Magic in the Mountains

This article originally appeared on The Trek, which you can read here.

Loudoun County, Virginia, will host its 7th annual Appalachian Trail Festival on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Home to three Appalachian Trail communities — Round Hill, Hillsboro, and Bluemont — the county will bring all three towns together to celebrate the AT and the great outdoors.

The festival will take place at the Old Stone School grounds 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 lineup of activities and programming, including a much-hyped climbing wall.

Festivities begin Friday, June 5, with a nature-themed art show reception and a ticketed event featuring author and renowned hiker Heather “Anish” Anderson. On Saturday, attendees can enjoy a day filled with live music, storytelling, and trail-centered 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 schedule also includes several “Trail Talks” from notable authors and hikers, including National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Heather Anderson, backcountry foodie and historian Jeff Ryan, and Grandma Gatewood’s Walk author Ben Montgomery, along with conservation groups and current thru-hikers.

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

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

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

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

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