The next big thing in Appalachian adventure: Trails open in Martin County

A sign at the mouth of Middle Fork of Wolf Creek Road in Debord announces the next big thing: First Frontier Appalachian Trails. (Citizen photo by Roger Smith)

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

DEBORD — This past Saturday, Martin County officially kicked off a new era of outdoor adventure. The inaugural trail of the First Frontier Appalachian Trails made its debut in Debord during the annual Fall Hill Crawl, drawing a crowd of outdoor enthusiasts and local officials alike.

Officials gather for a ceremony Saturday in Debord to kick off the opening of adventure trails in Martin County. (Citizen photo by Roger Smith)

State Reps. Bobby McCool and Chris Fugate, State Senators Philip Wheeler and G. Williams, and Martin County Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills were all on hand for the ceremony. Together with trail authority members, they gathered at the base of Middle Fork Wolf Creek Road off New Route 3 for prayers, speeches, and, of course, the unveiling of a new sign and the ribbon-cutting moment that marked the start of something big.

Cody Slone and family were among the many trails riders who participated in the Harvest Fest Parade on Saturday before the opening of the inaugural KMRRA trail in Martin County. (Citizen photo by Brittani McCoy)

First Frontier is no small project—it is a sprawling trail system developed under the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority (KMRRA), designed to connect 18 counties across eastern Kentucky. The idea is to tap into the region’s natural beauty, drawing adventurers and tourists with off-road vehicle trails and other outdoor experiences.

The KMRRA, born out of 2017 state legislation, was created to breathe new life into Kentucky’s Appalachian region by bolstering tourism and outdoor recreation.

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