Loudoun Appalachian Trail Festival Celebrates the Trail’s 100th Year
Jody Brady, Loudoun Appalachian Trail Festival Director
Tens of thousands of thru-hikers and day-hikers trek the 35 miles of the Appalachian Trail that traverses Western Loudoun every year. This is the sixth year that Loudoun County toasts the Trail in a free, daylong festival—and it’s the sixth year that PATC will take part in the event with a display and speakers.
This year’s festival, on June 7, puts the spotlight on the 100th anniversary of the AT, with Appalachian Trail Conservancy President Sandi Marra opening the festival with a short talk at 11:30 a.m/. Loudoun’s three official AT Communities (an ATC designation) - Round Hill, Hillsboro and Bluemont - will mark the monumental milestone in Hillsboro.
Caroline Murray, executive director of the Loudoun Appalachian Trail Association and an A.T. thru-hiker, said, “We are proud to be part of the celebrations happening along the Trail this year to mark its first century. This festival brings together the beauty of the Trail, our local A.T. communities, and outdoor enthusiasts from across the region to learn about and celebrate what makes the AT so special.”
The free, family-friendly event starts at 11 a.m. at Hillsboro’s Old Stone School featuring live music, outdoor activities, a nature-inspired art show, hiking talks, trail and information, a rock-climbing wall, food, local wines and beers, and more. In addition to PATC, local hiking/environmental groups participating include the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, Blue Ridge PRISM, Sierra Club, Sweet Run and Sky Meadows state parks, Potomac Heritage Trail Association, VA Master Naturalists, and more.
PATC President Jim Fetig will join a thru-hikers’ panel led by PATC member Charlie Billingsley at 12:30 p.m.. Other talks include Mills Kelly’s “Hikers’ History of the AT” (1:30 p.m.) and a day hike panel at 2:45 p.m..
Event Details
When: June 7, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro, VA
Cost: Free, family-friendly event
What to expect: Live music, hiking talks, nature crafts, outdoor activities, art displays, kids’ activities, food vendors, ice cream, local beers and wines, and much more.
For more information about the Loudoun Appalachian Trail Festival, visit LoudounAT.org.
--Loudoun Appalachian Trail Association
