7th Annual Loudoun AT Festival To Be Held June 6

loudoun county, virginia will host its 7th annual edition Appalachian Trail Festival on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Home to three Appalachian Trail communities (Round Hill, Hillsboro and Bluemont), the county will bring together the three cities to celebrate the AT and the outdoors.

The festival will be held on the grounds of Old Stone School in Hillsboro (37098 Charles Town Pike) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In 2025, more than 2,000 people attended the entirely volunteer-run event, and organizers expect 2026 to be even bigger, with a full range of activities and programming, including a much-hyped climbing wall.

The festivities begin on Friday, June 5, with a reception featuring a nature-themed art exhibit and a ticketed event featuring author and renowned hiker Heather “Anish” Anderson. On Saturday, attendees can enjoy a day full of live music, storytelling and trail-focused programming. The festival will feature Appalachian and Americana bands, family-friendly activities, local vendors and a wide selection of regional food, beer and wine.

The program also includes several “Trail Talks” from notable authors and hikers, including National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Heather Anderson, historian and foodie Jeff Ryan, and Grandma Gatewood’s Walk author Ben Montgomery, along with current conservation and hiking groups.

Children of all ages enjoy the climbing wall. Photo by Kim Ramsey

Free transportation will be available for hikers from Keys Gap (mile 1020.5 northbound) and Harpers Ferry (mile 1027 northbound). The festival will also offer free Wi-Fi, charging stations and campsites for hikers. Hikers can expect “complimentary food and lots of trail magic,” according to Jody Brady, director of the Loudoun Appalachian Trail Association.

«Whether you’re an avid hiker or a casual stroller, it’s a perfect day to discover new trails and local stewardship,» Brady said.

For more details and a full calendar of events, visit the festival website.

All images, including featured image, courtesy of Loudoun Appalachian Trail Festival.

Presented Image: The Short Hill Mountain Boys join the festival again in 2026. Photo by Kim Ramsey

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