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 🙂
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 🙂
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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.
Another great running option in downtown Wilmington, the Jack A. Markell Trail goes for 4.2 miles. Highlights are a 1.5 mile Riverwalk section, then 1 mile on a wooden boardwalk through the Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge.
Just northeast of downtown, there are wonderful paved paths in the Olmsted-designed Brandywine Park, on both sides of the creek. Good connections to additional trails in Alapocas State Park and Rockford Park. Great running track nearby!
Lovely trails on the grounds of a Gothic Manor House at Rockwood Park, connecting through the wooded Bringhurst Woods Park to trails in Bellevue State Park, the former Dupont Estate, which includes a 1.1 mile Fitness Track. All part of the Greenway Trail.
A run near downtown Wilmington on Kentmere Parkway and Bancroft Parkway -- attractive streets with grassy medians and lovely homes well set back from the road. They hearken back to an era of thoughtful urban/neighborhood design.
Just south of Wilmington, in New Castle, runners will find the New Castle Battery Park. A short paved path follows along the Delaware River for about 2 miles one-way.
Excellent running options in Newark, 13 miles south of Wilmington: a reservoir loop trail, two paved rail trails, paths around the University of Delaware Campus, and great trail running in White Clay Creek State Park. And, cross the Mason Dixon Line!
South of Wilmington, Lums Pond State Park has several miles of trails that are great for running. At the southern end of the park is a trailhead for the 14-mile Michael N. Castle Trail, with paved and gravel paths along the C&D Canal.
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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.
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!