Wilmington, DE

Brandywine Creek State Park and Winterthur

Wikimedia Commons: Choess

Just northeast of Wilmington, Brandywine Creek State Park has miles of trails for running, around fields and through woods. Just west, the Winterthur du Pont estate offers a one-of-a-kind run around botanical gardens, including 10 miles of roads.

Brandywine Creek State Park. This 1,000-acre park divided by grey stone walls, built when the property was a dairy farm owned by the du Pont family. Three nature preserves are located within the park, including: Tulip Tree Woods, a majestic stand of 190-year-old tulip poplar, and Freshwater Marsh.

There are great running options in the park. For gentler trail running, try the 2.6 mile Creek Trail, and the slightly more rugged running on the 2.9 mile crushed stone Brandywine Trail. Trail runners looking for some challenge will enjoy the 3.1 mile cross-country course and the 1.8 mile Rocky Run. This PARK MAP has excellent info.

Winterthur Museum & Library. Wikimedia Commons

Winterthur. The former du Pont estate has gorgeous paths around gardens and 10 miles of bucolic roads with little traffic. There are mile markers every 0.25 miles. The catch: set opening hours and a $20 admission fee is required (can be used on consecutive days). Members can run the trails after hours to their hearts’ content 🙂

Essentials
  • Depends on trail chosen
  • There are some hillier trail running options at Brandywine Creek SP
  • Depends on trail chosen
  • Access to Brandywine Creek SP is off SR 92/Thopmsons Bridge Rd.; Winterthur is off Woods Rd.

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Essentials
  • Depends on trail chosen
  • There are some hillier trail running options at Brandywine Creek SP
  • Depends on trail chosen
  • Access to Brandywine Creek SP is off SR 92/Thopmsons Bridge Rd.; Winterthur is off Woods Rd.