Loop De Ville coming up on September 27

The Rivanna Trails Foundation was formed in 1992 to help create a circular loop around the City of Charlottesville and the organization has worked to keep it going ever since.

On September 27, the group and other organizations will celebrate what has been built with the annual Loop de’Ville.

“It’s a blast,” said City Councilor Natalie Oschrin at the September 15, 2025 meeting of City Council. “I learned a lot about the city that I have grown up in and lived here almost of my life.”

There will be several aid stations along the way for those willing to make the trek and shorter segments are available as well.

“And if you start out thinking you’re going to do the whole thing and tap out, there’s a shuttle that will come and pick you up and take you back to the start,” Oschrin said.

That start is at the Rivanna River Company on East High Street. The company operates on a portion of 23.8 acres of land purchased by the City of Charlottesville in 2023 to prevent development of an apartment complex.

The event is free but registration will help organizers know how many people are going to attend.

An official run kicks off at 8 a.m. and the official hike begins at 8:30 a.m.

An organized hike of a three-mile section of the Rivanna Trail begins at 2 p.m. The Piedmont Environment Council has organized an inclusive walk for all users highlighting a series of stewardship projects along the Rivanna.

“When we say that the walk will be inclusive, we are serious,” said Peter Krebs, PEC’s Community Advocacy Manager. “The walk will be along the paved portion of the Rivanna Trail, suitable for people of all ages and people in wheelchairs. The exact route and distance will depend on the abilities and desires of the people who show up, and we will be able to accommodate multiple options, none greater than three miles.”

For a history of the Rivanna Trail, take a look at an essay written by Fran Lawrence on the RTF’s website.

Before you go: The time to write and conduct research for this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment comes from the September 18, 2025 edition of the program. To ensure this research can be sustained, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or contributing monthly through Patreon.