Odds are, if you’ve ever visited Wilmington, Delaware, you’ve hit up Brandywine Creek or Alapocas Run State Park once or twice. This lush trail in Delaware is a unique, woodsy escape from the city and a gorgeous beach alternative when the temperatures drop. Whether you’ve biked, walked, or picnicked in this scenic state park, it’s likely you were enjoying the colorful trees, delicious smells of the wild spicebush, and drinking in the creek views. But there’s more to love here! Alapocas Run State Park is a wild oasis that is hiding some rather special (and massive) rock formations right in plain sight. Check it out:
Delaware’s uniquely historic landscape is known for being home to some incredible treasures from centuries past: old powder mills, settlement remnants, gorgeous stone bridges, and more.
TravelingOtter/Flickr Not to mention some pretty fantastic beaches too!
But of all the attractions and scenic sights that our small-but-mighty state has to offer, towering geologic formations aren’t something that typically come to mind. In fact, such sights are incredibly rare here.
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Believe it or not, Alapocas Run State Park is home to some of the oldest history Delaware has to offer, and it’s unlike anywhere else in the state.
Tom Levien/AllTrails
Namely, the 80-foot rock cliffs lining the Alapocas Woods Trail.
Tom Xu/AllTrails
At first glance, these stone faces seem to blend into the landscape. But take a closer look!
Bradley Magid/AllTrails
Each façade is delightfully different from the next.
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These sheer formations showcase layers upon layers of Delaware history, buried quietly in the colorful grains of Brandywine Blue Gneiss. In fact, many of Delaware’s original settlements (including Wilmington itself) were quarried from these rocks!
John Lu/AllTrails
The nooks and crannies are home to small colonies of mossy flora, as well as mini seasonal waterfalls - which just add to the existing beauty.
Tom Levian/AllTrails
While Blue Gneiss isn’t unique to just this one part of Wilmington, the rock formations here are the largest and most visible in the state.
Mike Jordan/AllTrails
The Alapocas Woods Trail is only 1.8 miles round trip, with paved walkways the entire route. It’s perfect for the whole family!
John Lu/AllTrails For more of a challenge, there are also side exploration trails - although they are rocky in some areas and not as stroller-friendly. Take your pick!
Whether you stay on the main loop or venture off into the woods to check out even more of Delaware’s hidden rock formations…
Alapocas Run State Park/Google
…these woods are definitely one of our favorite urban getaways in Delaware!
Alapocas Run State Park/Google
Leashed pups welcome!
John Shields/AllTrails
Learn more about the lush Alapocas Woods Trail in Delaware with a visit to AllTrails.com.
TravelingOtter/Flickr
Not to mention some pretty fantastic beaches too!
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Tom Levien/AllTrails
Tom Xu/AllTrails
Bradley Magid/AllTrails
Barb Brem/AllTrails
John Lu/AllTrails
Tom Levian/AllTrails
Mike Jordan/AllTrails
For more of a challenge, there are also side exploration trails - although they are rocky in some areas and not as stroller-friendly. Take your pick!
Alapocas Run State Park/Google
John Shields/AllTrails
What’s your favorite spot to dive into our state’s history? Let us know! You can also check out some of our other favorite short and sweet hiking trails here.
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Address: Alapocas Run, Delaware 19803, USA
