Best running trails in Virginia
Ranked by the runners who actually run there — Google rating weighted by review volume, across 172,244 reviews of Virginia trails. A trail needs at least 25 reviews to qualify (184 in Virginia do) and each name appears once. Nobody pays for a place. Updated 2026.
The 20 below run across 13 cities, 5 of them paved, 9 loops, 6 shaded, and 5 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.
Mount Trashmore Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 8,942 reviews
Former landfill now a city recreational area with a skate park, picnicking & sports facilities.
First Landing State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 7,336 reviews
Cape Henry beachfront park & historic site with marshes, maritime forest, hiking & canoe trails.
Manassas National Battlefield Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 5,241 reviews
Fields marking where the Confederates defeated the Union in the first major fight of the Civil War.
Burke Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,844 reviews
County recreational park featuring a fishing lake, picnic areas, a miniature train & playgrounds.
Bull Run Regional Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 3,806 reviews
Fields, wooded hiking areas & a pool near Civil War battle sites, with a holiday festival of lights.
Newport News Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 3,606 reviews
Sprawling park on 8,000+ acres with disc golf & bike rentals plus a boat ramp, horses & gardens.
Chesapeake City Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 3,376 reviews
Pine forest featuring open space for dog & skate parks plus an expansive playground & horseshoes.
Oak Grove Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,851 reviews
This 65-acre outdoor activity place has a 1.5-mi. path around a lake, plus benches & a playground.
Bryan Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 2,563 reviews
Historic Gabriel's Rebellion locale now hosting events, a farmer's market, bird walks & disc golf.
Portsmouth City Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,121 reviews
Urban waterfront park boasts a golf course & range, tennis courts, playgrounds & landscaped gardens.
Huntley Meadows Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,968 reviews
Park with forests & a historic house, home to wildlife & wetlands, plus an observation platform.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,813 reviews
Wetlands refuge that hosts thousands of migratory waterfowl, including snow geese & tundra swans.
Jim Barnett Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,836 reviews
Sizable area featuring a fitness trail, disc golf course & playground, plus indoor & outdoor pools.
Old Mill Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,763 reviews
Public park on the water featuring a swimming beach, soccer fields & picnic areas.
Gypsy Hill Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,602 reviews
214-acre park featuring a mini-train, a pool, sports facilities, a pond, a playground & more.
Riverview Farm Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,592 reviews
Walking trails & large playground, along with picnic areas, a skate park & a seasonal sledding hill.
Forest Hill Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,578 reviews
Partial wetland area with a historic home, nature trails, wildlife, tennis courts, picnics & events.
Northside Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,537 reviews
This 62-acre recreation area has a skate park, an indoor pool, picnic shelters & kids' play areas.
Jones Point Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,452 reviews
Site of an 1800s lighthouse, this park offers an interpretive trail, 2 playgrounds & sports fields.
Fountainhead Regional Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,421 reviews
Reservoir fishing & boating with rentals available plus mountain bike trails & nature programs.
Where these trails are
The cities in this ranking, if you'd rather start from where you live.
- Running trails in Virginia Beach, VA
- Running trails in Manassas, VA
- Running trails in Fairfax Station, VA
- Running trails in Centreville, VA
- Running trails in Newport News, VA
- Running trails in Chesapeake, VA
- Running trails in Richmond, VA
- Running trails in Portsmouth, VA
- Running trails in Alexandria, VA
- Running trails in Winchester, VA
- Running trails in Fredericksburg, VA
- Running trails in Staunton, VA
- Running trails in Norfolk, VA