Easy Paved Paths

How you can begin to explore Kennett, find your zone, and build a basic routine

Getting started

Easy hard surface paths are great places to begin if you are using a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, (re)building your strength, or just establishing a regular regimen of walks

An easy, hard-surface path is a great start if you are looking for a comfortable stroll, and already able to easily complete a mile and a half in under 45-60 minutes. To build towards a regular regimen of walks, read more below about Establishing a basic routine.

Others might choose an easy paved path based on their abilities. Do you use a wheelchair or walker? Are you just recovering from a hip replacement or a stroke? Are you helping someone who has never really walked a lot, like a child with a physical or developmental disability? In addition to establishing a routine, you may want to read more about Finding your zone. Your can read the story of  Hiking with Margot  to see how she started this way!

What is an easy paved path?

An easy paved path is largely equivalent to an accessible path. It is ideally suited for those using wheelchairs, strollers, or walkers.

All paved paths have an even surface (i.e., with no bumps higher than 2") that is stable (i.e., either paved, or compacted and maintained stone dust).

Parrish Trail

All paved paths are wide (i.e., at least 3' at the path surface, and often wider). Most are multiuse paths, which are a least 10' wide.

We consider paved paths to be easy because they are generally flat (i.e., average uphill slopes less than 5%, with few - if any - sections with greater slopes).


Finding your zone

If you can already walk comfortably for a mile in an hour on a path you find interesting, you might not need to find your zone and then set goals. But if you want to walk further, or to become more comfortable walking the full range of paths and trails, continue reading below!

If you walk to increase your overall strength and health, you should start by finding the type of path and the distance that you can always comfortably complete in one hour. This is the zone you can extend on, step by step, to achieve your goal to walk for longer distances, and eventually on harder natural trails. We suggest you start of the easy paved paths described here.

 Chester Valley Trail  (Battle of the Clouds Park east to Wegmans)

Your comfort is the key to building a routine and extending your zone. If you are too hot or tired or sore after an hour, you are less likely to walk again within the next couple of days. Learn your own signs, and pay attention when you are becoming uncomfortable. And if you are walking with someone who might not be able to tell you when they are uncomfortable, learn to read their signs.

You will push yourself, but just a bit. For example, you should feel uncomfortable, but only towards the end of your walk. You should bounce back quickly (i.e., you should not still feel grumpy or tired or sore 15 minutes after finishing your walk). And the most important sign: within 3-4 days, you will want to walk again.

 Chester Valley Trail  (Battle of the Clouds Park west)

To be confident that this is really your zone, aim to complete this at least 3 times on at least 2 different paths in less then 2 weeks

Marsh Creek State Park

Whenever you are beginning to walk farther, aim to extend your zone by 1/2 mile at a time.

Extending your zone on a familiar type of trail will help build the endurance needed for the next stage involving a more difficult kind of path or trail. To prepare for a one mile walk on harder paved paths, for example, you should extend your zone until you can comfortably completing at least a 1 1/2 mile walk on easy paved paths in less than one hour.


Favorite easy paved paths

Brandywine Park To Blue Ball Barn (Northern Delaware Greenway)

Brandywine Park To Blue Ball Barn (Northern Delaware Greenway). Click to expand.

An easy, wide paved section running beside the Brandywine Creek in Downtown Wilmington, with lots of benches and beautiful water views. It is the southernmost section of the Northern Delaware Greenway. Read more here.

Trolley Trail (Auburn Valley State Park)

Trolley Trail (Auburn Valley State Park). Click to expand.

An easy, stone dust, out and back trail .6 miles long. Trail is quiet and partially shaded, running beside the Red Clay Creek It connects to the Auburn Valley Trail to the north and the Yorklyn Bridge Trail to south. Read more here.

Struble Trail

Struble Trail. Click to expand.

An easy, flat, and beautifully shaded trail 3.1 miles one way, running beside the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek. Lots of benches and views along the way. It connects to the Uwchlan Trail to the north. Read more here.

Battery Park

Battery Park. Click to expand.

A wide, flat, open paved walking and biking trail, running 1.9 miles along the Delaware River in historic New Castle, with many benches and beach views along the way. It connects to the Jack Markell Trail to the north. Read more here.

East Brandywine Trail

East Brandywine Trail. Click to expand.

An easy, flat, shaded, and paved trail 2.4 miles one way, running beside the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek. Read more here.

Brandywine Park To Blue Ball Barn (Northern Delaware Greenway)

An easy, wide paved section running beside the Brandywine Creek in Downtown Wilmington, with lots of benches and beautiful water views. It is the southernmost section of the Northern Delaware Greenway. Read more  here .

Trolley Trail (Auburn Valley State Park)

An easy, stone dust, out and back trail .6 miles long. Trail is quiet and partially shaded, running beside the Red Clay Creek It connects to the Auburn Valley Trail to the north and the Yorklyn Bridge Trail to south. Read more here.

Struble Trail

An easy, flat, and beautifully shaded trail 3.1 miles one way, running beside the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek. Lots of benches and views along the way. It connects to the  Uwchlan Trail  to the north. Read more  here .

Battery Park

A wide, flat, open paved walking and biking trail, running 1.9 miles along the Delaware River in historic New Castle, with many benches and beach views along the way. It connects to the  Jack Markell Trail  to the north. Read more  here .

East Brandywine Trail

An easy, flat, shaded, and paved trail 2.4 miles one way, running beside the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek. Read more  here .


Establishing a basic routine

You have to have a plan to walk at least 2-3 times a week to realize the benefits. Margot achieves this by walking for at least 60 minutes at least twice a week at school, and on Saturdays and/or Sundays with us. What is a good time during the week for you... on the weekends? After work? Once the kids are off to school?

A walk in Pennypacker Park with her school

You can build new habits more easily when they are stress-free. We list many options near Kennett to limit the time and stress of driving. That way, you can make an easy plan to fit a walk into your day.

That is also why we provide details for each path and trail, so that you know what to expect, can find paths that fit your interests and abilities, and maybe even fuel the urge to explore.

Red Trail, Peacedale Preserve

Over time, you will discover how walks make your other daily routines even better. Walks give Margot renewed energy and focus to carry her through the rest of the day. How do walks help you? Get you out of the house? Clear your mind? Spend time with a friend (perhaps a furry one)?

Meadow Trail, Chandler Mill Nature Preserve


Other easy paved paths

Yorklyn Bridge (Auburn Valley State Park)

Yorklyn Bridge (Auburn Valley State Park). Click to expand.

An easy, wide paved multiuse path, 1 mile out and back. It runs beside the Red Clay Creek and through to the old Snuff Mill site, with benches and picnic tables along the way. It connects to Auburn Valley and Trolley Trails to the north, and bikers can connect on east roads to Oversee Farm Trail. Read more here.

Chester Valley Trail

Chester Valley Trail. Click to expand.

A long, wide, paved, and busy multiuse path that is almost 14 miles from east to west. It includes many easy sections, some of which are partially shaded. Read more here.

Parrish Trail (Kennett Bike Loop)

Parrish Trail (Kennett Bike Loop). Click to expand.

An easy stone dust walking and biking path, 1.4 miles out and back, running alongside Bucktoe Creek. Circle Pennock Park at the northern end to add another .3 miles. Part of the Kennett Bike Loop (between Chandler Mill Bridge and Downtown Kennett), with connectors running on quiet roads both north and south. Read more here.

Anson B Nixon Park

Anson B Nixon Park. Click to expand.

A range of easy, short, and often shaded paths in an active park with lots of amenities, just steps from downtown Kennett Square. Read more here.

Whitely Farm Trail with connector (White Clay Creek State Park)

Whitely Farm Trail with connector (White Clay Creek State Park). Click to expand.

An easy, 3 foot wide, stone dust walking and biking path through woods and fields, Lots of connections to a full range of biking and hiking trails nearby in the park. Read more here.

Yorklyn Bridge (Auburn Valley State Park)

An easy, wide paved multiuse path, 1 mile out and back. It runs beside the Red Clay Creek and through to the old Snuff Mill site, with benches and picnic tables along the way. It connects to Auburn Valley and Trolley Trails to the north, and bikers can connect on east roads to Oversee Farm Trail. Read more  here .

Chester Valley Trail

A long, wide, paved, and busy multiuse path that is almost 14 miles from east to west. It includes many easy sections, some of which are partially shaded. Read more  here .

Parrish Trail (Kennett Bike Loop)

An easy stone dust walking and biking path, 1.4 miles out and back, running alongside Bucktoe Creek. Circle Pennock Park at the northern end to add another .3 miles. Part of the  Kennett Bike Loop  (between Chandler Mill Bridge and Downtown Kennett), with connectors running on quiet roads both north and south. Read more  here .

Anson B Nixon Park

A range of easy, short, and often shaded paths in an active park with lots of amenities, just steps from downtown Kennett Square. Read more  here .

Whitely Farm Trail with connector (White Clay Creek State Park)

An easy, 3 foot wide, stone dust walking and biking path through woods and fields, Lots of connections to a full range of biking and hiking trails nearby in the park. Read more  here .


Click  here  to read about how Margot learned to hike by following many of these same steps