Skip the Hike and Try This Scenic Bike Trail in Delaware Instead

I love a good hike, but I don’t always want an intense day on the trail. Sometimes a paved path, trees overhead, and an easy waterside ride sound a lot better than roots, rocks, and a steep climb.

If you can relate, the Michael N. Castle C&D Canal Trail is worth knowing about. This bike trail in Delaware runs along the north side of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, with sweeping canal views, passing boats, marshland, and wildlife woven into the ride. Multiple access points let you choose your distance, the terrain is mostly flat, and it's scenic enough to feel like a real outdoor adventure.

Where This Bike Trail in Delaware Is and What Makes It Unique

The Delaware portion covers 12.1 miles of paved trail, beginning near the Branch Canal south of Delaware City and continuing west to the Maryland state line. From there, the Ben Cardin Recreational Trail continues into Chesapeake City, Maryland, creating nearly 15 connected miles between the two canal towns.

That canal-side setting is what separates this route from a typical hike. Instead of building toward one overlook, the trail follows a working waterway where recreation and shipping traffic share the same corridor. You might pass under bridges, ride beside long straightaways, or catch sight of a vessel moving through the channel while cyclists and walkers continue along the path.

The trail is part of the larger C&D Canal Conservation Area, which includes more than 5,000 acres along the north and south banks of the Delaware portion of the canal. Main Delaware access points include Biddle Point, Lums Pond South, and St. Georges, with another trailhead near the town dock in Chesapeake City, Maryland.

Most of the route is easy to navigate, though Delaware Greenways notes there is a more challenging climb near Summit North Marina. Otherwise, the paved surface keeps the trail friendly for casual cyclists, walkers, runners, and families looking for a day outdoors that feels active without being overly demanding.

What You’ll See and What It’s Like To Experience It

The canal is the main draw, but the ride doesn’t feel the same from end to end. Near some access points, the path feels wide and open, with a clear view ahead and steady movement around you. Further along, it settles into quieter stretches near wooded edges, ponds, and pockets of habitat within the conservation area.

Wildlife is part of the scenery, too. Deer, turkeys, raccoons, peregrine falcons, pied-billed grebes, bald eagles, and other birds are among the wildlife seen in the area. If you enjoy birding, bring binoculars and leave yourself time for a few stops.

The 0.4-mile Branch Canal Trail also connects near Delaware City and follows part of a historic canal towpath. That short spur can bring you closer to town, local businesses, grassy wetland areas, and nearby historic sites.

You can keep the outing as short or as long as you want. Start from one trailhead for a quick out-and-back, make it a longer ride along the water, or continue toward Chesapeake City if you want more mileage. Delaware City also works well as an add-on near the eastern end, especially if you want to pair the trail with Fort Delaware State Park or Fort DuPont State Park.

Tips for Visiting

• Best time to go: Spring through fall is the best window for biking, walking, and longer rides. In summer, morning or late afternoon is usually more comfortable.
• What to bring: Water, sunscreen, a bike repair kit, and binoculars if you enjoy birding.

• Check before you go: Trail access may change due to canal work, maintenance, or closures. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced temporary impacts to part of the trail system in 2026, including areas near the Branch Canal and Cox Neck Road access, so check current conditions before heading out.
• Nearby add-on: Lums Pond State Park is close to the route if you want to add more trails, picnic areas, or extra time enjoying the ride.

Delaware has no shortage of ways to get outside, from wooded state park trails to waterfall walks worth adding to your list. And if you’re always looking for new trails, the best hiking trails in the U.S. offer inspiration beyond state lines.

But for a day when you want steady miles, canal scenery, and a route that doesn’t revolve around a hard climb, the Michael N. Castle C&D Canal Trail is an easy one to recommend. This scenic bike trail in Delaware gives you water views, wildlife, and enough distance to feel like a real outing without making the whole day about effort.