In the hustle of today’s world, parks that offer some refuge from the concrete are a huge boon to city dwellers. The Sunrise Carriage Trail in Charleston, West Virginia boasts a short, easy walking trail and a respite for you and your pooch.

This riverfront trail with panoramic views of Charleston, West Virginia began as a route for building materials.
Cindy Williams/Google Local
Large Georgian stone was carted up the hill from the Kanawha River near the CSX Rail Station to the site of the Maccorkle Mansion. The Mansion was completed in 1905. It was the home of the ninth Governor of West Virginia: William A. MacCorkle.
The Sunrise Mansion (named after MacCorkle’s childhood home) was on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The building served as the Avampato Discovery Museum from 1961 to 2003 when it was converted back to private ownership.
Changju Lee/Alltrails
The trail is out and back. The entrance closest to the river features a cute park with a covered well and a bridge over a small creek.
Kirk Larrabee/Alltrails
The other entrance begins at the Mansion and loops around the back of the building. There are flowers and garden beds throughout.

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The 11.28 acres on which the trail sits were gifted to the city of Charleston by the current owners. And now the mossy section of forest with its stone walls, fountains, benches is maintained as “a quiet place of beauty for walking and contemplation.”
Nicole Boggess/Google Local
If you like the possibility of seeing something spooky on your walkabout, Sunrise has both historical and supernatural value. There are accounts from both visitors and employees of seeing the Governor’s ghost walking about his coveted home.
Sara Phelps Crawford/Alltrails
About halfway up the trail is a statue dedicated to the Governor’s daughter Isabelle. There are rumors that the Governor’s ashes were interred in the base of the statue, and that it has been seen crying tears of blood on Halloween night. Spooky!
If you prefer history to the paranormal, the trail also has a monument to two unknown females executed as Civil War spies. After being convicted by a court, they were executed and buried on the spot in 1862.
Kirk Larrabee/Alltrails
Tucked into a quiet, cozy neighborhood, this trail allows dogs on leash. Walkers are asked to stay on the trail to help prevent erosion and to respect the animals that live there.
Jennifer Bauman/Google Local

Let us know in the comments if you see any wandering ghosts on your nature walk. Looking for a chance to cool off instead? Check out this list of 10 Swimming Holes in West Virginia.

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746 Myrtle Rd, Charleston, WV 25314, USA