Easy hikes and walks in Delaware

Nice little tidbit of local history about iron mining and the name sake of the hill.

The Brandywine Unit of the First State National Historical Park is located in northern Delaware's scenic Brandywine Valley, and characterized by rolling hills, woodlands, and the Brandywine River. You can hike to the Brandywine Creek State Park, which offers hiking, bird watching, and fishing across over 900 acres of meadows, forests, and streams. The Brandywine Unit preserves the landscapes that inspired artists like Andrew Wyeth, attracting visitors interested in both nature and art. You can also see the adjacent Ramsey Farm, an idyllic working farm south of First State National Historical Park.

In the Brandywine Park, the "Augustine Cut-off" features three significant bridges: a small pedestrian suspension bridge within the park, the stone arch CSX Brandywine River Railroad Bridge built in 1910 by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the Augustine Bridge, a truss bridge originally built in 1885 for railroad use and converted to vehicular traffic in 1920. This area, historically notable for its water-powered industry and designed in part by Frederick Law Olmsted, is just downstream from the Augustine Paper Mill complex. The mill, with its seven 19th-century stone buildings, is largely replaced by modern construction, though Building 7, a three-story mill with thick stone walls and a slate roof, survives. It was acquired by the Container Corporation of America in 1942, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, and redeveloped into a gated condominium complex in 1985.

Brandywine Park in Wilmington, Delaware, established in 1886, was the first city park developed by the city of Wilmington, Delaware and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Spanning approximately 178 acres on both sides of Brandywine Creek, it features walking trails and scenic views down the water, and over several gardens and green spaces. The park includes wilderness areas, formal gardens (a rose garden and a cherry blossom garden), and active recreational facilities like playgrounds, athletic fields, and the Abessinio Stadium. It also houses the Brandywine Zoo, which occupies 4.75 acres in the southeastern part of the park.

Iron Hill Park spans over 300 acres across Iron Hill, a geological feature in Newark, Delware, and offers a variety of outdoor activities for visitors. The park features an extensive network of hiking and biking trails that weave through wooded areas, providing scenic views and a chance to observe local wildlife. There is also a small pond, a disc golf course, and for those interested in history, the Iron Hill Museum and Science Center, toward the base of the hill, that offers insights into the area's past and its geological significance.

William M. Redd, Jr. Park is a small, 69-acre park immediately north of Newark Reservoir Park. The trails within William M. Redd, Jr. Park take visitors through woods and along a stream. This park can be accessed from parking lots on the north side off of Paper Mill Road or by trails along the reservoir.

Enchanted Lake is a lake within Carousel Farm that has a fountain in the middle. There are often waterfowl and reptiles that hang out in the area, so this could be a good area for spotting some critters.

Nice quiet gravel way through woodlands. Don't forget the bug spray in the summer. Parking available there is a fee in the summer.