HomePennsylvaniaMedia › Darlington Trailhead

Darlington Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · Running trail in Media, Pennsylvania · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Darlington Trailhead'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.

LoopOpen 24hScenicHillyTrailhead parkingMile markers

Hiking area with trails by a creek and through the woods, suitable for children.

What runners say about Darlington Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (81 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“You go from beautiful lake views in the beginning to amazing grass field areas in the middle and then back to the lake at the end.”

Awesome place for hiking. Part of the trail is sunny and bright but some parts have shades and cool. It’s a mix of river, wetlands, mountains and forest great for hiking. We had a great weekend😘 *There is no FEE, also not much parking space. MUST HAVE: * A cap🧢, it is super sunny🌞 . * Use hiking shoes 👟.

★★★★★ — Sherin , Sep 2020

A pretty unpaved lot just by Chester Creek bridge which is the Trailhead to several lovely, trails (Darlington and Cornucopia) with varying terrain along Chester Creek. Everything from wet woods up into sprawling, Wyeth-esque fields! Absolutely a (mostly) hidden gem.

★★★★☆ — John , Sep 2023

Nice little trail! Cool that you can cross the river via the railroad bridges. Great for an afternoon walk

★★★★★ — Angela , Feb 2021

Big fan! Freshly mowed, wide paths, nicely groomed, only one muddy spot (in that even had a workaround path to it). Hard 10. A+. If it's your first time, just make sure you pay attention to the path. There's a lot of trails back here and it can get easy to take a wrong turn ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

★★★★★ — Dave , May 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 81 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 9 mentions

“You go from beautiful lake views in the beginning to amazing grass field areas in the middle and then back to the lake at the end.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“A pretty unpaved lot just by Chester Creek bridge which is the Trailhead to several lovely, trails (Darlington and Cornucopia) with varying terrain along Chester Creek.”

More trails like this →

⛰️ Hills / elevation 4 mentions

“It's under 3 miles, has some incline, and starts and ends at the parking lot.”

More trails like this →

🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“Or maybe it's me, but it was my fourth visit before I found the entire loop.”

More trails like this →

📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“There are no public restrooms and in a number of critical places, the trail is not well-marked.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Darlington Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both 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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Darlington Trailhead

Darlington Trl, Media, PA 19063

Get directions

Running trails near Media

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Rocky Run Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 26 reviews

Media, PA

Natural surfaceScenic

under a mile away

Indian Orchards Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 27 reviews

Media, PA

Scenic

3.3 miles away

Chester Creek Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 244 reviews

Media, PA

1.5 miPavedScenicDog-friendly

Flat paved trail taking in views of the surrounding nature as well as the occasional road crossing.

3.4 miles away

Middletown Township Memorial Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 28 reviews

Media, PA

3.6 miles away

Louis W Scott Memorial Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 59 reviews

Media, PA

ScenicDog-friendly

Picturesque park that features well-maintained trails for walking and hiking, as well as a swimming area for dogs.

3.7 miles away

Ridley Creek State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,445 reviews

Media, PA

LoopPavedScenicDog-friendly

Green oasis of woodlands & meadows offering hiking, fishing & picnicking from sunrise to sunset.

3.7 miles away

All running trails in Media, PA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.