The Overmountain Victory Trail, a long-distance trail that traverses the mountains from Virginia to South Carolina, is continuing to gain historic recognition.

Designated as a National Historic Trail, it follows the Revolutionary War route of Patriot militiamen coming from Virginia, Eastern Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina to the battle site at Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina. The Patriot victory at Kings Mountain is widely considered a turning point of the Revolutionary War.

The National Park Service, USDA Forest Service and Overmountain Victory Trail Association are working with state and county government officials and local landowners to officially designate routes that will eventually comprise about 330 miles of the Overmountain Victory Trail.

A ceremony and re-enactment of the march was held in Burke and Caldwell counties last week on the 225th anniversary of the American Patriot army’s passage through that area. A wayside exhibit commemorating the trail was installed as part of the ceremony.

The dedicated wayside exhibit is in the Pisgah National Forest. The exhibit highlights 36 miles of trail that will be designated as the Overmountain Victory Trail in Burke and McDowell counties.