**Please take note that some of the below locations are open to hunting. If you
decide to go there during hunting season, be sure to wear the proper safety gear
(bright orange) that will identify you as human or go on a Sunday when hunting isn't
permitted. You don't want to be mistaken for someone's dinner!**
Delaware County Parks and Recreation has a short listing of local parks within the county. There isn’t much for good hiking trails if you’re looking for longer distances but there are a few. Two of the listed parks contain trail maps (Smedley and Glen Providence Parks) but the others look to be relatively small. If you scroll down towards the bottom, you’ll see links to several townships where you may be able find some municipal parks to check out.
Delaware County PA Attractions has a listing of parks and arboretums you can check out. Each of the attractions listed on this page have links to other websites giving a better description of the location. Take note that some of the locations on this site are not in Delaware County
Middletown Township Trail System - This site provides a listing of eight different places where you can go hiking. By the looks of it, the trails vary from a half mile to three and a half miles in length minus Tyler Arboretum – more on this location to follow. Other than Tyler Arboretum, there are trail maps for each.
Delaware County Parks and Recreation has a short listing of local parks within the county. There isn’t much for good hiking trails if you’re looking for longer distances but there are a few. Two of the listed parks contain trail maps (Smedley and Glen Providence Parks) but the others look to be relatively small. If you scroll down towards the bottom, you’ll see links to several townships where you may be able find some municipal parks to check out.
Delaware County PA Attractions has a listing of parks and arboretums you can check out. Each of the attractions listed on this page have links to other websites giving a better description of the location. Take note that some of the locations on this site are not in Delaware County
Middletown Township Trail System - This site provides a listing of eight different places where you can go hiking. By the looks of it, the trails vary from a half mile to three and a half miles in length minus Tyler Arboretum – more on this location to follow. Other than Tyler Arboretum, there are trail maps for each.
Chester Creek Trail
- while not built just yet, a project is underway to build a paved
trail mostly in Middletown Township (to start as this is ongoing) a
total of 2.8 miles in length. Construction is due to be starting on this
in the spring of 2015.
Hildacy Farm Preserve - Located in Media, PA, the Hildacy Farm Preserve is home to the headquarters of the Natural Lands Trust which has a number of preserves scattered throughout eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The preserve is relatively small with approximately 3.5 miles of trails on 55 acres. You can add a little distance to your hike by also exploring a small portion of the Green Bank Farm Park which is directly alongside the preserve and has a few short trails. Since this preserve is so small and unless you're just looking to take a leisure stroll, I'd plan it out so that you're exploring more than one destination in a single day. It's a nice place to hike but if you're looking to get several miles of hiking in, it would be best to go elsewhere.
Ridley Creek State Park - I’ve been to Ridley Creek State park a few times throughout the years and until this past May (2015), I hadn't hiked the trails which are in excellent condition for the most part. According to the DCNR, there are 13 miles of hiking trails, 5 miles of paved multi-use trails and another 4.7 miles for equestrian use. There’s also a connecting trail between Ridley Creek State Park and the Tyler Arboretum if you’re looking to add some miles to your hike. You can also check out the Hunting Hill Mansion and the gardens just outside the mansion. Note that approximately 1,200 acres of the park are open to hunting.
Hildacy Farm Preserve - Located in Media, PA, the Hildacy Farm Preserve is home to the headquarters of the Natural Lands Trust which has a number of preserves scattered throughout eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The preserve is relatively small with approximately 3.5 miles of trails on 55 acres. You can add a little distance to your hike by also exploring a small portion of the Green Bank Farm Park which is directly alongside the preserve and has a few short trails. Since this preserve is so small and unless you're just looking to take a leisure stroll, I'd plan it out so that you're exploring more than one destination in a single day. It's a nice place to hike but if you're looking to get several miles of hiking in, it would be best to go elsewhere.
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| Looking downstream on Crum Creek from the Red Loop Trail at Hildacy Farm Preserve - December 2015 |
Ridley Creek State Park - I’ve been to Ridley Creek State park a few times throughout the years and until this past May (2015), I hadn't hiked the trails which are in excellent condition for the most part. According to the DCNR, there are 13 miles of hiking trails, 5 miles of paved multi-use trails and another 4.7 miles for equestrian use. There’s also a connecting trail between Ridley Creek State Park and the Tyler Arboretum if you’re looking to add some miles to your hike. You can also check out the Hunting Hill Mansion and the gardens just outside the mansion. Note that approximately 1,200 acres of the park are open to hunting.
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| Ruins of the Mosser House alongside the Blue Trail at Ridley Creek State Park |
Tyler Arboretum - The Tyler Arboretum is a bit of a hidden treasure if you’re looking for a place to go hiking. Surprisingly, within the 650 acres of the property, there are approximately 17 miles of trails as well as a large garden area where there are different flowers in bloom depending on what time of year you are there. It’s also home to one of the largest Sequoia trees on the east coast. I think part of what keeps as many people from hiking the trails is that there is an $11 fee to visit the garden.
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| Giant Sequoia tree at Tyler Arboretum |
very well written
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Thanks for all these resources. Very useful.
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