The Appalachian Trail traces its roots to the vision of Benton MacKaye, a regional planner who convened an Appalachian Trail "conference" in 1925 in Washington D.C. This initial gathering of hikers, foresters, and public officials laid the groundwork for not only the trail, but for an organization to build, manage and protect it. The Southwest Virginia section of the Trail covers 166 miles from Pearisburg south to Damascus. 

 

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