Don’t Attempt This One Hike in Delaware Unless You’re Up for a Real Challenge

What is the most challenging hike you've done in Delaware? We all know that Delaware is a relatively flat state, but that doesn't mean there aren't trails where you'll experience significant overall elevation gain. One such trail can be found at Brandywine Creek State Park, and it's considered a hard hike on AllTrails due to its distance, the varied terrain, and the over 1,000-foot elevation gain. Could this be the most extreme hike in Delaware? Maybe, but it also depends on one's fitness and endurance levels. If you're up for one of the more challenging hikes in Delaware, take the Brandywine Creek Long Loop.

Brandywine Creek State Park is an oasis of nearly 1,000 acres in the city of Wilmington and features a nature center, a retail store, picnic areas, and 14 miles of trails. Outdoor recreation here includes biking, mountain biking, birding, cross-country skiing, sledding, fishing, disc golf, paddling, and, of course, hiking. It has a varied landscape that includes an old-growth forest, hardwood forests, Brandywine Creek, meadows, and old farmland. Much of the land that now belongs to this state park was once part of an old Quaker farming community in the late 17th century, and then estate land owned by the Du Pont family. Many trails at Brandywine Creek State Park follow old farm roads.

One of the hardest hikes at Brandywine Creek State Park is the Brandywine Creek Long Loop. At 11.7 miles long with a 1,289-foot overall elevation gain, this trail will test your endurance—if you finish it and don't turn around, that is. While you can certainly turn around at any point, you may feel quite accomplished if you end up completing the entire 11.7 miles. This trail should take over 5 hours from start to finish, so plan to start early, as the park closes at dusk.

Because Brandywine Creek State Park is in the hilly piedmont region of Delaware, you'll encounter some steep areas at certain points along the trail. With its varied terrain, including paved and dirt sections, it's best to wear sturdy hiking boots to help you navigate the entire trek. You should also bring a backpack with everything you'll need, including plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. Hiking poles may also be a good idea due to the trail's length. Also, make sure to check the weather before attempting this hike.

Along the Brandywine Creek Long Loop, you'll walk through the woods, past the creek, through meadows, and past farmland. The scenery is stunning, and you may even see horses and other farm animals, as well as wildlife. Please note that if you bring your dog, it must remain on a leash at all times.

To view a Brandywine Creek Long Loop Trail Map, visit AllTrails, and visit the Delaware State Parks website for hours, parking, and entry fees to Brandywine Creek State Park.

Past hikers have noted that the trail isn't well-marked in some areas. As frustrating as that can be, downloading the AllTrails+ app to your phone before hitting the trail is incredibly helpful. Best of all, you can also download offline maps from the app.

From family-friendly to advanced hiking trails in Delaware, check out our list of top-rated hikes around the state. You may also want to try Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner, a fun and easy way to plan your own Delaware hiking adventures.