The Half Moon Trail Project

Delaware Greenways is pleased to announce the formation of the "Friends of the Half Moon Trail " Committee. The Half Moon Trail is a 35 mile system of multi-use (hiking and biking) trails that will connect Lewes with Rehoboth and Georgetown. This trail network, which is almost entirely off public roads, also creates trail loop systems within Lewes, Rehoboth and Cape Henlopen. The name of the trail comes from explorer Henry Hudson's ship the Half Moon. Hudson discovered the entrance of the Delaware Bay in 1609.

The Half Moon Trail combines and connects existing, planned as well as proposed trails, including the Georgetown-Lewes Running Track rail line. Delaware Greenways, along with numerous other organizations and hiking and biking enthusiasts across the state have long viewed the 16.8 mile rail line running from the Delaware Bay to points west as an amazing opportunity to create premier rail trail for Sussex County. Over the last several years, Delaware Greenways has been encouraging DelDOT to make this project a priority for funding, and at the same time has been working to expand and enhance the Junction and Breakwater Trail as well as the trails within Cape Henlopen State park. Delaware Greenways is works to advance all these concepts together by incorporating them all within a single trail system concept - the Half Moon Trail.

When completed, the Half Moon Trail will become a major component in making Lewes a true walkable and bikeable community, while making the surrounding area a world class biking destination. It will also serve as a companion piece to the Cape May Shoreline Ride, which is a 46 mile on- road bike trip at the other entrance to the Delaware Bay. This bike ride starts at the Cape May Ferry terminal.

Delaware Greenways is seeking public input and assistance in developing a desired phasing plan for the entire Half Moon Trail project, and as part of that effort, to also identify how to phase the rail line component of this project. It is important to note that DelDOT has recommended that the Georgetown to Lewes line be developed as a rail with trail corridor, which will be the first of its kind in Delaware.

On May 10th, Delaware Greenways and DelDOT officials made a presentation before with the Mayor and City Council of Lewes on the Half Moon Trail. This presentation kicks off a series of public outreach efforts which are designed to help frame the community's vision of how the rail with trail project will be phased, where access points and trailheads could be developed and how the trail will be maintained. Delaware Greenways will be announcing the times and locations on future meetings over the next few weeks.