I went through Damascus while riding a stretch of the Virginia creeper trail. Its a beautiful area, and the creeper trail runs with the AT for part of the trip too. As a result I've never hiked any of the AT, but I have biked a little of it :P. That, along with a trip to Fall creek falls is what got me and my girlfriend interested in taking up hiking. I cant speak for the other areas being talked about, but Damascus was pretty nice.