1
Hillandale Park
801 Hillandale Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Hillandale Park is a city park and a starting point for the Friendly City Trail and Rocktown Trails. It is the largest park in the city, covering 74 acres.
Best for: walking and cycling
Hiking and Walking Trails in Harrisonburg
Updated October 2026 · 9 places · Harrisonburg
Quick answer
Our top picks are Hillandale Park, Rocktown Trails and Friendly City Trail.
These Harrisonburg trails, greenways, parks, and nature areas offer options for walking, running, and cycling. Each listing is physically located in Harrisonburg, and addresses and descriptions are based on city, university, or state tourism sources.
The list
- 2
Rocktown Trails
710 Hillandale Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801; trail entrance at 422 South Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Rocktown Trails is a shared-use trail system at Hillandale Park, developed with Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition volunteers and IMBA. The system has three difficulty levels for runners, walkers, and cyclists.
Best for: mountain biking and walking
- 3
Friendly City Trail
801 Hillandale Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
The Friendly City Trail is a 2.2-mile hard-surfaced shared-use path connecting Harrisonburg High School and Bluestone Elementary to Thomas Harrison Middle School and Westover Park. It passes through Hillandale Park and alongside Heritage Oaks Golf Course.
Best for: walking and cycling
- 4
Purcell Park
41 Monument Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Purcell Park is a 67-acre city park with a 1.5-mile walking trail, and a large portion of the Bluestone Trail runs through it. Park facilities also include playing fields, tennis and pickleball courts, a playground, picnic shelters, and restrooms.
Best for: walking
- 5
Bluestone Trail
41 Monument Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
The Bluestone Trail is a 2-mile hard-surfaced shared-use path connecting James Madison University to Stone Spring Road. Its route includes the JMU campus, Purcell Park, and nearby neighborhoods.
Best for: walking and cycling
- 6
Ralph Sampson Park
431 East Washington Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Ralph Sampson Park is a 31-acre city park with a natural-surface walking trail and a paved path around the park perimeter. The park also has athletic and recreation facilities.
Best for: walking
- 7
Smithland Athletic Complex
1542 Smithland Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 (west entrance); 1336 Smithland Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 (east entrance)
Smithland Athletic Complex is a city recreation property with a 0.75-mile natural-surface trail. The 175-acre complex also has four full-size athletic fields and restrooms.
Best for: walking
- 8
Westover Park
305 South Dogwood Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Westover Park is a 48-acre city park and one of the places where visitors can access the Friendly City Trail. The park includes a swimming pool complex, skate park, and 18-hole disc golf course.
Best for: walking and cycling
- 9
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Free · 780 University Boulevard, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
The Edith J. Carrier Arboretum is a woodland preserve and botanical garden on the James Madison University campus. Its grounds include more than three miles of trails and are open daily from dawn to dusk, free to the public.
Best for: walking and nature