Burke County, NC
Spring is here and the adventures are waiting for you in Burke County! Enjoy spending time outdoors after a long winter of being cooped up inside by following streams, ridgelines or lakeshores to get to the perfect destination. Experience hiking in the cool weather, where the leaves are just beginning to bud and aren’t obstructing the beautiful surrounding views. There are hiking trails for every level of fitness. Come by the visitors center in Morganton, NC to find the best fit for you!
If hiking is not your thing, spend time in downtown Valdese, enjoying the eclectic shops and restaurants as well as the historical significance it plays in North Carolina history. Valdese is home to the Waldensians, a group of people that escaped religious persecution in Italy and came to Burke County over 100 years ago. They formed the town of Valdese (derived from the word Waldese) where many of their descendants still live and work. Here you will find the Waldensian Heritage Museum as well as the Trail of Faith, both of which display the journey of the Waldensians people from escaping persecution in Italy to their cultural significance in the industrial revolution here in North Carolina.
While in Burke County, check out the Catawba Valley Ale Trail, a collection of 13 different craft breweries spanning four counties in the Catawba River Valley region. These breweries all have amazing drinks and unique tasting rooms that reflect the culture of the area. Each brewery has their own style of beer and many have ciders and seltzers on tap to satisfy everyone in your group. Burke County is home to 5 breweries on the trail, Fonta Flora Brewery at Whippoorwill Farm, Fonta Flora Downtown Morganton, Catawba Brewing Company, Sidetracked Brewery, and the Levee in downtown Valdese. Learn more about this new trail at
www.catawbavalleyaletrail.com.
