Join Us For The 3rd Annual Old Fort Trails and Trains Festival!

June 5th, 6th & 7th, 2025!

See you at the 3rd annual Trails & Trains Festival June 5, 6 & 7th, 2025! Mark your calendar and help us celebrate the Great Trails State by joining us in downtown Old Fort, North Carolina. Come celebrate with us the rich history of our Blue Ridge Mountain community by focusing on its pathways and connections through the town’s notable railroad and Pisgah National Forest history.

2025 Event Schedule

Fonta Flora
Fun 5K RunFonta Flora Fun Run

Fonta Flora Fun run 

Ridge to Rails
Half & 10k

Ridge To Rails

We Need Volunteers!

Fly Fishing Film Tour

Catawba Falls Grand Reopening

The US Forest Service celebrated the Catawba Falls with a public reopening celebration on May 31, 2024.  Come rediscover Catawba Falls in Old Fort this summer!  Shuttle Rides from downtown Old Fort to the Catawba Falls Trailhead will be available Friday and Saturday!

Hikers in the Pisgah National Forest of Old Fort NC.

Outdoor Adventures

National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Jennifer Pharr Davis Resilience and Community Presentation. 

Old Fort Yoga Presents    Yoga Fest

The McDowell Trails Association will host guided hikes.

The Ridge to Rails 50 K|Half|10K on site at the Old Fort Gateway Trail System

Friends of Fonta Flora State Trail is having a 5k run/walk. 

  • Yoga Hike
  • Fly Fishing Demos
  • Forest Disruption Hike
  • Plein Aire Sketching
  • Dog Walk
  • Pollinator Garden
  • Trail Discussions

Rails & Rhythms Bluegrass Night Friday
Vendor Village on Saturday

No festival would be complete without an awesome lineup of Bluegrass Music.  Friday night features three bluegrass bands from 6:30 – 10:00 you won’t want to miss!

Saturday discover a variety of outdoor equipment, trail organizations, food trucks, vendors, music from the Happy Enchiladas and live demonstrations designed to teach new skills for your outdoor adventures. 

The train depot and arrowhead statue in Old Fort NC

Train Experience

Reflecting the rich rail history in Old Fort, we will have exhibitors and speakers sharing the growth, expansion and development of railroads in the region. Take part in a self guided tour of the Old Fort Train Depot at 25 West Main Street in downtown Old Fort.

Train Expo

Central Carolina NScalers Model Train

NC Transportation Museum

A live “Railroad Convict Story” presentation

Depot Tours

2025 Mountain Bike Film Tour

Tickets on Sale for the RITUAL Mountain Bike Film Festival on Saturday evening. 

VIP Sponsor: Old Fort Bike Shop

Film Festival is from 7-9pm
Film Festival Doors will open at 6:00 

Location is Euda Wine, in Old Fort.