The best walks and hikes in Salem County

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.

Easy accessible, well maintained walking trails

Rockwood Park centers around the Rockwood Museum. This English-style country estate was built between 1851 and 1854 by banker Joseph Shipley and serves as an excellent example of Rural Gothic Revival Architecture. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. There are lovely walking paths around the estate's grounds, which connect to the Northern Delaware Greenway. The park is open from dawn till dusk and the museum is open Thusday-Saturday from 10 am-4 pm and Sunday from 12-4 pm. Admission to the museum is $10, except for on the first Sunday of the month when admission is free for all ages.

The Jack A. Markell Trail is a paved multi-use path connecting downtown Wilmington to Historic New Castle. The 7.9-mile trail features scenic bridges on a railway track over the Christina River. Opened in 2018, the $26 million trail transformed an abandoned rail line into a pedestrian and bicycle path, including an elevated boardwalk, paved pathways, and a small on-road section by Farnhurst. Amenities along the trail include bike repair stations, rentals, interpretive kiosks, and a visitor center at the DuPont Environmental Education Center.

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.

Fox Point State Park is a 108-acre Delaware state park along the Delaware River in New Castle County, and rehabilitated former hazardous waste site. Spearheaded by S. Marston Fox and the Fox Point Civic Association, the park offers year-round recreational opportunities from 8:00 am until sunset. Visitors enjoy paved biking and pedestrian trails, picnic facilities, a playground, and areas for volleyball and horseshoes. The park provides scenic views of the Delaware River, including the Philadelphia skyline to the north and the Delaware Memorial Bridge to the south. The park's location on the Atlantic Flyway attracts a variety of migrating birds. It is also the northern terminus of the Coastal Heritage Greenway and the eastern terminus of the Northern Delaware Greenway.

Fort Delaware, located on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River, has a rich history dating back to its construction in the 1850s. Originally built as a coastal defense fortification, it played a significant role during the Civil War where it served as a Union fortress and prison for Confederate soldiers, holding over 33,000 prisoners throughout the war. Its formidable structure and strategic location made it an essential part of the Union's defense strategy. Visiting Fort Delaware State Park today offers a unique glimpse into the past. The journey begins with a .5-mile ferry ride across the river from either Delaware or New Jersey. Once on the island, you can explore the fort's well-preserved structures, including the massive granite walls, gun emplacements, and prison barracks. Guided tours led by costumed interpreters provide information about the fort and the daily lives of soldiers and prisoners during the Civil War era. The park also features living history demonstrations, reenactments, and interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages. Once you are done exploring the fort, there are some great nature trails on the island and observation areas that offer opportunities for birdwatching and for enjoying the island's natural beauty.

The only way to get to Fort Delaware State Park to visit the historic fort on Pea Patch Island is via ferry. You can catch the ferry from either Delaware City in Delaware, or Fort Mott State Park in New Jersey. The ferry runs every 30 minutes during the summer season, and although you can purchase tickets day of, reserving them in advance is highly recommended. You can do so at this site: https://delawarestateparks.reserveamerica.com/tourParkDetail.do?contractCode=DE&parkId=360113 There is no food on the island so visitors are encouraged to bring picnic lunches and snacks. There are also no cars on the island, so you should wear good walking shoes and bring layers and any other items you might need for a day out on the island.