10 Hidden Delaware Hikes That Outshine Gordon's Pond Route

Gordon’s Pond Trail may hog the Instagram spotlight, but Delaware’s backwoods are packed with trails that’ll blow your hiking boots off.

Picture cypress swamps buzzing with dragonflies, shady paths whispering with history, and forgotten boundary stones that feel like props from a mystery flick. These under-the-radar routes trade selfie sticks for real adventure, giving you mud on your shoes, fresh air in your lungs, and stories worth bragging about.

If you’re ready to skip the crowds, the First State’s wild side is calling.

1. Burton Island Nature Preserve Loop

Hidden behind Indian River Marina, a sandy trail winds through salt marsh alive with herons hunting like feathered ninjas.

Boardwalks cross wetlands where fiddler crabs wave comically. Binoculars reveal osprey plunging for fish, egrets strutting like models, and bay views so dazzling you’ll forget crowded Gordon’s Pond entirely.

2. Prickly Pear Trail

Where else can you spot actual cactus in Delaware? These spiky survivors dot the meadows alongside this 3.5-mile loop that most beachgoers never know exists. Though sandy in spots, crushed stone sections make for easier trekking.

Indian River Bay peeks through trees like a shy celebrity, offering killer views without the selfie sticks. Summer hikers might catch wild blackberries – nature’s trail snack that beats any energy bar!

3. Thompson Island Nature Preserve

Sshhh! This might be Rehoboth’s best-kept secret. Just 1.4 miles of crushed stone leads to a dreamy marsh point where silence feels like luxury compared to boardwalk chaos.

How cool is this? The limited parking actually helps keep crowds minimal. Watch ospreys build massive stick mansions atop channel markers. Wheelchair users appreciate the accessible design that doesn’t sacrifice wilderness vibes.

4. Bob Trail

Ever seen trees growing straight from water? Trap Pond’s bald cypress swamp looks like something from a fantasy movie, complete with knobby “knees” poking through tea-colored water. Bob Trail delivers prime views without the crowds.

Boardwalk sections let you literally walk above the swamp – talk about Instagram gold! Turtles sunbathe on logs while dragonflies zip around like tiny helicopters. At 4.6 miles, you’ll get your steps in while experiencing Delaware’s weirdest ecosystem.

5. Pine Grove Trail

Forget fancy equipment – this 0.8-mile loop delivers maximum nature with minimum effort. Towering loblolly pines create a cathedral ceiling while marsh glimpses tease through the trees.

Wildlife spotting here? Next level! Deer tiptoeing through undergrowth might freeze like statues when they notice you. Combine with nearby Boardwalk Trail for a Prime Hook trifecta that beats any beach stroll for peace and quiet.

6. Swamp Forest Trail

The name sounds spooky, yet Lums Pond loop charms like a fairy tale. Nearly seven miles weave through towering tulip poplars whispering centuries of secrets.

Turtles pile like syrupy pancakes, hawks circle above, and quiet woods erase Wilmington’s nearness. Trail runners savor rolling terrain, every stride kissed with earthy forest air.

7. Pondside Trail

Imagine hugging a pond for 2.7 miles while barely seeing another soul! This narrow footpath keeps mountain bikers away, creating a peaceful zone where great blue herons hunt like statues come to life.

Lily pads dot the shallows like green dinner plates. Killens Pond might be famous for its water park, but smart hikers skip the slides for this serene shoreline experience instead. Morning fog creates magical photo ops as it lifts off the water.

8. Twin Valley Trail

Northern Delaware trail serves Appalachian vibes in miniature, climbing and dipping through 3.6 miles of lung-testing terrain. Ridges gift breezes, valleys cling humid.

Spring paints trilliums like starlight across forest floors, while autumn explodes in crayon-box brilliance. Fewer bikes mean peaceful footsteps echo among leaves crunching under hikers’ boots.

9. Tri-State Marker Loop

History buffs, this one’s for you! How many trails let you stand in three states simultaneously? This 4-mile woodland adventure leads to the exact spot where Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania meet at a historic stone marker.

Revolutionary War vibes abound as you follow paths surveyed by Mason and Dixon themselves. Kids love the “I’m in three places at once!” photo op. Spring brings wildflower explosions while fall delivers leaf-crunching satisfaction under your boots.