The best running trails around Wilmington

The board walk takes you down to Wilmington and passes by several nice restaurants, some that offer outdoor eating if you want to keep eyes on your bike.

The Brandywine Unit of the First State National Historical Park is located in northern Delaware's scenic Brandywine Valley, and characterized by rolling hills, woodlands, and the Brandywine River. You can hike to the Brandywine Creek State Park, which offers hiking, bird watching, and fishing across over 900 acres of meadows, forests, and streams. The Brandywine Unit preserves the landscapes that inspired artists like Andrew Wyeth, attracting visitors interested in both nature and art. You can also see the adjacent Ramsey Farm, an idyllic working farm south of First State National Historical Park.

Brandywine Trail is one of the most popular trails in the Brandywine Creek State Park. This trail parallels the eastern side of the river through the trees with several trails intersecting it, allowing you to make hikes of almost any length. If you wish to get closer to the water on hot summer days, you can take connector trails to the Creekside Trail, which is just a few hundred yards closer to the river.

In the Brandywine Park, the "Augustine Cut-off" features three significant bridges: a small pedestrian suspension bridge within the park, the stone arch CSX Brandywine River Railroad Bridge built in 1910 by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the Augustine Bridge, a truss bridge originally built in 1885 for railroad use and converted to vehicular traffic in 1920. This area, historically notable for its water-powered industry and designed in part by Frederick Law Olmsted, is just downstream from the Augustine Paper Mill complex. The mill, with its seven 19th-century stone buildings, is largely replaced by modern construction, though Building 7, a three-story mill with thick stone walls and a slate roof, survives. It was acquired by the Container Corporation of America in 1942, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, and redeveloped into a gated condominium complex in 1985.

Brandywine Park in Wilmington, Delaware, established in 1886, was the first city park developed by the city of Wilmington, Delaware and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Spanning approximately 178 acres on both sides of Brandywine Creek, it features walking trails and scenic views down the water, and over several gardens and green spaces. The park includes wilderness areas, formal gardens (a rose garden and a cherry blossom garden), and active recreational facilities like playgrounds, athletic fields, and the Abessinio Stadium. It also houses the Brandywine Zoo, which occupies 4.75 acres in the southeastern part of the park.

Bellevue State Park, a 328-acre park in Wilmington's suburbs, offers year-round recreation from 8 a.m. until sunset. Named after Bellevue Hall, the former mansion of William du Pont Jr., the park features facilities built by du Pont, including barns, horse stables, indoor and outdoor horse tracks (which is now a fitness track for people), tennis courts, and a pond. The park is also home to the historic Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Cauffiel House near Stoney Creek. The state of Delaware purchased the estate in 1976, transforming it into a public park with a variety of recreational facilities. In addition to the paved walking trails, the Northern Delaware Greenway runs through it, connecting it with several other parks in the area.

Boardwalk around a marsh pond next to the Cristina River and the Jack A. Markell Trail. Wide variety of sports possible. The Nature center offers a small display of critters and wooden birds.