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Assawoman Canal Trailhead / Kayak Launch
4.6 ★★★★★ 157 Google reviews · Running trail in Ocean View, Delaware · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Assawoman Canal Trailhead / Kayak Launch's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Relaxed, tree-topped trail running alongside the canal for walks, hikes & water activities.
What runners say about Assawoman Canal Trailhead / Kayak Launch
“The trailhead at the southern end of the Assawoman Canal is a clean & comfortable place to start your walk (hike would be too strong a word).”
“Would be perfect for a shaded run when the weather gets warm.”
“The only difficulty for the trailhead is access is right off a very busy street, and there isn't a huge amount of shade.”
Although not a long trail, it's very pleasant out and back. The parking for the trailhead turn could be marked better on 26, it isn't until after you turn off the main road that you see the park sign.
Delightful, well maintained trail. Great spot for fitness walks and seeing local seabirds
Requires payment for parking. Standard State park fees. The hike is about a mile that can also be biked. Fine for a walk but as others have said you are really walking behind people's houses and along side of canal. Much better options for biking and hiking. We also SUP down the canal.
Great place for a not so long a walk. Good variety of birds; there is something different each time we go. Today we saw a couple of Great Blue Herons.
Trail conditions & character
“The trailhead at the southern end of the Assawoman Canal is a clean & comfortable place to start your walk (hike would be too strong a word).”
“The only difficulty for the trailhead is access is right off a very busy street, and there isn't a huge amount of shade.”
“But the parking is wide, there's a nice bathroom and canoe/kayak launch, and you start almost at the beginning of the trail (which is just 0.”
“We will definitely be back as it was an easy and stroller-accessible way to spend the morning.”
“This is a nice, well maintained gravel tail that follows a section of the canal.”
“The walk is a mile out and and a mile back, very pleasant and very flat.”
Plan your run at Assawoman Canal Trailhead / Kayak Launch
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteoceanviewde.com
- Phone+1 302-227-2800
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