This One Easy Hike In Delaware Will Lead You Someplace Unforgettable
By Kim Magaraci|Published July 04, 2016
×
Kim Magaraci
Author
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
When it comes to easy hikes, Delaware has miles and miles to offer its residents. The state parks themselves preserve over 150 miles of beautiful trails through hills, along creeks and rivers, and on the gorgeous Delaware bay. All of the trails take you through beautiful areas of Delaware, but one hike in particular has the ability to take you back in time… to World War II, where the point of Delaware was one of the most important areas of the United States. This one hike is a very simple trip, and walking along the path will lead you to a few absolutely incredible places that you’re sure to never forget. So, read up about the Bike Loop and Pinelands Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park and travel back in time to World War II.
The Trail starts out paved and, well, rather boring looking.
And it's just named the "Bike Trail". If you didn't know what was ahead of you, you might even pass it up for a trail that sounds more exciting, like the America Discovery Trail. If you stick with the Bike Trail, though, you'll soon be rewarded. The Bike Trail takes you past the most interesting parts of the park, and it connects with several side trails for an even more complete Cape Henlopen experience.
Pinelands pathways take you away from the beach...
...and as you observe the pine trees, you might even forget that you're next to some of the biggest dunes you'll ever see. But don't worry, when you get close to Fort Miles, you'll certainly know. The trails start getting a little steeper as you climb the dunes that held up the fort. Be sure to check out the established pathways as you're hiking, because those were the same pathways that helped supply the Fort in the 1940s.
Advertisement
It's not every day you walk past a few pines trees and suddenly have a cannon in your face...
So, congratulations, you've made it to the Fort Miles Historic Area. Fort Miles was an incredibly important part of the Harbor and Bay defense systems in the United States, before long-range missiles made forts like these almost obsolete. During World War II, Fort Miles was busy with soldiers working around the clock to keep America safe. Now, it's a preserved historic area. Time to explore!
Advertisement
You'll be able to get up close and personal with some heavy artillery.
Getting so close to all of these major weapons of war at Fort Miles is an absolutely incredible experience, and one that civilians rarely get to be a part of. There are so many buildings, guns, bunkers and relics from when Fort Miles was in full use, and many of them are just out in the open, waiting to teach you about themselves.
It's hard to imagine this peaceful path leading to a remnant of a time that the entire world was at war.
But as you start to wander from Fort Miles bunkers and guns, you'll walk along more of the Bike Trail (or maybe the Pinelands Trail at this point, depending on how you split off) and be reminded that you are, in fact, still on the Delaware Bay, on top of gigantic dunes just a short distance from the ocean.
You'll soon stumble upon another marvel of Cape Henlopen...
The climb to the top is not difficult, and is an absolute must. Even if you're afraid of heights (like me!), the opportunity to climb one of these towers is something you have to take advantage of.
If you're afraid of heights, you might not want to look until you're at the top. If you're comfortable in the tower, look out the smaller observation holes and see the view get better and better as you ascend.
Advertisement
You'll catch the best view in Delaware from the top.
Look out at the lighthouse and over the trees, and try to imagine what it would have been like to be keeping watch from the tower during World War II. It's an incredible, humbling experience.
...and they were necessary for the safety of those stationed at Fort Miles. You can tour Battery 519 today at certain times - call the park office or check their website below for more information.
Can you imagine being stationed at Fort Miles, waiting on duty with the calm and serene sound of waves crashing on the beach being your only soundtrack? The sound of the surf makes it surreal.
Despite the harsh sea conditions, these buildings have stood strong.
Much like the soldiers who stood guard in the toughest of times, these buildings stand strong, tall and proud - a memorial to all of those who served and a monument to harbor defenses nationwide.
The Bike Loop Trail itself is a paved, 3 mile, easy to moderate trail with a slight grade in some sections. It’s the best trail to take if you want the full Cape Henlopen experience, because it passes by the Nature Center, campground, bathhouse, an outdoor fitness area, the World War II Observation Tower and Fort Miles Historic Area. Side trails will take you to the Kayak rental and beautiful views from some of the impossibly high dunes. From the Bike Loop Trail, you can access the short, two mile Pinelands Trail, which takes you through the coastal upland forest directly into the Fort Miles Historic Area. The Pinelands Trail was designated as Delaware’s first National Recreation Trail in 1981. You can find trail maps and park maps, as well as parking and more detailed trail information on the Delaware State Parks website.
If you’re looking for more information about Fort Miles, you can read all about the history of the area (and how it lead to the creation of Cape Henlopen State Park in the first place!) here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
