Across from Seaside Nature Center, or from the Fort Miles Historic Area
This two-mile loop meanders on a gentle grade through coastal upland pine forest over packed and loose sand. Nature enthusiasts will discover four species of pine, including loblolly, Virginia, pitch, and black, as well as cranberry bogs. Hikers will see old artillery bunkers built during World War II in an area once traversed by rails used to supply Fort Miles. The Pinelands Trail was designated as Delaware's first National Recreation Trail in 1981.
Walking Dunes Trail
- Mode: Hiking and Biking
- Distance: 1.6 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: No
- Trailhead: Herring Point parking lot
The trail travels through wooded uplands, traverses tidal marsh, and terminates at The Great Dune. It follows a gentle grade, suitable for all levels of hiking fitness, over sand, crushed shells, or pavement for 1.6 miles. In late spring, look along the trail for blooming Pink Lady's Slipper and Beach Heather, with its abundant, tiny yellow flowers. Nature enthusiasts will also enjoy views of the tidal marsh and of the many birding opportunities available.
Please note: In summer, be aware of poison ivy growing along the trail.
Prison Trail
- Mode: Hiking
- Distance: 0.8 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: No
- Trailhead: Prisoner of War Barracks on Pea Patch Island
This loop trail on Pea Patch Island travels through a wooded area over grass and packed earth. Nature enthusiasts may view wildlife and several species of wading birds from the observation tower which is located along the trail. Fort Delaware served as a prison camp for thousands of Confederate soldiers captured throughout the war.
Note:Fort Delaware is open from May to September. During the season, the Fort is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. View the full schedule for Fort Delaware.
Fort DuPont Trail
- Mode: Hiking
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: No
- Trailhead: Fort DuPont parking lot
The River View Trail, with a surface of packed earth, travels through tidal marsh, passes gun batteries, and offers a glimpse into Delaware history. Fort Delaware was critical in defending the Delaware Valley during the Civil War. The fortress also saw duty during the Spanish American War, where it was the key in a "Three Fort Defense" made up of Fort Delaware, Fort DuPont and Fort Mott (NJ). Fort Delaware was active until WWII. The trail loops back to the parking area.
Please Note: Gun batteries located along the trail are restricted areas.
Riverview Trail
- Mode: Hiking and Biking
- Distance: 2 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: Yes
- Trailhead: Fox Point parking lot
The paved trail is suitable for hikers, bikers, strollers, and rollers. Trail users can view tugboats, freighters, and tankers on the busy Delaware River while traveling along a gentle grade on a paved path. Wayside exhibits offer educational stops. From this trail, visitors can see the Delaware Memorial Bridge to the south.
Seahawk Trail
- Mode: Hiking
- Distance: 1.5-mile loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: No
- Trailhead: Main Parking Area
This flat, 1.5-mile loop trail meanders through mixed hardwood and conifer forest, crosses grassy meadow, and follows a section of the Indian River shoreline. Nature enthusiasts will have plenty of opportunities for birdwatching and to see wildlife while experiencing the different coastal bay environments along the trail.
Pondside Trail
- Mode: Hiking
- Distance: 2.6-mile loop
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Accessible: Yes (Partially)
- Trailhead: Main parking lot, Nature Center parking lot, or parking lot on the south side serving the screened pavilion
The Pondside Trail offers an easy to moderate hike over a packed earth surface with many side connector trails linking to views of the pond. Follow the trail as it gently meanders through a hardwood forest, around low-growing forest understory and across gurgling streams. This trail provides many opportunities for wildlife observation and access to fishing spots around the pond via short connector trails. A segment of the trail leading from the Water Park parking area to the Nature Center is accessible.
Swamp Forest Trail
- Mode: Hiking
- Distance: 7.1 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: Yes (Partially)
- Trailhead: Across from the Nature Center, Buck Jersey Road Parking Area, Campground, Boat Launch Parking Area off Red Lion Road
The Swamp Forest Trail loops around Lums Pond through fresh water wetland forests of Black Cherry, Sweet Gum, and maple. The trail links to the campground, boat launch, disc golf course, dog training area, nature center and picnic areas. Hikers will follow gentle terrain over a packed earth or crushed stone surface and cross over many elevated boardwalks and bridges.
Loblolly Trail
- Mode: Hiking, Biking, and Equestrian (Partially)
- Distance: 4.6-mile loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: Yes
- Trailhead: Across from the Baldcypress Nature Center
This trail winds around Trap Pond and links the Park Office, campground, and Baldcypress Nature Center. Nature enthusiasts will find abundant warblers, kingfishers, Great Blue Heron and baldcypress trees in their wetland habitats. The trail follows a crushed stone surface and traverses a fresh water wetland over an elevated bridge. This area is popular among birding enthusiasts. The Loblolly Trail allows for a full experience and appreciation of the park. ? Please Note: Horseback riding is permitted on the trail section which coincides with the Boundary Trail in the southwest area of the park. Please consult the park map and check trail use markers.
Equestrian Note: Please refer to the Horseback Riding Guidelines.
David English Trail
- Mode: Hiking and Biking
- Distance: 2.4 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Accessible: No
- Trailhead: Park Office on Thompson Station Road
- Cut-off Trail: Twin Ponds
This single-track loop trail passes through hardwood forest and hayfields over a packed earth surface. Twin Ponds cut-off trail is located at the approximate midpoint along the trail and returns to the trailhead. Experience the park's nature and quiet solitude along this trail. Keep a watchful eye for the park's abundant wildlife.
Twin Valley Trail
- Mode: Hiking
- Distance: 3.9 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Accessible: No
- Trailhead: New London Road Parking Area
The Twin Valley Trail meanders through mature beech, maple, and tulip forests on a moderate grade. The trail passes the Arc Corner Monument marking the point where Delaware and Pennsylvania meet, and an old foundation and cellar hole. Wildlife and birding opportunities await trail users.