The Trails
More than 30 day-long and half-day tours place you in the communities where some of the state’s most notable writers — whether 19th century naturalists, poet laureates, authors of paranormal police thrillers, or affectionate observers of southern characters and humor have lived and worked.
Each tour, organized geographically (mountains or Piedmont), includes excerpts of the authors' writing as well as information about libraries, museums, colleges, bookstores and other public venues where writers present their work or are featured in exhibitions, events, performances and festivals.
Beautiful photographs, maps or videos featuring readings and interviews with N.C. writers are components of each tour. We encourage you to visit your local library or UNC Press for the complete guidebooks to Literary Trails of the North Carolina Mountains and Literary Trails of the North Carolina Piedmont. (Research on the third and final trail for eastern N.C. is already underway. Look for more details next year.)
Literary Trails is an exciting new way to see the places in N.C. that you’ve already visited and love!
Southern Mountains
Black Mountain, Montreat, Swannanoa
Canton, Cold Mountain, Lake Logan, Balsam
Sylva, Dillsboro, Cullowhee, Highlands
Franklin, Hayesville, Brasstown, Murphy, Texana
Robbinsville, Fontana, Almond, Nantahala Gorge
Bryson City, Cherokee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Waynesville, Hot Springs, Marshall, Mars Hill
Asheville
Brevard, Rosman, Green River, Zirconia, Flat Rock, Hendersonville
Northern Mountains
Burnsville, Micaville, Celo, Mount Mitchell
Old Fort, Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, Tryon
Rutherfordton, Spindale, Forest City, Shelby
Lincolnton, Hickory, Moravian Falls
Wilkesboro, Happy Valley, Blowing Rock, Linville Falls, Morganton
Marion, Little Switzerland, Spruce Pine, Penland, Bandana, Kona, Bakersville, Roan Mountain, Banner Elk
Grandfather Mountain, Crossnore, Valle Crucis, Vilas, Boone
Todd, West Jefferson, Jefferson, Crumpler, Sparta, Roaring Gap
Western Piedmont
Winston-Salem
Germanton, Danbury, Pilot Mountain, Mount Airy, Dobson, Rockford, Elkin
Mocksville, Cooleemee, Salisbury, Gold Hill
Statesville, Mooresville, Davidson, Huntersville, Concord
UNC Charlotte, NoDa, Brooklyn, Uptown Walking Tour
Charlotte Neighborhoods (Driving Tour)
Mount Holly, Belmont, Gastonia
Matthews, Monroe, Wingate, Marshville, Wadesboro, Rockingham, Hamlet
Norwood, Aquadale, Albemarle, Badin
Morrow Mountain, Troy, Star, Seagrove
Asheboro, Randleman, Lexington, Thomasville
Eastern Piedmont
High Point, Centre, Greensboro
Madison, Eden, Reidsville, Yanceyville, Milton, Roxboro
Hillsborough, Efland, Mebane
Graham, Burlington, Snow Camp, Silk Hope, Siler City, Pittsboro
Chapel Hill and Carrboro
Durham
Stagville and Oxford