Click here for a video tour of five of the runs mentioned in the story below. You may need to download version 8 of the Flash player.
Whether you’re a veteran runner searching for a new route or a newbie looking for a place to start putting one foot in front of the other, warmer weather plus longer days equals a great opportunity to get outside and run. The gazz has rounded up some local runners’ favorite routes and done the legwork. All you have to do is lace up your sneakers and hit the trails.
1 -- Carriage Trail
Location: Charleston, across from downtown at the base of the South Side Bridge
How to get there: Park downtown near the bridge
Length: 0.65 miles
Course Description: The 15-foot-wide path snakes up a hill through trees, wildflowers and historical masonry remains. The path was originally used by horses traveling from the Sunrise Mansion — the house of West Virginia’s ninth governor, William A. MacCorkle — to downtown Charleston.
Hours open: Dawn to dusk.
Type of surface: Compacted gravel and dirt.
Elevation: Hilly with switchbacks.
Best part of the run: The forested hillside makes the trail cooler than downtown. The view of the city from the top is spectacular.
Why you should run it: “You feel like you’re miles away from the city because the trail is so peaceful, yet you’re only just minutes away.”
— Marshall Spradling, Charleston
2 -- Kanawha Riverfront Trail
Location: Along Kanawha Boulevard from Patrick Street to the 35th Street Bridge.
How to get there: Park along the Boulevard or any side street.
Length: 4.6 miles.
Course Description: There are two paths, one along the Boulevard and another closer to the river.
Hours open: 24/7.
Type of surface: Asphalt.
Elevation: Flat.
Best part of the run: It’s convenient to downtown, is a predictable course and offers great river views.
Why you should run it: “We find Kanawha Boulevard one of the prettiest runs around, since it’s along the river and there are some lovely historic homes along the route. In the fall and spring, the trees are in brilliant color.”
— Billy Joe Peyton, Charleston
3 -- Coonskin Park
Location: Charleston
How to get there: Exit 99 off I-64, take Greenbrier Street north for 2.5 miles, turn left on Coonskin Drive for about a mile before the park’s entrance.
Length: Trails range from 0.2 miles to 1.5 miles. A map is available at www.kcprc.com.
Course Description:
Runners along the trails see gorgeous views, rock formations and creeks. The trails range from smooth and wide to narrow, hardcore single track. Runners can find bathrooms and water fountains at the pro shop.
Hours open: Dawn to dusk.
Type of surface: Asphalt roads, dirt trails.
Elevation: Rolling.
Best part of the run: The trail types are varied.
Why you should run it: “The trails are a great way to escape the heat in the summer.”
— Daniel Todd, Charleston
4 -- Kanawha City Bike Route
Location: Along streets in Kanawha City.
How to get there: Start at the end of the parking lot in front of the University of Charleston’s pharmacy school and follow the route’s green signs.
Length: 7 miles.
Course Description: The course meanders through some of Kanawha City’s prettiest residential areas. Large trees hang over the streets and provide great shade. The run also goes along Kanawha Avenue, offering up river views.
Hours open: 24/7.
Type of surface: Asphalt.
Elevation: Fairly flat.
Best part of the run: There’s nice scenery and few cars.
Why you should run it: “There are some lovely views of the river, trees and nice houses. In the spring and fall it is especially appealing. Plus, it’s flat!”
— Billy Joe Peyton, Charleston
5 -- State Capitol to Yeager Airport
Location: Charleston’s East End.
How to get there: Start at the Capitol and run up Greenbrier Street to Airport Road to Yeager.
Length: 6 miles.
Course Description: The route involves a grueling uphill to the airport and then a nice, long down hill coming back. On the way back down, there’s one final long, punishing hill that tops at Northgate.
Hours open: 24/7.
Type of surface: Asphalt.
Elevation: Uphill.
Best part of the run: The downhill and low traffic on weekend mornings.
Why you should run it: “Tough route, but a great workout!”
— Billy Joe Peyton, Charleston
6 -- Kanawha State Forest
Location: Charleston.
How to get there: From Charleston, take U.S. 119 south and turn left onto Oakwood Road. Follow the brown and white signs to the forest.
Length: Depends on the trail you choose. Pick up a map with trail descriptions and lengths at the ranger station.
Course Description: There are more than 25 miles of trails in the 9,300-acre forest. Trail lengths range from 1/4 to 21/2 miles. Runners can find easier trails like the 1/4-mile wheelchair-accessible Salamander Trail and the fairly level 21/2-mile Davis Creek Trail. There are also several steep trails for runners with legs of steel.
Hours open: Front gate closes at 10 p.m.
Type of surface: Dirt trails, paved road.
Elevation: Depends on the trail.
Best part of the run: Varied elevation and lengths, plus the temperatures are always lower in the forest than in downtown Charleston.
Why you should run it: “When you come around the eastern part of Middle Ridge Trail at 6:30 a.m. and see the sun rising ... and the sound of the day beginning ... well, you just can’t beat it!”
— Dennis Hamrick, Charleston
7 -- St. Albans Loop
Location: Start at Main Street.
Length: 7.5 miles.
Course Description: Start at the St. Albans fire and police departments on Main Street. Head north on B Street and cross the railroad tracks. Run through residential areas on Grant Avenue and turn right on Spruce Street. Turn right on Washington Avenue and then left on Vine Street where the mile-long hill begins. Run to the intersection at Dry Ridge Road, which merges into Highland Drive and returns you to the loop’s beginning.
Hours open: 24/7.
Type of surface: Road.
Elevation: A mix of flat, uphill and downhill.
Best part of the run: The challenges of the hill and the shade from the hill’s trees on a hot summer day.
Why you should run it: “I measure the level of my fitness by how far I make it up the hill before wearing down. The ultimate training goal is to make it to the top of the hill, overlooking the swimming pool, without stopping.”
— Rob McCracken, St. Albans
8 -- Spring Hill Cemetery Loop
Location: Charleston.
Where to start: Kanawha County Courthouse, Court and Virginia streets.
Length: 4.3 miles.
Course Description: Start at courthouse and run north on Court Street, turn right on Piedmont Road at Greens Feed and Seed and then left on Slack Street. Run right onto Hinton Terrace and up Capitol Hill. Turn right on Sunset Drive and enjoy the great views of downtown Charleston and the warehouse district. Run up the hill to the cemetery. Veer left on Willow Lawn Lane, which turns into Middleton Drive. Follow the signs to the main gate and pass the cemetery office on the left. Turn right and run downhill and exit the cemetery on Farnsworth Drive. Turn left on Piedmont Road at the stop sign at the bottom of the hill and then turn left on Court Street to get to where you began.
Hours open: Cemetery gates are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Type of surface: Asphalt.
Elevation: Hilly.
Best part of the run: The terrain is varied and the cemetery is usually quiet and peaceful.
Why you should run it: “This course is not for the faint of heart. There are significant climbs getting to and inside the cemetery.”
— Gary Smith, Hurricane
9 -- Little Creek Park trails
Location: South Charleston.
How to get there: Take I-64 West and exit at the Kanawha Turnpike. Go straight for 1.4 miles and turn left at the Little Creek Park sign. Go 0.5 miles to the top of the hill and turn left into the park.
Length: 20-plus miles of trails.
Course Description: Sights along the trails include baseball fields, stands of hemlocks, rock formations, including the “Devil’s Tea Table,” sawmill ruins and abundant wildlife. Trails run through Trace Fork Canyon, on Little Creek Country Club property and connect to the Shops at Trace Fork.
Hours open: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Type of surface: Dirt trail, asphalt road.
Elevation: There’s a mix of relatively flat trails and lung-burning climbs. Two large map boards are located at trailheads to assist you in navigating the trails.
Best part of the run: In the dog days of summer, a run through the creek is perfect for cooling off.
Why you should run it: “The scenery is awesome and you are literally running in a forest in the city. It is relaxing and you never know what you will see, which is anything from a deer, squirrels, to a variety of birds. If you like being outside, uninterrupted, Little Creek Park is the place to run!”
— Robin L. Baldwin, Charleston
10 -- Danner Meadows Park track
Location: Fort Hill, Charleston.
How to get there: Take Oakwood exit off Interstate 64. Turn right onto Cantley Drive, pass Domino’s Pizza and follow the brown and white signs. Turn right on Wilkie Drive and left on South Fort Drive. Turn right on Longwood Drive and go down the hill to the park’s parking lot.
Length: Track is about a 1/3 of a mile.
Course Description: The track encircles a large soccer field. Thick woods surround the field. When the trees are full, you don’t see any houses or signs that you’re in the city. Deer, raccoons, rabbits, groundhogs and squirrels have been seen at the far end of the park. In the winter, some robins winter in the brush.
Hours open: Dawn to dusk.
Type of surface: Asphalt.
Elevation: Flat.
Best part of the run: Seclusion and wildlife.
Why you should run it: “It’s nice having this pocket of serenity hidden in the middle of the city.”
— Dave Thomas, Charleston
To contact staff writer Jennifer Ginsberg, use e-mail or call 348-5195.