Follow the Your Taste Buds: Food and Beverage Trails of Western North Carolina
There are hiking trails, water trails, running trails, and biking trails, but today, we aren’t covering recreational trails. Western North Carolina is a regional hotspot of farms, breweries, vineyards, and foods. Trails promoting the food and beverage industries are being created on a regular basis. Similar to agrotourism, even sometimes falling under that category, the food and beverage trails bring visitors out to counties to witness the food and drinks that contribute to this region’s heritage.
Whether or not you’re new to the counties of Western North Carolina or just visiting Asheville, following these trails is an excellent way to learn more about the towns throughout the region. Support your local businesses and learn new things. Even if you consider yourself a local, there’s always another place to discover in a valley or around a mountain road.
🥧 Surry Sonker Trail – Surry County, located in the Yadkin Valley, has built a whole trail around the delectable sonker. What, you may ask, is a sonker? It’s a dessert that is half cobbler, half pie, and 100% delicious. There are currently seven stops at different bakeries and restaurants.
🍺 Asheville Ale Trail – If you weren’t aware, Asheville, is considered one of the biggest brewing cities. The Ale Trail Field Guide can be found at tourism kiosks throughout the region. It is a compendium of brewery profiles, maps, tasting notebook, and distilleries and wineries.
🍷 NC Wine Trail – Don’t let the name deceive you. This is actually a catchall for a combination of wine, cider, and shine trails through North Carolina, many of which are in the western portion of the state.
🐔 Neck of the Woods Trail – Located in the High Country Region and encompassing 7 counties) the Neck of the Wood Trail focuses on authentic food heritage of the Appalachian mountains. It includes farmers markets, beverage makers, farm tours, local restaurants, and more.
🍨 Henderson County Ice Cream Trail – Established in the summer of 2024, this trail features 13 ice cream shops and parlors throughout Henderson County. It is an excellent way to have a family-friendly adventure and discover new corners of the area!
🧀 Cheese Trail – Cheese is kind of a big deal anywhere you go these days. The WNC Cheese Trail was created in 2012 to promote artisan cheese makers, educate others, and promote tourism. The website provides maps and contact information of cheese makers, wineries and cideries, grocers and bottle shops, restaurants, and lodging.
Contact the Quinn Anderson Real Estate Solutions Team to learn more about WNC, counties, and real estate.
