There are over a dozen different types of recurring hiking categories to choose from!
Brief descriptions are provided below. Click on any link to see future scheduled events:
Annual Brandywine End To End Hike (E2E): This special annual hike is open to the public and members for a fee. Hike the entire Brandywine Trail, from north to south!
Annual Hike Across Delaware (HAD): This special annual hike on the first Saturday of November is open to the public and members for a fee. Hike the entire width of the State of Delaware, from west to east!
New Member Hiking: These hikes are 3 to 5 miles at a casual to moderate pace. Start time is determined by the leader. They are on the second Saturday of each month, for welcoming new members and anyone considering joining the Wilmington Trail Club. Everyone is welcome, including current members, whether you prefer to hike, cycle, paddle, or ski. Driving distances are local. There is an option to join the group for refreshments after the hike.
Sunday Hiking:Â These hikes are 4 to 7 miles at a casual to moderate pace. Start time is determined by the leader. Typically, during colder months these events start at 1 pm and start in the morning when it is likely to be very hot. This is a varied group that tends to pick and choose what hikes they would like to go on.
Tuesday Hiking:Â These hikes are 5 to 7 miles at a brisk average pace of 3.0 to 3.1 MPH. Start time is 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM, unless otherwise indicated. A lunch stop is not included.
Tuesday Relaxed Hiking:Â These hikes are an easy 2-3 miles at a slower pace, and over flat terrain. Start time is 1:30 PM, unless otherwise indicated.
Wednesday Midweek Hiking: These hikes are 8 to 10 miles at a moderate to brisk average pace of 2.7 to 3.0 MPH. Start time is 8:30 or 9:00 AM unless otherwise indicated. A lunch stop is included.
Wednesday Miler Hiking: These hikes are 11 to 15 miles at a brisk pace of 3.0 to 3.5 MPH. Start time is determined by the leader. A lunch stop is included.
Wednesday Evening Hiking:Â These hikes are 3 to 5 miles at a casual to moderate pace. Start time is 6:30 PM, unless otherwise indicated. April through October hikes are every Wednesday. November through March hikes shift to 2 hikes per month. Bringing a flashlight is recommended. All are welcome to gather for dinner after the hike.
Thursday Hiking:Â These hikes are 4 to 5 miles at a casual pace. Start time is 10:00 AM, unless otherwise indicated. Driving distances vary significantly. All are welcome to gather for lunch after the hike.
Saturday Short Hiking:Â These hikes are 3 to 5 miles at a casual pace. Start time is between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, unless otherwise indicated. These hikes are only on the first and third Saturday.
Saturday Medium Hiking: These hikes are 8 to 10 miles at a moderate to brisk average pace of 2.7 to 3.0 MPH. Start time is 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM, unless otherwise indicated. A lunch stop is included. If not posted in advance, impromptu hikes will most likely occur if a leader steps forward.
Saturday Long Hiking: These hikes are 10 to 15+ miles at a brisk pace of 3.0 – 4.0 MPH. A lunch stop is included. When the hike involves significant driving distance there may be an alternative long local hike.
Multi-day Hiking: From May to November weekend hiking trips are scheduled with overnight accommodations at B&B’s and Lodges within a 2-3 hour drive. Places visited have been: Hickory Run State Park, World’s End State Park, Chincoteague VA, Promised Land State Park, and Susquehannock State Forest.
Multi-day Backpacking:Â Weekend trips from April through November to picturesque mountain areas in State Parks and Forests. Most trips are moderately strenuous and will vary in length from 5 to 10 miles per day. We do offer a beginners trip in the spring, which is less strenuous. Backpackers must be in good physical condition. Recent trips have been to Massanutten Mountain, VA, Shenandoah National Park, VA, the Appalachian Trail, NJ, PA & MD, and Susquehannock State Forest in PA
Holiday Hiking:Â These hikes are 3 to 5 miles at a casual to moderate pace. Start time and difficulty are determined by the leader. Arrangements can be made to eat after or bring lunch to the hike. These hikes are usually held on: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, and Christmas Day.
Impromptu Hiking: The day, length, pace, difficulty, and start time are determined by the leader …as long as it does not compete with a regularly scheduled hike. These hikes are usually not scheduled very far in advance and might not be scouted beforehand. If there is an event, it will be posted in the online calendar and events bulletin. Notification will usually also be sent to “Hiking Alerts” forum subscribers. There may or may not be a meal break. Please read the event’s description very carefully to determine if a particular hike is suitable for you.
So, you’re ready to start hiking with the Wilmington Trail Club! What a great idea. Now comes the hard part…deciding which hike to try first. We have lots of possibilities from short and casual pace to long and fast. Some of the hikes are on paved surfaces; some on difficult, rocky trails with steep hills and stream crossings that don’t include bridges. Please look over the WEEKLY categories on this page.
Once you’ve chosen a hike that seems to work for you, it would be a good idea to contact the leader to chat about what to expect. You should let them know what experience you have and why you chose their hike so they can help you determine if you will be comfortable completing it. If they seem to be trying to discourage you, it’s probably because they don’t feel it’s a good fit, but don’t want to tell you that you shouldn’t come. You will have a more enjoyable time if you try something a little below your ability for your first hike. Then you can work your way up as far as you desire. We want you to have a good, safe experience hiking with the Wilmington Trail Club. Enjoy your hike!