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Hiking Trails Under 5 km in Delaware

The directory currently contains 12 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Delaware. Their average mapped distance is 2.7 km and average recorded ascent is 20 m (66 ft); the longest route in the set is 4.5 km.

This subset represents 67% of the 18 quality-checked routes in Delaware. Its average distance is 2.7 km, compared with 29.4 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 20 m (66 ft), versus 112 m (367 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

Every route in this set has a mapped distance of 5 km or less. Time and suitability still depend on ascent, surface and conditions. Within this set, 11 routes (92%) are rated easy, 0 (0%) are rated hard or expert, and 3 (25%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.

Data refreshed September 2026

Choose by the details

How do these routes differ?

A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

1.7 km

St. Jones Reserve Trail

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

0 m

St. Jones Reserve Trail

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

2 recorded loops

Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.

Plan the return journey →

Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.

Trails

Anemometer of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System weather station at the Saint Jones Reserve in Kitts Hummock, Kent County, Delaware
Easy

St. Jones Reserve Trail

Delaware · United States

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.0 mi
Typical duration
21 min
  • Lake
  • Wildlife watching
Clump of Asplenium platyneuron fronds, showing fertile and sterile frond dimorphism. Woodlawn Trustees property (or Brandywine Creek State Park ); in valley of Rocky Run.
Moderate

Rocky Run

Delaware · United States

Distance
2.9 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
86 m
Typical duration
44 min
View south-southwesterly from near the park headquarters at Brandywine Creek State Park , showing forest and a farm on park lands.
Easy

Brandywine Trail

Delaware · United States

Distance
4.5 km
/ 2.8 mi
Elevation gain
65 m
Typical duration
1 hr 1 min
Easy

Creekside Trail

Delaware · United States

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
36 m
Typical duration
43 min
Easy

Hidden Pond

Delaware · United States

Distance
2.3 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
37 m
Typical duration
33 min
View west along Delaware State Route 8 (East Division Street) at U.S. Route 13 (DuPont Highway) in Dover, Kent County, Delaware
Easy

East Loockerman Street

Delaware · United States

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
6 m
Typical duration
26 min
Easy

5K Trail

Delaware · United States

Distance
4.5 km
/ 2.8 mi
Typical duration
57 min
Easy

Pondside Nature Trail

Delaware · United States

Distance
4.2 km
/ 2.6 mi
Elevation gain
14 m
Typical duration
54 min
Easy

Yellow Trail

Delaware · United States

Distance
2.5 km
/ 1.6 mi
Typical duration
31 min

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
St. Jones Reserve TrailDelaware1.7 km0 m21 minEasyApril to October
Rocky RunDelaware2.9 km86 m44 minModerateApril to October
Brandywine TrailDelaware4.5 km65 m1 hr 1 minEasyApril to October
Creekside TrailDelaware3.2 km36 m43 minEasyApril to October
Hidden PondDelaware2.3 km37 m33 minEasyApril to October
East Loockerman StreetDelaware2.1 km6 m26 minEasyApril to October
Boardwalk Trail (Purple)Delaware0.8 km0 m11 minEasyApril to October
5K TrailDelaware4.5 km0 m57 minEasyApril to October
Black Farm Trail (Red)Delaware3.1 km0 m38 minEasyApril to October
Blue Goose Trail (Blue)Delaware0.5 km0 m7 minEasyApril to October

St. Jones Reserve Trail, Creekside Trail, Rocky Run currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Plan with more confidence

All planning articles →

Choosing a route

How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label

Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.

Read article →

Understanding the map

Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb

Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.

Read article →

Planning your day

Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace

Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.

Read article →

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Other shortlists covering the same area or the same kind of terrain.

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