When most people think about an outdoor adventure, Delaware is the last state to come to mind. Those of us who live here, though, understand that beautiful hiking trails and off-the-grid wilderness aren’t too hard to find. Delaware’s Cape Henlopen, where the Bay and Ocean meet in the town of Lewes, is one of the best hiking destinations in the state. Visit to explore the Walking Dune trail and see for yourself how pretty a beach hike in Delaware can be.

Cape Henlopen State Park is one of the most beautiful places in the state of Delaware, and it's the perfect place for a beach hike.
Alyson Hurt/Flickr
The Walking Dune trail is one hike that's worth taking any time of year. Travel more than 2.5 miles along paved paths and sandy trails to find Delaware's largest dune and a beautiful ocean view.
Bryant Sterling/AllTrails
There's nothing like salt air to make you feel better when the weather is clear and a sea breeze comes in.
Ceylan Alkan/AllTrails
From the top of the Walking Dune, you'll be able to look out across Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean for a panoramic view of the Cape.
Ryan Botzler/AllTrails
Make time to explore Cape Henlopen State Park this year and you'll be rewarded with views of wildlife, warm sand beneath your feet, and the refreshing power of the ocean.
Orlando Karpf/AllTrails


Take a closer look at the Cape Henlopen State Park campground, one of Delaware's best places to find beach trails, in this video from Wandering Out Yonder:

Address: 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE, 19958

When it comes to finding a good beach hike in Delaware, Cape Henlopen State Park is a great place to do it. Delaware is home to so many stunning hikes, and it’s easy to find an outdoor adventure. Read about more low-key beach hikes in Delaware with amazing payoffs for more inspiration.

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More Delaware beach hikes

Chris Muras | April 26, 2023

What are some of the best beach trails in Delaware?

 

If you are looking for a wonderful outdoor adventure, a hike on the beach is pretty amazing. With stunning ocean views and warm sandy beaches, here are some of the best beach trails in Delaware:

  • Woodland Beach, Smyrna, DE: This hidden gem near Smyrna is typically very quiet with not many people. It's perfect for a quiet hike with wildflowers lining the trail and a hidden beach at the end.
  • Gordons Pond Trail, Lewes, DE: Another wonderful beach trail in Cape Henlopen State Park, take Gardens Pond Trail to Rehoboth Beach. Sand dunes, tide pools, boardwalks, and plenty of wildlife including many migratory birds you might not see elsewhere. You'll even find Herring Point, which was an important area during the Civil War and World War II. Climb to the top of an old lookout tower for amazing views.
  • Pinelands Nature Trail, Lewes, DE: Between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach you'll find another hidden gem. Enjoy a beautiful 1.5-mile loop trail over sandy, grassy, and dirt-packed terrain through an old pine forest. It is a very quiet scenic trail you might just have all to yourself.
  • James Farm Ecological Preserve, Ocean View, DE: This wonderful nature preserve features 150 acres and several miles of forest and beach trails. Follow the boardwalk over the salt marsh and you'll catch a glimpse of ospreys and other birds as you enjoy shaded forest landscape. The trail opens up to a secluded beach where you can plop down a picnic or rent a kayak to immerse yourself in tranquility.

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Walking Dunes Trail, Delaware 19958, USA