BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
DEBORD — First Frontier Appalachian Trails announced Monday that several routes in its trail system in Martin County will be closed indefinitely due to a land lease conflict. However, organizers confirmed the Rural Revival Veterans Ride on May 16 will proceed as scheduled.
The closure stems from a lease issued by Pocahontas Land Company, which had previously allowed the trail system to incorporate the affected acreage. The land is now under lease to the Appalachian Legacy Initiative (ALI), a nonprofit horse rescue working to relocate its sanctuary to a new site from Long Branch.
“ALI is building containment areas and arranging pastures for rescue horses now under their care on the former Pontiki property,” First Frontier officials said in a statement.
As a result, trails 20, 15, 18, 33 and 22 are now closed.
“There is nothing we can do about this at the present moment,” the organization said.
Founded under the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority, First Frontier opened its inaugural trail in Martin County in September 2024. The initiative grew from 2017 legislation intended to revitalize eastern Kentucky by linking trail systems across 18 counties. Pocahontas Land Company played a vital role in that vision, incorporating 46,500 acres into the system in June 2023.
Since then, volunteers have worked to map and mark trails, secure leases and open a dedicated trailhead and headquarters in Debord.
Despite the recent setback, trail organizer Lara Mitchell Pack expressed hope that a resolution is within reach.
“I contacted Pocahontas, and they told me they were going to allow her to shut down those portions of the trail that were on her lease and allow us to go around and make different trails,” Pack explained. “And that’s what we’re in the process of doing.”
Volunteers were out Tuesday marking new paths.
While the closures eliminate key trail loops, Pack remains optimistic.
“The ever-popular Spring Knob remains accessible,” she said. “And don’t forget there are a ton more trails coming and signage going up all over the FFAT region… And did we mention Oliver Anthony Music is riding with us on May 16?”
The Rural Revival Veterans Ride will begin at 6 p.m. with riders departing from two trailheads: 3548 Davella Road in Debord and 316 Wolfpen Branch near Van Lear Camp and Ride. The groups will converge at the entrance to the Middle Fork of Wolf Creek Road off Route 3 in Debord.
Riding permits cost $25 for residents and $40 for non-residents. A three-day pass is $15, a one-day pass is $7, and military personnel with valid ID pay half-price. Children under 12 may ride free. Proceeds benefit DAV Chapter 18.
Registration is available at gforms.app/jMBpDrm.