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Running trails in Pennsylvania

1,388 trails across 413 cities in Pennsylvania, with the most in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and West Chester — including 245 paved, 180 loops, 163 shaded, and 73 long enough for a 5-mile run. Every listing shows the things runners actually decide on: surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms, water and trailhead parking. Pick a city for the full local list, or filter the Pennsylvania trails below.

1,388trails
413cities
180loops 245paved 163shaded
161with a stated distance
383open 24 hours

Cities in Pennsylvania

Every city and town in Pennsylvania with a running trail in the directory, most trails first.

Notable running trails in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania trails runners review most, ranked by rating weighted by review volume. Filter by surface, loop, distance, shade or lighting to narrow to the run you're actually planning. See the full best-of-Pennsylvania ranking →

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Presque Isle State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 14,401 reviews

Erie, PA

LitScenic

Park offers 11 miles of beaches, concert spaces, a lighthouse, lagoons & an environmental center.

Bushkill Falls

4.6 ★★★★★ 10,260 reviews

Bushkill, PA

LoopBoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Park with a 100-ft. waterfall plus trails, fishing, boating & other family-friendly activities.

Point State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 9,624 reviews

Pittsburgh, PA

Scenic

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

King of Prussia, PA

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Trolley & ranger-led walking tours are offered at this Revolutionary War site with miles of trails.

Schenley Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 8,698 reviews

Pittsburgh, PA

ShadedScenic

Park with 456 acres of trails, a sportsplex, botanical gardens, cafe, visitors center & golf course.

Wissahickon Valley Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 6,926 reviews

Philadelphia, PA

MixedScenic

Vast park with over 50 miles of trails for hikers, bikers & equestrians, plus a trout-stocked creek.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 6,795 reviews

Bushkill, PA

BoardwalkScenic

Vast forested preserve featuring hiking trails, campsites & water sports on the Delaware River.

Ricketts Glen State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 5,876 reviews

Benton, PA

LoopScenic

A 13,050-acre park known for 20+ waterfalls, including Ganoga Falls, plus hiking, fishing & camping.

East Fairmount Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 5,359 reviews

Philadelphia, PA

Natural surfaceScenic

Large riverside park with picnic tables, baseball fields and sculptures, plus views of Boat House Row.

North Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 5,115 reviews

Allison Park, PA

ScenicDog-friendly

Public park with ample recreation opportunities including a nature center, ice rink & swimming pool.

FDR Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 5,154 reviews

Philadelphia, PA

Scenic

Large urban park offering a golf course, sports fields, fishing lakes & the American Swedish Museum.

Hickory Run State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,711 reviews

White Haven, PA

LitScenic

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

Quakertown, PA

2 miPavedScenic

This 5,286-acre park has Lake Nockamixon for swimming & boating, plus horseback riding & camping.

Highland Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 4,648 reviews

Pittsburgh, PA

4 miScenicDog-friendly

Scenic park built around 2 reservoirs, with lawns & a Victorian garden, plus sports fields & a pool.

Beltzville State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 4,449 reviews

Lehighton, PA

ScenicDog-friendly

Pennypack Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 4,487 reviews

Philadelphia, PA

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Creekside park with multi-use trails & an outdoor bandstand, plus historic houses & a farm.

Marsh Creek State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,295 reviews

Downingtown, PA

Scenic

The 1,727-acre park contains Marsh Creek Lake offers fishing & boating, ice skating & ice-boating.

Frick Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 4,132 reviews

Pittsburgh, PA

Crushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Lush city park featuring grassy picnic areas, off-leash dog play spots & hiking trails.

Peace Valley Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,818 reviews

Doylestown, PA

PavedShadedScenic

Calm outdoor spot with a lake & boating rentals, along with an abundance of walking & hiking trails.

Nay Aug Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 3,837 reviews

Scranton, PA

Scenic

Family-friendly park features a treehouse, waterfalls & footbridge as well as a waterslide complex.

Gifford Pinchot State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 3,633 reviews

Lewisberry, PA

Natural surfaceScenic

Emerald View Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,544 reviews

Pittsburgh, PA

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Hilltop 257-acre park on a former coal mining area with trails, woodland & play & picnic areas.

McConnells Mill State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,394 reviews

Portersville, PA

Natural surfaceScenic

Public park featuring giant boulders, a whitewater creek, fishing & 9 miles of hiking trails.

Ridley Creek State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,445 reviews

Media, PA

LoopPavedScenicDog-friendly

Green oasis of woodlands & meadows offering hiking, fishing & picnicking from sunrise to sunset.

Trexler Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,369 reviews

Schnecksville, PA

Natural surfaceLitScenicDog-friendly

Kid-friendly refuge with multiple trails, an observation building and scenic views.

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,195 reviews

Philadelphia, PA

10 miLoopBoardwalkScenic

Dedicated to preserving the Tinicum Marsh, this refuge offers hiking trails & a visitor center.

French Creek State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,056 reviews

Elverson, PA

LoopMixedScenic

This 7,730-acre park offers forests, lakes, wetlands, hiking trails, campsites & picnic areas.

Core Creek Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,983 reviews

Langhorne, PA

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Community area providing sports fields & courts, a playground, boating, fishing, lawns & a dog park.

Promised Land State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,932 reviews

Greentown, PA

Scenic

A 3,000-acre park with 2 lakes, streams, & elevated wooded areas for hiking, biking & camping.

Bald Eagle State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,841 reviews

Howard, PA

LoopPavedScenicDog-friendly

Pennsylvania trails by surface

Surface is the biggest split in trail running — asphalt is fast and predictable, crushed limestone is softer but still smooth, dirt is easiest on the joints and the most fun, boardwalk is flat and scenic but slick when wet.

More ways to find a trail in Pennsylvania

Trail features in Pennsylvania