Celebrate National Public Lands Day as a participant or volunteer
Participants hiking at the 2025 Loop de ‘Ville. Credit: James Carter Minerva Photography.
WHO: YOU, we hope! The Loop de ‘Ville relies on members of the Charlottesville community, including hikers, bikers, walkers, runners, and lovers of the outdoors at all levels of ability.
WHAT: Join The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), the Rivanna Trails Foundation (RTF) and the City of Charlottesville as a volunteer or participant for this annual trail festival. We welcome both newcomers and experienced trail users to celebrate the connectedness of our community through the trails and natural landscape that surround Charlottesville.
To Volunteer: Register here!
The Loop de ‘Ville’s success relies on volunteers, and there are plenty of roles for hands (and feet) for this year’s festival. All volunteers receive t-shirts, a beverage token and undying adoration from the organizers!
- Trail guide: these superstars lead participants along the 3, 10, 20, or 30 miles of the trails! Get special swag and recognition if you volunteer as a run, bike, or hike trail guide!
- Cheer zone hype teams: great opportunity for your company, group or organization to support participants by bringing the energy and fun!
- Setup: Join the team making the starting and finish line ready to rock for our Loop de ‘Ville festival participants and friends.
- Cheer zone support: Help out one of our seven Cheer Zones as they bring the energy, good vibes, and support to all our Loop participants.
- Check in + registration: Help check in participants and volunteers and direct them to their event leaders.
- Parking attendant: Help event participants find parking on-site or at various nearby lots.
- Beer + beverage support: Work the beer station with setup, sales, and pouring. (Must be 25 years+ to pour, 18+ to sell).
- Break down: Help us pack it all up and celebrate another successful year of the Loop de ‘Ville!
To Participate: Register here!
- Hike: Register for our 20-mile (full loop), 10-mile (half loop) or 3 mile (accessible for all abilities) guided walks.
- Run: Register for our 20 or 10-mile guided runs.
- Bike: Register for our 20, 30, or 40+-mile guided bike rides. Mountain bike required.
WHEN: Sunday, September 27, 2026
WHERE: Rivanna River Co.,1520 E High St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
WHY: Loop de ‘Ville offers a full day of guided group hikes, walks, runs, and bike rides on the Rivanna Trail.
It provides a chance to experience a guided and supported hike, run, or bike on the ~20 mile loop of trails that encircle our city. It’s a great way to learn more about the community!
Only want to do a mile or two? No problem! Do a self-guided event or join the 3-mile all-abilities walk. Join for what you want and nothing more. Some folks are even doing team relays!
All events are FREE with an optional donation!
The event coincides with National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands, and when thousands of community conservation and service events take place. This event provides a way to join forces with people in Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and across the nation appreciating our shared resources.
Media Contact: Elizabeth Ransom, Media & PR Specialist, [email protected]; 540-347-2334 x 7029
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The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) works to protect and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)3 nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.
Loop de ‘Ville: More than 20 years ago, the Rivanna Trail Foundation members decided to lead a guided hike on the ~20-mile loop of the Rivanna Trail that encircles Charlottesville. It soon became an annual tradition and has continued for decades. Previously open only to members of the RTF, the event eventually opened to the public and has since turned into a festival to celebrate the trail, connect the community, and introduce newcomers to this incredible resource in our backyards. Local volunteers work year-round to support the trail system in Charlottesville and Albemarle County and this event is a great opportunity to showcase those efforts and the benefits they provide to the community.
Rivanna Trails Foundation (RTF) is an all-volunteer organization supported solely by tax-deductible contributions, that believes that community-wide trails serve as a resource for nature-related recreation, environmental education, and human-powered transportation. RTF works to promote, create, and protect pathways, trails, and greenways in the Rivanna River Watershed that connect communities and people to one another and to nature.
