Longleaf Trace is Hattiesburg's best outdoor asset, a paved rail-trail that runs west from town through pine woods and small south Mississippi communities. The Hattiesburg gateway has parking, trail services, and easy access, so you can use the trace for anything from a short walk to a long bike ride.
The route is gentle by design, following an old railroad corridor rather than a hill-climbing hiking trail. That makes it good for families, runners, cyclists, and anyone who wants a quiet stretch away from traffic. Go early in summer; the shade helps, but the Mississippi heat still wins by midday.