New Castle Battery Park

The Battery Park Trail offers a delightful and universally accessible walking experience along the Delaware River in Historic New Castle. This easy 3.7-mile (5.9 km) paved path, with a minimal 9 feet (3 metres) of elevation gain, provides continuous scenic views of the water, passing ships, and the distant Delaware Memorial Bridge. You can expect a very low-stress outing, perfect for families and beginners, with shaded sections and benches available for breaks.

Planning your visit is straightforward, as the trail is easily accessible and parking is available at New Castle Battery Park. Since it's located right next to Historic New Castle, you'll have no trouble finding coffee shops, restaurants, and other amenities before or after your walk. The trail is suitable for all seasons, making it a reliable choice for a pleasant stroll any time of year.

Beyond its immediate charm, the Battery Park Trail is a segment of the much larger East Coast Greenway, offering opportunities for extended adventures. It also connects to the Jack A. Markell Trail, allowing you to add an extra 12 miles round trip towards the Wilmington Riverfront if you're feeling ambitious. The area is rich in history, with the trail itself named after cannons that once protected the city, and you might even spot the replica 17th-century ship Kalmar Nyckel docked nearby.

The Jack A. Markell Trail offers a unique journey through Delaware's diverse landscapes, connecting the urban energy of the Wilmington Riverfront with the historic charm of New Castle. You'll traverse extensive elevated boardwalks through the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge, where freshwater tidal marshes teem with wildlife like American Bald Eagles and river otters. The trail's terrain is predominantly paved and flat, making the 12.3-mile (19.8 km) distance the main challenge, rather than significant elevation changes.

Planning your visit is straightforward, as the trail is generally open year-round, though spring and fall provide ideal conditions for this 5-hour and 1-minute hike. Parking is available at both the Wilmington and New Castle ends. While the route is mostly off-road, be mindful of a few at-grade road crossings and a short on-road section in Historic New Castle. No permits are needed, making it an easy-to-access option for a long day out.

This trail is a significant part of the East Coast Greenway and the September 11th National Memorial Trail, built upon a former freight rail line. Its impressive infrastructure includes a 3,300-foot-long elevated boardwalk and a pedestrian bridge over the Christina River. The minimal 127 feet (39 metres) of elevation gain means the