6 Reasons to Take Part in the Loop de'Ville Festival

It’s rare to find a car-free stretch of trails so close to city life! The Rivanna Trail can be easily accessed all across the city. After you hike, bike or run the trail, you can enjoy a cold beer and bite to eat at the Wool Factory or find a meal at one of our many restaurants in town. We have a wide range of hotels and accommodations you can stay in, as well, from a boutique hotel to a B&B.

Many visitors have experienced smaller sections of the Rivanna Trail from popular hop-on points like Riverview Park or Woolen Mills. But the first day of the festival provides the opportunity to complete the entire 20+ mile loop by taking part in guided group events! You can choose from a group bike ride, hike, or run which will hit the trail at different start times.

20-Mile Full Loop Run

A group run of the entire main Rivanna Trail loop, starting at 8:30 am, hosted by the Charlottesville Area Trail Runners.

20-Mile Full Loop Hike

The festival’s signature event since 2002, a group hike of the entire 20-mile Rivanna Trail loop, starting at 8:30 am.

20-Mile Full Loop Bike

Join a group ride around the entire 20-mile Rivanna Trail loop. There will be three group rides available, depending on speed and experience.

If you're looking for fewer than 20 miles, Sunday is the day for you! Choose from any of the group events that will explore smaller sections of the trail through biking, walking, and running and head to the Loop De'Ville website for more details and registration.

6-Mile Rivanna Trail Walk

This 6-mile hike will start at the Wool Factory at 10 am and head to Jordan Park and back.

17-Mile River North Bike

This is a 17-mile guided group mountain bike ride of the River North segment of the trail, starting at 9:30 am. The group will head to Dunlora and Belvedere and back.

Family-Friendly Walks

A family-friendly, self-guided scavenger hunt along a 0.25 mile loop starting at the Wool Factory.

5-Mile No-Drop Group Run

A shorter run that starts at 11:00 am, hosted by the Charlottesville Area Trail Runners.

No matter the speed you recreate at, there’s a group event for you. Cyclists can choose from three different levels of the group ride on Saturday.

Novice | Slow Ride | 11:00 AM

Intermediate | Brisk Pace Ride | 1:00 PM

Advanced | Fast Ride | 2:30 PM

Saturday night is when the fun really takes off! Join the After Party at Rivanna River Company for a free concert from Mighty Joshua, local beers, and food truck fare. A limited-edition beer from Selvedge Brewing will be on tap. Look out for six kegs of “Infi-knit Trail!”

This family-friendly event is free and open to the public – everyone is invited! Participation in the weekend’s trail events is not required to attend the concert and After Party.

The Loop de’Ville Festival exists to introduce the beauty of the trail system to the wider community and ensure it continues to exist for generations to come! Proceeds raised throughout the Festival weekend will benefit the Rivanna Trails Foundation which is dedicated to maintaining the trail, expanding its offerings, and reaching a wider and more diverse set of trail users.

By taking part in an event or attending the After Party, you’ll contribute to the Rivanna Trails Foundation’s new trail maintenance program which will hire local youth from underserved communities in Charlottesville to help maintain and experience the Rivanna Trail.

Don’t miss the chance to take part in this special outdoor event! Registration is now open on the Rivanna Trails website where you can find more information on all the rides and regular trail programming.

See you on the trail!