Outrageously Scenic Byways in Delaware: Circumnavigating the Brandywine Valley

Unless you’re a resident, you’ll probably never find the most scenic roads or trails in any community. And even if you try, you’ll probably get lost – especially in the Brandywine Valley. So let me take the risk out of process and guide you to one of the most outrageously scenic drives in the Mid-Atlantic region. It’s a 25-mile loop that takes you through some of the most beautiful landscapes, historic districts and naturalistic gardens in the country.

Technically, I guess, the Brandywine Valley starts at the headwaters of one of the two branches of Brandywine Creek in southeast Pennsylvania. But for Delawareans, the Brandywine Valley is pretty much a First State phenomenon. Before you begin, take a look at the map I’ve created on google maps to get a sense of the route. No need to copy the directions, because I’ve included them in this guide. Google suggests that the entire loop will take about an hour, but set a side at least a half day because you’re going to want to stop all along the route for pictures and probably lunch in one of the National Historic Districts.

The loop starts at the intersection of Routes 52 (Kennette Pike) and 100. To get there from I-95 take exit 7 north onto Pennsylvania Avenue (which becomes Kennett Pike) or from US Route 1 and points west take Kennett Pike South to Route 100. Set your trip odometer to 0 and:

Head north through Greenville, Delaware about 1.6 miles to Campbell Rd.

Left on Campbell Rd. (Route 82) to Centerville Rd. just before the beautiful Edgar Hoopes reservoir.

Left on Centerville Rd. about 1.7 miles to Barley Mill Rd. BE CAREFUL! Centerville Rd. twists and turns abruptly as it follows the eastern edge of the reservoir.

Turn right on Barley Mill Rd. for about 5 miles. You will soon encounter the picturesque Red Clay Creek on your left and the Hoopes Reservoir Dam on your right. Keep the camera handy because the Red Clay Creek is very photogenic.

A mile further on you’ll pass the entrance to Mt. Cuba Center, a former du Pont family estate that has been transformed into a 650-acre horticultural paradise with nationally acclaimed woodland and wildflower gardens, as well as the region’s only astronomical observatory. Mt. Cuba is only open to the public on selected dates and times, so you will need to plan ahead if you want visit the extraordinary gardens and grounds.

Near the end of Barley Mill, there is a beautiful historic stone farm house on the right hand side that definitely deserves a photograph. As you continue down the hill keep right past the Ashland Nature Center and toward the first of two covered bridges on the route. Plan to spend some time at the Nature Center, it’s one of the best on the east coast.

Left out of the Nature Center over the covered bridge to the intersection with Creek Rd.

Left on Creek Rd. following the Red Clay Creek to the Yorklyn National Historic District.

Continue on Creek Rd. past the bridge over the Red Clay Creek to “Auburn Heights,” the ancestral mansion of the Clarence Marshall family and home of the largest collection of operating Steam Cars in the world. However, the mansion and museum are open only on selected weekends and holidays, so you will need to plan ahead if you want a tour. The good news is you’re now smack in the middle of wild deer country, so keep a sharp eye out on the right side of the road as you continue your travels.

Follow Creek Rd. to the “T” intersection with Old Kennett/Route 82. Turn right (away from “Five Points” and “Kennett Square”).

Continue south on Old Kennett to Burnt Mill Rd.

Left on Burnt Mill to the “T” intersection at Kennett Pike

Right on Kennett Pike through the Centreville National Historic District. If you’ve worked up an appetite, Buckley’s Tavern is a great place for lunch or dinner in Centreville!

If not, continue on a few hundred feet to Center Meeting Rd.

Left on Center Meeting past picturesque du Pont farms and estates.

Stay left at the “Y” intersection in front of the historic Quaker Meeting House (left hand side of the road). The original Meeting House was constructed in 1711, and replaced with the current structure in 1796.

Continue on Center Meeting Road through the four-way stop at Route 100. The next few miles are some of the most scenic in the Delaware Valley. As the road undulates up and down (a huge favorite of motorcyclists!) perhaps the most majestic of all the du Pont estates, Granogue, dominates the landscape in the distance on the right hand side of the road. It’s the home of Irenee du Pont, former President of the Dupont company.

Less than a mile later, you reach Smith’s Bridge, a long covered bridge across Brandywine Creek, in Brandywine Creek State Park. BE VERY CAREFUL! Smith’s Bridge is a one-lane bridge and you can’t see into the bridge until you are with 15 feet of the entrance.

Right turn immediately after the bridge onto Route 241. The next two miles are all part of Brandywine Creek State Park. The creek gradually becomes a river when the flow increases as it cascades down into Wilmington.

Follow 241 as it turns east and climbs briefly out of the Valley up to Route 92.

Right on Route 92 down steep terrain and back across the Brandywine River.

Follow 92 to the four-way stop at Adams Dam Rd.

Left on Adams Dam toward the River, but don’t go over the bridge.

Right turn right before the river on Montchanin.

Follow Montchanin to the intersection with Route 100 in the Montchanin Station National Historic District, which includes the acclaimed Shops at Montchanin Station, the Inn at Montchanin and Krazy Kats restaurant.

Left onto Route 100 and in two miles you’ll be right back where you started – albeit much richer for the experience!