Old Fort's Trails and Trains Festival Celebrates the History That Built These Mountains

 

By Jon Tharp, Broker  ·  June 3, 2026

Old Fort, NC has always been the place where the mountains begin, and on June 4 the town's downtown corridor becomes the center of one of the region's better small-town heritage festivals. The Trails and Trains Festival, presented by the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, brings together the two things that define this McDowell County community more than anything else: the railroad that climbed these mountains against every sensible engineering argument, and the forest that has surrounded the town ever since.

Old Fort sits at the base of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, about 35 miles east of Asheville on I-40, and that geography is the whole story. The town was built because the railroad had to stop here long enough to prepare for the brutal climb up the mountain. The famous Old Fort Loops, a series of switchbacks and horseshoe curves carved into the steep ridge in the 1870s, made possible what had seemed impossible, connecting the Piedmont to the mountain interior by rail. That history is baked into every corner of the town.

What happens at the Trails and Trains Festival?

The festival centers on heritage themes the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area has championed for years: mountain music, traditional crafts, foodways, outdoor culture, and Cherokee history. Expect live performances, artisan vendors, demonstrations, and the relaxed community energy that small-town festivals in this part of the state tend to do well.

Downtown Old Fort is the venue, which keeps everything within walking distance. The Mountain Gateway Museum, which tells the story of the railroad era and early mountain settlement, sits right in that corridor and adds historical depth to the day if you want it.

Why does the railroad history here matter so much?

The Western North Carolina Railroad was not just a transportation project. It was the opening of the mountains. Before the line pushed through in the 1870s, western North Carolina was genuinely isolated, its communities largely cut off from regional commerce and the broader economy. The Old Fort Loops solved the problem of the escarpment by winding the track up the mountain in a series of curves so tight that a long train could look back and see itself.

Andrews Geyser, a reconstructed fountain just outside of town near the old railroad grade, was built as a memorial to the workers who made that climb possible, including thousands of Chinese laborers who were largely written out of the official history for decades. The festival is a reminder that this infrastructure came at real human cost.

What does Pisgah National Forest have to do with Old Fort?

Pisgah National Forest borders the town on multiple sides, which is why Old Fort has become a trail town as much as a railroad town. Catawba Falls, one of the most popular short hikes in the region, is just a few minutes from downtown and draws steady traffic year-round. The broader forest trail network gives the town a second identity as an outdoor access point, especially for visitors coming up from the Piedmont on I-40.

That combination, history plus trailhead access plus an actual functioning downtown, is what makes Old Fort worth the visit beyond festival day.

Is this worth the drive if you're coming from Asheville or further?

Forty minutes from Asheville on I-40 is not a commitment. For anyone staying in the Black Mountain area, it's even less. The festival gives you a reason to spend a few hours in a town that rewards slow exploration on its own terms. Go early, walk the downtown, check out the museum, then stay for whatever is happening on the main stage.

If you have been curious about McDowell County and what life looks like a little further from the Asheville center, a day in Old Fort during the festival is a low-pressure way to find out. And if spending time in towns like this one has you thinking more seriously about making a move to the mountains, Jon Tharp is always glad to talk through what that might look like.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Trails and Trains Festival in Old Fort NC?

The Trails and Trains Festival is an annual community event hosted in downtown Old Fort, North Carolina, presented by the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. It celebrates Old Fort's deep connections to two defining features of the region: the historic Western North Carolina Railroad, which used the famous Old Fort Loops to climb the steep Blue Ridge Escarpment, and Pisgah National Forest, which borders the town and offers some of the most accessible hiking in the mountains. The festival highlights heritage themes including mountain music, traditional crafts, foodways, outdoor culture, and Cherokee history.

Where is Old Fort NC and how do I get there from Asheville?

Old Fort is a small town in McDowell County, located about 35 miles east of Asheville along I-40. The drive takes roughly 40 minutes. Old Fort sits at the base of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, right where the mountains begin to flatten into the Piedmont foothills. It is often called the Gateway to the Mountains. Take I-40 East to Exit 73, then follow US-70 into downtown. Parking is available along the main corridor, and the downtown area is walkable once you arrive.

What is the history of the railroad in Old Fort NC?

Old Fort's railroad history is one of the more remarkable engineering stories in the Southeast. In the 1870s, the Western North Carolina Railroad pushed through McDowell County and up the Blue Ridge using a series of switchbacks and horseshoe curves known as the Old Fort Loops. The grade climbs nearly 1,400 feet in just a few miles, and the original construction required thousands of workers, including Chinese laborers, over years of difficult mountain terrain. Andrews Geyser, a reconstructed fountain near the old railroad grade, stands as a memorial to the workers who built the line. The railroad opened the mountains to commerce, timber, and eventually tourism.

What trails are near Old Fort NC in Pisgah National Forest?

Old Fort sits at the edge of Pisgah National Forest, giving it access to several popular trails within a short drive. Catawba Falls is the most visited, a 1.5-mile round-trip hike to a 100-foot cascade off Old US-70 that draws hikers year-round. The Old Fort Picnic Area provides access to additional forest roads and creek walks. For more serious hiking, the Black Mountain Crest Trail is accessible not far north, and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail passes through the broader McDowell County corridor. The combination of easy trailheads and deep forest makes Old Fort a natural launch point for outdoor recreation.

Is Old Fort NC a good base for exploring Western North Carolina?

Old Fort is a practical and often overlooked base for exploring the western mountains. It sits directly on I-40 with quick access east toward the Piedmont and west toward Black Mountain, Asheville, and points deeper into the Blue Ridge. Real estate prices in McDowell County tend to run lower than in Buncombe or Henderson County, which makes the area attractive for buyers who want mountain proximity without Asheville pricing. The town has a growing arts and small business scene, a strong sense of local history, and immediate access to Pisgah National Forest trails and the historic railroad corridor.