Living in Virginia Hunt Country
Virginia Hunt Country is a land of rolling hills and stacked stone walls, punctuated with the sights and sounds of troops of horses galloping, with riders astride in the traditional uniform of red coats and black helmets. This swath of countryside does not have definitive borders, but is generally considered to stretch over Loudon, Fauquier, and Rappahannock Counties. Depending on who you ask, the region’s boundaries may extend into nearby counties, but everyone agrees that Hunt Country is centered on Middleburg, a small hamlet of less than 1,000 people. The idea of porous borders extends to the landowners here, with farm and estate owners often including provisos on deeds that the riders (and hikers) be allowed to cross their land freely when traversing the verdant terrain. Estates can include considerable acreage and baronial houses, but the vibe in the local villages is low-key and casual, while offering some outstanding dining and shopping experiences.