Located at the western edge of the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia in the Alleghany Mountains, Highland County enjoys one of the highest mean elevations of any county east of the Mississippi River. Called “Virginia’s Little Switzerland” or “Virginia’s Sweet Spot” with roughly 2300 residents, it is also the least populous county in the Commonwealth.  Monterey, the county seat, is located 45 miles west of the intersection of Interstates 81 and 64 in Staunton. The annual Highland County Maple Festival draws over 25,000 visitors annually and is designated a “Local Legacy” by the Library of Congress.  Highland County is home to Virginia’s first Barn Quilt Trail, the Mountain Mama Road Bike Challenge, Highland County Fair, Hands & Harvest Festival, Wintertide, McDowell Battlefield, and more.  The county is 416 square miles of spectacular mountain terrain.