Best running trails in Pennsylvania
Ranked by the runners who actually run there — Google rating weighted by review volume, across 470,979 reviews of Pennsylvania trails. A trail needs at least 25 reviews to qualify (557 in Pennsylvania do) and each name appears once. Nobody pays for a place. Updated 2026.
The 20 below run across 13 cities, 5 of them paved, 2 loops, 2 shaded, and 3 with a stated distance. This is a popularity ranking, not a difficulty score — for what a trail is actually like underfoot, open its page for surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms and parking.
Point State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 9,624 reviews
36-acre park at the intersection of 3 rivers with boating, hiking, biking & a Fort Pitt museum.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 8,749 reviews
Trolley & ranger-led walking tours are offered at this Revolutionary War site with miles of trails.
Schenley Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 8,698 reviews
Park with 456 acres of trails, a sportsplex, botanical gardens, cafe, visitors center & golf course.
Wissahickon Valley Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 6,926 reviews
Vast park with over 50 miles of trails for hikers, bikers & equestrians, plus a trout-stocked creek.
East Fairmount Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 5,359 reviews
Large riverside park with picnic tables, baseball fields and sculptures, plus views of Boat House Row.
North Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 5,115 reviews
Public park with ample recreation opportunities including a nature center, ice rink & swimming pool.
FDR Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 5,154 reviews
Large urban park offering a golf course, sports fields, fishing lakes & the American Swedish Museum.
Hickory Run State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,711 reviews
This 15,990-acre park has 40+ miles of hiking trails, trout streams & a landmark Boulder Field.
Nockamixon State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,708 reviews
This 5,286-acre park has Lake Nockamixon for swimming & boating, plus horseback riding & camping.
Highland Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 4,648 reviews
Scenic park built around 2 reservoirs, with lawns & a Victorian garden, plus sports fields & a pool.
Pennypack Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 4,487 reviews
Creekside park with multi-use trails & an outdoor bandstand, plus historic houses & a farm.
Marsh Creek State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,295 reviews
The 1,727-acre park contains Marsh Creek Lake offers fishing & boating, ice skating & ice-boating.
Frick Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 4,132 reviews
Lush city park featuring grassy picnic areas, off-leash dog play spots & hiking trails.
Peace Valley Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,818 reviews
Calm outdoor spot with a lake & boating rentals, along with an abundance of walking & hiking trails.
Nay Aug Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 3,837 reviews
Family-friendly park features a treehouse, waterfalls & footbridge as well as a waterslide complex.
McConnells Mill State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,394 reviews
Public park featuring giant boulders, a whitewater creek, fishing & 9 miles of hiking trails.
Ridley Creek State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 3,445 reviews
Green oasis of woodlands & meadows offering hiking, fishing & picnicking from sunrise to sunset.
Trexler Nature Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 3,369 reviews
Kid-friendly refuge with multiple trails, an observation building and scenic views.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
4.7 ★★★★★ 3,195 reviews
Dedicated to preserving the Tinicum Marsh, this refuge offers hiking trails & a visitor center.
Where these trails are
The cities in this ranking, if you'd rather start from where you live.
- Running trails in Pittsburgh, PA
- Running trails in King of Prussia, PA
- Running trails in Philadelphia, PA
- Running trails in Allison Park, PA
- Running trails in White Haven, PA
- Running trails in Quakertown, PA
- Running trails in Lehighton, PA
- Running trails in Downingtown, PA
- Running trails in Doylestown, PA
- Running trails in Scranton, PA
- Running trails in Portersville, PA
- Running trails in Media, PA
- Running trails in Schnecksville, PA
All 1,388 trails in Pennsylvania → Best trails in other states →