The 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail takes a lot of research and preparation to thru-hike. If you don't want to tackle it all at once, you can break it up into sections.
ROAN MOUNTAIN — A small but very important parcel of land in the Roan Highlands has been acquired by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust conserving land
The Appalachian Trail stretches over 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. In the Tri-Cities area, volunteers of the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing club maintain 134 miles of trail from Spivey Gap (near Erwin) to the Tennessee/Virginia border just outside of Damascus.
Many thru-hikers, section-hikers and trail veterans consider several sites along these 134 miles as some of the most picturesque in the entire length of this famed path.
With summer rolling in, itâs time to head to the cooler temperatures of the higher elevations and experience these amazing vistas. We have multiple access spots along the trail within a short drive from the Tri-Cities, ranging from easy to difficult treks.
Important Roan Mountain tract now in public ownership The Roan Mountain Gateway provides beautiful views of the iconic area. USFS/Dan Belanger photo
A 91-acre area known as the Roan Mountain Gateway is now in U.S. Forest Service ownership after the Southern Appalachians Highlands Conservancy recently transferred it to public ownership.
The acreage was the last privately owned land on N.C. 261 before reaching the popular Carvers Gap area, where the Appalachian Trail crosses. The Roan Mountain Gateway is prominent in views from Round Bald and Jane Bald, iconic locations along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in the Highlands of Roan. The land contains high-elevation habitat, including restored habitat for neo-tropical migratory Golden-winged Warblers and other species, as well as headwater tributaries that flow into local trout streams.