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Hiking Trails Under 5 km near Newark

The directory currently contains 12 quality-checked routes matching this guide near Newark. Their average mapped distance is 3.0 km and average recorded ascent is 88 m (289 ft); the longest route in the set is 4.7 km.

This subset represents 75% of the 16 quality-checked routes near Newark. Its average distance is 3.0 km, compared with 4.2 km across the full local set.

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, 5 routes (42%) are rated easy, 0 (0%) are rated hard or expert, and 2 (17%) 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

2.3 km

Hidden Pond

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

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

36 m

Creekside 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

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
Moderate

Deer Creek Trail (green)

Maryland · United States

Distance
4.3 km
/ 2.7 mi
Elevation gain
154 m
Typical duration
1 hr 7 min
  • River
Moderate

Farm Road Trail (blue)

Maryland · United States

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
158 m
Typical duration
54 min
Moderate

Rock Run Trail

Maryland · United States

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
89 m
Typical duration
26 min
Easy

Oak Point Trail

Maryland · United States

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
31 m
Typical duration
14 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
Susquehanna Ridge Trail (red)Maryland4.7 km286 m1 hr 25 minModerateApril 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
Deer Creek Trail (green)Maryland4.3 km154 m1 hr 7 minModerateApril to October
Farm Road Trail (blue)Maryland3.2 km158 m54 minModerateApril to October
Ivy Branch Trail (orange)Maryland3.6 km41 m49 minModerateApril to October
Land of Promise Trail (white)Maryland2.5 km73 m38 minModerateApril to October
Rock Run TrailMaryland1.4 km89 m26 minModerateApril to October

Rocky Run, Brandywine Trail, Creekside Trail 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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