View source for Junction and Breakwater Trail

{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox hiking trail
 | photo = Sun shining through on the Junction ^ Breakwater Trail - panoramio.jpg
 | photo_size =
 | caption = Sun shining through on the Junction & Breakwater Trail
 | location = [[Cape Henlopen]], [[Delaware]], US
 | designation = 
 | established = 2003
 | length = {{convert|6|mi|abbr=on}}
 | trailheads =  [[Lewes, Delaware|Lewes]] and [[Rehoboth Beach, Delaware]]
 | use = Hiking, cycling
 | elev_gain_and_loss = 
 | elev_change =      <!-- Use elev_gain_and_loss if the gain and/or loss is known. 
                                       Use this field when only the change is known. -->
 | highest = 
 | lowest = 
 | grade = 
 | difficulty = Easy 
 | season = 
 | months = 
 | sights = 
 | hazards = 
 | surface = Crushed stone 
 | ROW = [[Penn Central Transportation Company]]
 | website = {{URL|https://destateparks.com/Trails}}
 | waymark =
}}

The  '''Junction and Breakwater Trail''' is a {{convert|6|mi|adj=on}} long [[rail trail]] located on the southwestern side of [[Cape Henlopen State Park]] connecting [[Lewes, Delaware|Lewes]] and [[Rehoboth Beach, Delaware]], [[United States]]. It is the third rail trail built in Delaware and it is the longest in the state.<ref>{{cite news|last=Race |first=Amanda |title=Destination: Junction and Breakwater Trail |work=Rails to Trails Magazine |pages=23–25 |publisher=Rails-to-Trails Conservancy |date=Spring 2007 |url=http://www.railtrails.org/resources/documents/magazine/07Spr_DES_JunctionBreakwaterTrail.pdf |accessdate=2007-02-26 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714100901/http://www.railtrails.org/resources/documents/magazine/07Spr_DES_JunctionBreakwaterTrail.pdf |archivedate=2007-07-14 }}</ref> It partially follows the former [[Junction and Breakwater Railroad|Junction and Breakwater Railroad's]] Rehoboth Beach branch that opened in the mid-19th century. It later came under control of the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] and transported passengers to several [[Methodist]] resort camps along the Atlantic coast. The line was abandoned by the [[Penn Central Transportation Company|Penn Central]] in the early 1970s.

The first {{convert|3.6|mi}} of the trail was opened in December 2003 after acquiring parcels and easements from private landowners. On June 4, 2007, an additional {{convert|2.4|mi}} were added, extending the trail to Kings Highway in Lewes.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Junction and Breakwater Trail Extension Opens at Cape Henlopen State Park |publisher=Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control |date=2007-06-04 |url=http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/dnrec2000/admin/press/story1.asp?PRID=2529 |accessdate=2007-07-17 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929210210/http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/dnrec2000/admin/press/story1.asp?PRID=2529 |archivedate=2007-09-29 }}</ref> Plans are being discussed to extend the trail further into town.<ref>{{cite news|last=Swick |first=Rachel |title=Hawkseye provides missing link for Lewes-Rehoboth bike trail |work=Cape Gazette |date=2007-04-16 |url=http://www.capegazette.com/storiescurrent/200704/biketrail041307.html |accessdate=2007-04-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070506161931/http://www.capegazette.com/storiescurrent/200704/biketrail041307.html |archivedate=2007-05-06 }}</ref>

The trail includes two bridges, including an {{convert|80|ft|adj=on}} long [[railroad]] bridge originally built in 1913 that crosses Holland Glade and provides views of coastal wetlands and of a [[World War II]] observation tower located on the coast. The trail consists of crushed stone with an average width of {{convert|12|ft}}.

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://delawaregreenways.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/JB-and-Gordons-Pond-Trail-2.pdf Map]

{{coord|38|44|02|N|75|06|42|W|display=t|type:landmark}}

{{Protected Areas of Delaware}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Junction And Breakwater Trail}}
[[Category:Rail trails in Delaware]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Sussex County, Delaware]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 2003]]
[[Category:National Recreation Trails in Delaware]]


{{Delaware-geo-stub}}
{{US-trail-stub}}