Looking for places to bicycle in Delaware? Here are 12 treks to check out

Delaware’s surplus of state and county parks, its many rider-friendly trails and roadways with bike lanes make it somewhat of a cycling paradise.

As the weather warms, more will begin pushing their pedals as a form of exercise or travel in the great outdoors.

With that in mind, here are a dozen Delaware bike rides that are particularly appealing and worth a try, starting up north and then moving south with four in each of the state's three counties:

Bicyclists are among the first to cross the renovated St. Georges Bridge Friday, Oct. 11 after an 18-month, $46.4 million project.

Northern Delaware Greenways Trail

Delaware’s early 1990s response to increasing development was the creation of this 10½ -mile path, which has earned recognition as a National Recreation Trail. Though it runs west from the Cauffiel Estate just south of Claymont, Bellevue State Park north of Wilmington is a popular starting spot. The course has some hilly stretches as it passes Rockwood Park and the historic mansion. It then cuts over I-95 and through Alapocas Run State Park and into downtown along the Brandywine River.

Jack A. Markell Trail

Stretching from the Wilmington Riverfront at the DuPont Environmental Education Center, this 6-mile route covers asphalt terrain but also boardwalks built over the marshy areas by the Russell W. Peterson Wildlife Refuge that it traverses. It does have a couple road crossings and tunnels but takes riders all the way to Battery Park in New Castle along the Delaware River, where a separate 1.7-mile route sits.

James F. Hall Trail/Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail

This Newark conduit includes the 1.8-mile Hall course through Phillips and Kells parks that then connects with the 4½-mile Pomeroy route. In addition to the pleasant path, they provide proximity to the Newark Train Station, Newark History Museum and other attractions that Newark, its Main Street and the University of Delaware campus have to offer. It also leads directly to White Clay Creek State Park to the north and its myriad of trail choices.

Michael Castle Trail

This 12½-mile relatively level paved route offers periodic views of large ships traveling through the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, which it straddles on the north side. It runs between Fort du Pont State Park along the Delaware River in Delaware City to the state border with Maryland. It actually continues several more miles to North Chesapeake City for those who want to extend the trip.

Cyclists ride on the Michael Castle Trail in Delaware City.

Capital City Trail

This 4.5-mile route takes riders past state government buildings in Dover as well as along Silver Lake and its tree-shrouded route and is part of the under-development St. Jones River Greenway.

Isaac Branch Greenway Trail

This is somewhat of a hidden gem among Delaware bikeways. Running 3-plus miles between southeastern Dover and the northwest edge of Dover Air Force Base, it’s level and, in warm weather, very green with wildlife visitors and periodic aircraft overhead.

POW/MIA Memorial Parkway

 Beautiful Brecknock Park on the southern edge of Dover flanking Route 13 is a popular launch pad for this 3.3-mile section. It runs parallel to the parkway past both developed and undeveloped areas with a variety of landscapes.

Killen’s Pond Bicycle Trail

While this 2.3 mile route in central Delaware doesn’t take riders past the pond itself, it does put them within Killens Pond State Park’s scenic setting while providing access to all it offers. It’s also easily accessible starting outside the park where Route 13 intersects with Killens Pond Road near Lake Forest High School. 

When completed, the Georgetown-Lewes bicycle trail will travel the 17 miles between its namesake towns. Pictured here is the trail near Beach Time Distilling in Lewes on May 13, 2023.

Georgetown-Lewes Trail 

This east-west route already covers 11 miles linking the Sussex County towns with six more miles being developed toward a spring 2026 finish. Adding to this path’s appeal is the link with the northern tip of the Junction & Breakwater Trail in Lewes, allowing cyclists to easily and significantly extend their rides. Cyclists should be wary of several road crossings requiring patience and caution.  

Junction & Breakwater Trail

This converted railway route is farther west from the ocean than the Gordon’s Pond Trail but also links Lewes near Cape Henlopen High School and toward the northwest outskirts of Rehoboth Beach over 8.3 miles. It benefits from having parking areas at its midpoint off Wolfe Neck Road and the Tanger Outlets at Seaside Outlet Drive. Riders can enjoy a myriad of surroundings that include marshes, forests and farmland.

President Joe Biden goes for a bike ride at Gordons Pond State Park near Rehoboth Beach on Aug. 11, 2024.

Gordon’s Pond Trail

This popular route is a feast for the senses while taking riders from the southern rim of Cape Henlopen State Park at Herring Point to the northern edge of Rehoboth Beach at the Gordon’s Pond parking area. Former president Joe Biden is a frequent traveler here with his nearby Rehoboth area home. Part of the 3.2-mile route is on elevated boardwalk above the marsh. Birdwatchers are particularly fond of this trek and enjoy several overlooks. But with the oceanside location, riders should be aware of potentially stiff winds.

Bob Trail

Trap Pond State Park near Laurel in southwestern Sussex County is a unique destination because of its signature bald cypress trees. This 4½-mile route provides riders with stellar views of those while enjoying the surrounding forest and connects its campground and nature center. It winds up the west side of the park, where a beach that was once popular during the days of racial segregation provides a history lesson, then loops through woods on the east side.

Contact Kevin Tresolini at [email protected] and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Looking for places to bicycle in Delaware? Here are 12 treks to check out