Here in Kentucky, we have a world of hiking all within reach. We can explore underground caves and grand canyons, hike to scenic overlooks and hidden gems. And when we’re in the mood for a spine-tingling trek? Well, we have loads of options sure to scratch that itch, too! There’s this hike to a real-life ghost ship. And this trek in Kentucky’s very own ghost town. But the creepiest hike in Kentucky ventures through an abandoned battlefield, and it’s a trek that’s sure to make your hairs stand on end.
Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site is one of the most beautiful – and often overlooked – state parks in Kentucky.
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Its 19 miles of trails wind through some of the most scenic and historic sites in the state. In fact, Perryville Battlefield might be one of the most historically significant places in American history!
Kentucky State Parks
On October 8, 1862, cannon explosions shattered the rural peace of this bucolic Bluegrass countryside.
Sarah Altendorf/Flickr
You see, in 1862, Kentucky suffered its greatest battle of the Civil War in rural Perrysville.
Christa Minton/AllTrails
One of the most brutal and bloody battles of the Civil War, when it was all said and done, more than 7,600 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing.
Kentucky State Parks
Today, this Kentucky state park tells of the battle that was the South’s last serious attempt to gain possession of Kentucky. This Kentucky battlefield is one of the most unaltered Civil War sites in the nation; what you see today is virtually the same as what those brave soldiers saw on that fateful day in 1862.
Kentucky State Parks This is one of the stops along Kentucky’s Lincoln Heritage Trail, in fact.
The total acreage of the battlefield is 1,200 acres, and there is a self-guided walking tour on the battlefield with plaques outlining important events.
Kentucky State Parks
While there are numerous hiking options within the park, this eponymous 1.3-mile loop trail is an accessible favorite, though while rated as “easy,” it’s not for the faint of heart. Because it’s quite possibly the most haunted hike in Kentucky.
Sharon Mollerus/Flickr Along with offering paranormal tours, the battlefield has been featured on the Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures.”
Two of the houses on the battlefield are also said to have large amounts of paranormal activity, and the site as a whole is considered one of the state’s most haunted grounds.
Christian Pilgrim/AllTrails
If these fields could talk, what would they say?
Kentucky State Parks/Facebook
Visit Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site and hike along its trails, and you might just get an answer…
Sarah Altendorf/Flickr
Have you hiked at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site before? Do you agree that it’s the creepiest place to hike in Kentucky? Share your experiences at this historic and haunted site in the comments below…
Kentucky State Parks/Facebook
Kentucky State Parks
Sarah Altendorf/Flickr
Christa Minton/AllTrails
This is one of the stops along Kentucky’s Lincoln Heritage Trail, in fact.
Sharon Mollerus/Flickr
Along with offering paranormal tours, the battlefield has been featured on the Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures.”
Christian Pilgrim/AllTrails
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Address: Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site, 1825 Battlefield Rd, Perryville, KY 40468, USA