Rockwood Park, Bringhurst Woods Park, and Bellevue State Park are a series of connected parks northeast of Wilmington that are wonderful for running. They combine for a 2.5 mile section of the Delaware North Greenway Trail, which extends from Brandywine Park to Fox Point State Park.
Manor in Rockwood Park
Rockwood Park includes paved trails around the grounds of a 19th-century Gothic manor house (tours available). A loop is ~1 mile. Continue east on the Greenway Trail for 0.7 miles through the more wooded Bringhurst Woods Park, crossing Highway 3 into Bellevue State Park. This park, which is the former du Pont family estate, features numerous trails, tennis courts, fishing pond, stables & more. There’s also a wonderful, wide fitness track, which is 1.1 miles around.
Add-Ons: The Greenway Trail continues east of Bellevue Park for 0.6 miles to I-495. Or, west of Rockwood Park, the Greenway Trail goes for 1 mile to our Alapocas State Park and Brandywine Park route. Another add-on just west of Rockwood Park is the Matson Run Parkway, a leafy road with good sidewalks and nice homes that goes for 0.7 miles from Haynes Park to the Music School of Delaware.
Rockwood Park, Bringhurst Woods Park, and Bellevue State Park are a series of connected parks northeast of Wilmington that are wonderful for running. They combine for a 2.5 mile section of the Delaware North Greenway Trail, which extends from Brandywine Park to Fox Point State Park.
Manor in Rockwood Park
Rockwood Park includes paved trails around the grounds of a 19th-century Gothic manor house (tours available). A loop is ~1 mile. Continue east on the Greenway Trail for 0.7 miles through the more wooded Bringhurst Woods Park, crossing Highway 3 into Bellevue State Park. This park, which is the former du Pont family estate, features numerous trails, tennis courts, fishing pond, stables & more. There’s also a wonderful, wide fitness track, which is 1.1 miles around.
Add-Ons: The Greenway Trail continues east of Bellevue Park for 0.6 miles to I-495. Or, west of Rockwood Park, the Greenway Trail goes for 1 mile to our Alapocas State Park and Brandywine Park route. Another add-on just west of Rockwood Park is the Matson Run Parkway, a leafy road with good sidewalks and nice homes that goes for 0.7 miles from Haynes Park to the Music School of Delaware.
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Essentials
2.5 miles of the Greenway Trail (one-way), with additional trails in Rockwood Park and Bellevue State Park
Some rolling hills
Any one of the parks or section of trail. Parking lots in at Rockwood and Bellevue SP
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!
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.
Northeast of Wimington, Brandywine Creek State Park has miles of trails for running, with easier or more challenging options. Just west, the Winterthur du Pont estate offers a one-of-a-kind run around botanical gardens, including 10 miles of roads.
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
2.5 miles of the Greenway Trail (one-way), with additional trails in Rockwood Park and Bellevue State Park
Some rolling hills
Any one of the parks or section of trail. Parking lots in at Rockwood and Bellevue SP
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!