Find the top rated bike trails in Delaware, whether you're looking for an easy short bike trail or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a bike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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This is a well maintained trail, flat, varied scenery with a great long boardwalk/ bridge. Nice stops in a few sites with some history. Beach view / marsh / birds. Well traveled with bikers & walkers on a Sunday fall afternoon. 6.4 miles round trip with a strong wind on the way back had me sweating.
This trail goes through forest, field, and some pretty neighborhoods. Excellent for Pokemon players, dog walkers, and meanderers.
Part of the Cape Henlopen State Park trail network, the Seaside Nature Trail branches off the Cape Henlopen State Park Bike Loop at the nature center and gives visitors the opportunity to explore the pine barrens, scrublands and a portion of beach on the Delaware Bay on the park's north side. Although the sandy surface of the trail is loose in some sections and poorly suited to cycling, it offers a peaceful and picturesque hiking experience. Highlights include the entrance to a World War II-era bunker, whose overgrown and decaying gate resembles a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie, the panoramic views along the Delaware Bay and the crab statues in front of the nature center. Trail users should also check out the nature center itself to learn more about the wildlife they may encounter and the state park's fishing pier and bait & tackle shop are just a short walk down the beach at Delaware Bay.
Q: If I bike ride the short 1.8 mile Ben Cardin trail in Maryland, should I bother continuing on to Delaware's Michael N. Castle trail?
A: Most definitely! Why stop after just two miles?
Q: Is it as flat and easy as the Ben Cardin trail?
A: It's mostly long, flat and occasionally curves as it parallels the not perfectly straight canal, but there are three places where the trail leaves the canal and climbs up the side of the hill. There it's curvier and takes you through woodlands and by a marina.
Q: Are the hills strenuous?
A: For regular, fit bikers and old guys like me with a Swytch pedal assist system, no. For others I would say yes.
Q: How strenuous?
A: One is steep enough to warrant two switchbacks. I also encountered a middle aged couple at the top of one of the hills resting, recovering, and acting like, What have we gotten ourselves into? I also observed another young, fit woman jogging who had to stop halfway up the hill, bend over, and put her hands on her knees.
Q:Is it picturesque?
A: Yes, lots of interesting photo ops of bridges, the canal, birds, woodlands, salt marshes, watercraft, charming homes, and historical sites.
Q: So if I start in Maryland and reach 5th Street in Delaware City, that's where I turn around?
A: Technically, that's the end of the Castle Trail, but why stop there? Cross the road and continue for another mile or so along quiet Canal Road and the Delaware City Marina to old, historic Delaware City, Battery Park, and Delaware Bay! You'll regret it if you don't!
Q: Are there any rest stops or restrooms?
A: There are restrooms at South Lums Trailhead on the trail and at Battery Park. There are also benches consistently along the canal about every 250 yards!
Q: Is it safe? What are the trail users like?
A: The friendliest and most polite you could ever hope for!
Q: As a former educator, what grade would you give this trail?
A: An A, but not an easy A. You'll have to work hard to complete those six inclines (assuming you're traveling the entire distance and doing a round trip).
Firm fine gravel or dirt through the woods around the pond. A small section near the dam was paved. The south side is about 8 feet wide with gradual curves. The north side is about four feet wide and winds through the trees with a couple of sharp turns. We went counterclockwise out of the campground and found that to be downhill all the way around, or felt that way. Really no hills, just a slight up on the wider path for a short distance. We had two inch tires which were fine. One inch tires would probably be fine too. It was an enjoyable ride through the woods. Stop at the lovely church restored church
Stretching a little over a mile along the west bank of the waterway for which it is named, the Assawoman Canal Trail offers a serene getaway for residents and visitors alike in the Bethany Beach area.
The trail is comprised of a crushed stone pathway suited to biking, walking, wheelchairs and pushing baby strollers that passes through environments that alternate between lush woodlands and grassy meadows. Some of the homes that the trail passes have beautifully landscaped yards (stay on the trail!) and small boats are a common site along the adjacent canal. Although the trail crosses Cedar Ave. at-grade (flashing signals alert motorists when trail users cross), it passes beneath Route 26 next to the canal, ending at Riga Drive.
In addition to providing an experience to enjoy nature and get in shape, the trail also makes it possible for residents of Ocean View and Cedar Neck to access businesses along Route 26 without walking along local roads. Plans eventually call for the trail to be extended further southeast, connecting to South Bethany.
The only things preventing me from giving the trail five stars are the high mosquito population in the warmer months of the year and lack of benches. The dead end at the northwest terminus of the trail also precludes access to Elliott Ave. and Back Bay Tours, limiting its potential to connect to communities there.
Actually a small network of multi-use trails, the Smyrna-Clayton Bike Path gives residents of both of these communities a great alternative to walking or biking along busy local roads.
The trail is comprised of two main branches, starting from Duck Creek Parkway on either side of the High School and Middle School campus. The northwest branch separates the high school from adjacent mini-storage facilities and a residential subdivision, while the northeast division follows a powerline that runs along a branch of Duck Creek and connects to the west side of Smyrna via a footbridge. Both branches of the trail wrap around the campus and converge just south of a small cow pasture. The trail continues southeast of here, crossing the creek on a footbridge and ending at the intersection of Routes 6 and 300.
In addition to giving local residents a chance to enjoy nature, the trail gives students at the high and middle schools a safe means to walk to and from school . Unfortunately, I noticed some minor deterioration on the footbridge northwest of the Route 6 and 300 intersection. People who are sensitive to loud noises should also be aware that the local fire company's emergency alert siren is just north of the junction between the northwest and northeast branches of the trail.
The beginning of the trail was easy to find after parking in the alternate parking area since the main parking was closed. The recent storm made the trail somewhat muddy with one fallen tree blocking the way about 1/4 mile from the trailhead. The narrow path along the water's edge on one side, and corn field on the other was fine to bike on, but ended at just over a mile due to a small stream that needed to be crossed. Instead of trying to find an alternate way across, we just turned around and headed back to the parking lot.
Wish they'd extend it somehow. It's a decent workout and somewhat nicer in the colder months since it dumps you into del Rec. Not as many walkers in the winter
This is absolutely one of the nicest urban trail systems I’ve ever seen. The diversity is outstanding as you traverse from park to park. Rolling hills, thick canopies, sheer rock walls, frisbee golf, babbling brooks, historic buildings, on and on. Great for running, hiking, and biking. It is my opinion that if you don’t give this five stars you just don’t like the outdoors.
Surprisingly pleasant trail - crushed stone/pine needle surface w/ plenty of shade. 1 mile out and back w/ ample parking at the trailhead. There are several other trails at the parking area as well. Flat and scenic stroll thru the pine woods and fresh pond waters. Most enjoyable!
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