December 27th, 2012
The Junction and Breakwater Trail, Jogging, Hiking, Biking, Strolling, “Standing in the Path of a Train!”, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Delaware Beaches
The coastal towns at the Delaware Beaches are the perfect ones for jogging, hiking, biking, and strolling. These towns are flat and at sea level. So, on Christmas Day my sister in law, Susie, and I decided that it was time to walk off some of the Christmas cookies, the rib roast, all the trimmings and the buckwheat cakes….we were not the only ones doing this. Exercising was in everyone’s mind and they were not waiting for the New Year’s resolutions. We were all getting a head start.
If you are visiting Rehoboth Beach and Lewes, a distraction from the beach, shopping and dining would be to discover this beautiful trail. You do not even feel you are at the beach.
The Junction and Breakwater Trail is on the path of an early railroad. The Junction and Breakwater Railroad Company began in 1857 and it joined Northern and Southern Delaware. The junction in Harrington, Delaware, then connected to the rail line from Wilmington and the breakwater on the bay in Lewes in 1870. But it only reached Rehoboth Beach in 1878.
This railroad first carried passengers and freight. Later, in the 20th century, people started traveling by car and the rail line only carried freight. It shut down when trucks took over the job of transporting freight.
In 2003, the Division of Parks & Recreation used the old railbed to create the hiking and biking trail for the public. There were some complaints, but I think everyone is happy that this 6 mile trail is used and enjoyed by many.
There are different ways on accessing the trail. Parking for the trail is located at Wolfe Neck Area off Cape Henlopen State Park. Riders from Rehoboth Beach can head out of town over the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal draw bridge and take a right on Church St. Turn left past the church and follow the road that passes the entrance to Canal Cokran. Or, you can do, like Susie and I did and park behind the Rehoboth Beach Oulets (Seaside), north of Holland Glad Rd. To me, that is the easiest from Rehoboth Beach, if you are walking.
Please note that pets need to be on a maximum 6 foot leash at all times. And, no horseback riding is permitted on the trail.
The trail is 10 feet wide. It has a crushed stone surface, therefore, it is wheelchair accessible.
If you remember, Christmas Day was about 50+ degrees and it really was nice to walk the trail. The first think I spotted was the Rehoboth Dairy Farm which you could see at a distance.
It has the best milk, butter, eggs, scrapple and meats. It opens Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Woods, salt marshes, mud flats and peat are in abundance. The salt marshes are valuable to humans, animals, and the environment.
The marsh grasses absorb the storms’ impact.
Peat, which is a mixture of dead grass and rut, acts like a sponge, storing flood waters and absorbing the energy of the waves.
Mud flats give birds a place to rest and eat. These cardinals were gorgeous.
The maritime forest is the most stable environment along the coast. Plants adapt to the environment and provide food and shelter for wildlife.
While walking, you will find that there are benches in case you need to rest.
The 80 foot railroad bridge was originally built in 1913. It crosses Holland Glade and provides views of the WWII towers, which protected the Delaware coast during those times.
We walked 3 miles up and 3 miles back.
A good way to spend Christmas Day!! You could barely see the moon. Almost a Full Moon!
Note: Information for this post was taken from the Delaware State Park & Recreation.
Tags: Activities, biking, Delaware, Delaware Beaches, Delaware State Park & Recreation, hiking, hiking at the Delaware Beaches, jogging, Lewes, rehoboth beach, Southern Delaware, Sussex County, The Junction and Breakwater Trail, Things to do at the beach, Trail at the Delaware Beaches, Visiting Coastal Delaware, Visiting Lewes, Visiting Rehoboth Beach, walking, What to do at the beaches
Looking for a little information. We live in Hawkseye and would like to know who owns the undeveloped railbed that would have continued at the end of Junction and Breakwater gravel path. I know it continues down Golden Eagle through Hawkseye but again it’s the undeveloped railbed.
I am sorry but I really don’t know. Thanks for checking AboutMyBeaches.