Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail   by Dawn Allison

in Outdoors / Running    (submitted 2012-01-15)

The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail is a Revolutionary War era trail running from Abingdon, Virginia to Kings Mountain National Military Park in the Upstate of South Carolina. The trail covers 330 miles in four states. It follows the route that Patriot forces took in 1780 to drive the British out of the southern colonies.

The original trail ran from southern Virginia through eastern Tennessee, and then crossed the high mountains of North Carolina into the Upstate of South Carolina. Nearly 2,000 men joined the Patriot forces that came over the Appalachians, and 900 of the best riders met the British and loyalist troops at Kings Mountain, South Carolina on October 7, 1780. In a battle that lasted one hour, the Patriots defeated the British, inflicting heavy casualties. The Battle of Kings Mountain was the beginning of the end of the war for the British forces, who eventually surrendered at Yorktown.

The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail was established in 1980 by the National Park Service. Much of the trail today is a paved Commemorative Motor Route which is open all year. There is a 70 mile branch of the trail from Elkin, North Carolina that joins the main trail at Morganton, North Carolina. Seven walking sections of trail remain unpaved. The trail portions are open year round from dawn to dusk. There are no user fees.

The trail begins on Colonial Road in Abingdon. There are a number of points of interest along the route that visitors can explore. Fort Watauga was a mustering grounds used by the Overmountain men. The reconstructed fort may be found at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in Elizabethton, Tennessee. The highest point along the trail is Roan Mountain, sixteen miles south of Elizabethton. Roan Mountain State Park has a beautiful rhododendron garden and is the site of a Rhododendron Festival each June. Near Spruce Pine, North Carolina is the Museum of North Carolina Minerals. The Overmountain Trail crosses nearby Gillespie Gap, at the intersection of Hwy 226 and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors may tour the historic McDowell House in Morganton, North Carolina. Morganton was a rendezvous point prior to the march to Kings Mountain. Cowpens National Battlefield, near Spartanburg, South Carolina, commemorates an American victory that became a turning point for the Revolutionary War in the southern colonies.

Each September and October re-enactors retrace the Overmountain Victory Trail in a two week march. They stop along the way at the various historic sites related to the war. Highlights of the march include ceremonies and special events. Many hikers will just walk a short portion of the trail or stop at one of the historical points of interest. The trail is a great way to explore the region and learn about its history.

About the Author

Dawn Allison, General Manager at the Hampton Inn Spartanburg. This Spartanburg Hotel invites guests to step back in time to the colonial era or indulge in modern luxuries and recreation in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Hampton Inn & Suites Spartanburg Hotel on North I-85 is situated to offer easy access to the Duncan business centers and is just minutes from Wofford College. Guests can take a short drive into Greenville to see historic landmarks or enjoy world-class entertainment. This Spartanburg hotel offers a full range of services and amenities to make your stay exceptional.

For more information visit: http://www.HamptonInnSpartanburg.com