Your Guide to Bike Trails in Coastal Delaware
Your Guide to Bike Trails in Coastal Delaware
Thanks to its flat landscape and incredible trail system that takes you along miles of scenic coastline, Delaware offers a place for cyclists of all ages and experience levels to ride.
Delaware has invested and continues to invest resources and millions of dollars into providing safe and enjoyable places to ride bikes across the entire state. The state is dedicated to creating and maintaining accessible places to ride for everyone. Whether you're a longtime resident or you're just here on vacation, you've come to the right place.
The Most Popular Bike Trails in Delaware
In the Rehoboth Beach and coastal areas, there are more than 25 miles of biking trails to be enjoyed all year long by locals and tourists alike. Biking in Delaware is a great way to experience the state and exercise at the same time.
The most popular bike trails can be found near the Rehoboth area because of the beautiful coastal views. These trails are the perfect places to go to get away from the hustle of the city and busy shopping areas.
Gordon's Pond
A little over five miles long, Gordon’s Pond Trail connects the towns of Lewes and Rehoboth and offers some of the best views in Delaware. The trail runs along the side of Gordon’s Pond with overlooks of the lagoon at the southern end of the trail.
Gordon's Pond features multiple bike surfaces, including a paved bike trail, crushed stone and a half-mile boardwalk section. Gordon’s Pond is one of North America's four “migration superhighways” for many different kinds of waterfowl, so it's a popular destination for anyone looking to see some wildlife.
Due to nesting and hunting seasons, sections of the trail might be closed, so double-check with Cape Henlopen State Park before your trip.
Junction & Breakwater
For those just looking to have a nice pleasant bike ride around Rehoboth Beach, the Junction and Breakwater Trail is another very popular option. Like Gordon’s Pond, this trail connects the towns of Lewes and Rehoboth. Used both as a bike trail and a nature trail, Junction and Breakwater is a pleasant place for anyone to ride bikes, especially families with children.
This flat trail is almost six miles long and offers amazing views of the Lewes and Rehoboth area. The path itself has a mixed surface of crushed stone, concrete and asphalt. The trail winds around the glades and is filled with plenty of hardwoods, pines and hemlock, and you might even catch a peek at some wildlife. You can also connect these two popular routes with town streets to complete the 16-mile Regional Loop Route.
These trails are usually open from 8 a.m. to sunset.
Cycling From the Outlets in Rehoboth Beach
Taking a short bike ride to or from the Tanger Outlets is definitely possible, and you can do it without having to get on any of the busy roads. Part of the Junction and Breakwater Trail connects directly to the outlets.
This safe route is a great way to get to the outlets without worrying about all of the traffic coming in and out of Route 1.
Bike Riding on Rehoboth Beach's Boardwalk
Riding a bike on the boardwalk is a great way to watch the sunrise. If you didn't bring your bike on vacation with you, there are plenty of rental shops in and around Rehoboth Beach.
The exciting mile-long boardwalk is the pride of Rehoboth Beach and is a must-see if visiting the Delaware area. From pizza and burgers to seafood and ice cream, there are a number of food options available across the boardwalk. Go for a bike ride and then hop on an amusement ride or stop in at a specialty shop to end the day.
Due to the crowds, bike riding is only permitted on the Rehoboth boardwalk from daybreak to 10 a.m. during the summer season. For the remainder of the year, riders are welcome on the boardwalk all day long.
Delaware Bicycle Route 1
Bicycle Route 1 is a north-south route that runs the entire length of Delaware. This trail is usually taken by more serious cyclists looking for longer rides in coastal Delaware. The route stretches from the southern Maryland border in Fenwick Island to the northern Pennsylvania border near Montchanin. Because the route stretches across the entire state, you get to ride through all the scenic features Delaware has to offer, such as beaches, state parks, quaint coastal towns and farmlands.
A dedicated bike lane shoulder makes riding on the roads a little safer, but be sure to ride with caution and wear proper gear. If you prefer to avoid busy roads, there are options available for riders to get off and back on the route to skip any sections they may feel uncomfortable on. This flat route is a great option for serious cyclists who want to get in some miles and views along the coast.
Cycling Events in Southern Delaware
Delaware's biking community is very large and made up of some of the friendliest people. A number of Delaware cycling events are held every year to connect the community, raise support for great causes and celebrate everyone's shared love of bicycling. These are a few of the most popular events during the year in southern Delaware:
Ocean to Bay Bike Tour: Sponsored by the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce, this 10-mile race takes you along the coast to the Big Chill Beach Club and back.
Trap Pond Family Bike Rally: This 5K race is great for families who love outdoor activity. Rentals are limited, so be sure to bring your own bike.
Wheels for Meals: This race supports the Lewes-Rehoboth Meals on Wheels and offers options for riders of all ages. Choose from 10, 25 or 40 miles, or ride the whole century.
Broad Creek Bike & Brew: Sponsored by the Western Sussex Chamber of Commerce, this race concludes with a celebration of local microbreweries, live music and barbecue.
Tour de Sussex: Ride 25, 50 or 62 miles in this race sponsored by the Delaware Technical Community College. All routes start and end on campus, and proceeds go to scholarships for students in the Workforce Development program.
Event dates change every year, so be sure to check the race's web page for more information.
Is Biking in Rehoboth Safe?
Yes, biking in Rehoboth is safe. Rehoboth is a bicycle-friendly community, and tourists and locals are encouraged to explore the one-square-mile community and its surrounding areas by bike.
That said, many bikers prefer to stay off the roads during peak hours to avoid navigating heavy traffic. Those who still want to ride on roads often go out in the early morning hours when traffic is light.
There are also many paved bike trail options in Rehoboth and the surrounding areas perfect for family rides. The city of Rehoboth provides a bike route map to help guide those who aren’t familiar with the area, including suggested routes and areas riders may want to avoid.
In general, biking is an easy and fun way to get around the city. Just make sure to follow the rules of the road and be aware of your surroundings.
Delaware Biking Regulations
You need to know the rules of the road before you set out — especially if you're from out of state. Here's a brief overview of Delaware cycling laws:
Where to ride: Unless you're passing other cyclists or preparing for a left turn, always ride with traffic on the right side of the road.
How to ride: Keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times, and place any large objects in the basket or tie it to the bike rack. Additionally, use hand signals any time you need to make a turn.
Intersection etiquette: Before entering an intersection on a road with three or more lanes, you must come to a full stop. On a road with two lanes or fewer, simply slow down and stop if necessary.
Where to park: Unless you see a sign or traffic control device that says otherwise, park your bike on the sidewalk. Use a bike rack if one is available.
Riding at night: If you plan to ride after dark, make sure to attach a lamp to your bike. The light from this lamp should be visible at a minimum distance of 500 feet.
Helmets: Everyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet according to Delaware law.
Check the Delaware Code's official text for more specific information on cycling regulations.
Local Bike Shops
Whether you need to rent a bike for a few days or pick up some new gear, the Rehoboth area has what you need.
Some of our favorite bike shops near Rehoboth are:
Lewes Cycle Sports: Stop by Lewes Cycle Sports to rent or buy bikes and accessories, or bring your own bike in for repairs.
Rehoboth Cycle Sports: Conveniently located just two blocks from the boardwalk, Rehoboth Cycle Sports offers bike sales, rentals and full service.
SeaGreen Bicycle: SeaGreen has two locations — one in Lewes and one in Rehoboth. Both offer bike sales, service and rentals to locals and visitors.
Bob's Bike Rentals: Bob's is located near Gordon Pond and offers various bike options for hourly, daily or weekly rentals. The shop is open seasonally, but online reservations open in late spring.
Atlantic Cycles: Rent bikes, helmets, child seats and other accessories at one of Atlantic Cycles' two Rehoboth Beach locations.
Most of these shops are located close to Delaware's most popular bike trails, so you can stop by on your way.
Restaurants Near the Trails
After a long day of riding, you’ll be craving good food and a refreshing drink. Luckily, coastal Delaware is full of amazing eateries. If you're cycling in the Rehoboth Beach area, visit Crust and Craft for the best wood fired pizza. A warm slice of pizza, fresh out of the oven, is the perfect end to a day's ride.
Located just off Coastal Highway, Crust and Craft features the quintessential Coastal Delaware atmosphere with delicious wood fired pizza, pasta, sandwiches and more. Check out our menu to explore our mouthwatering flavors and stop by for a meal, or you can order online.
