Located in Surry County, NC, The Surry Sonker Trail is a shop/ eaterie trail that takes visitors through Surry County, NC to some of the most well-known locations where people can purchase North Carolina’s Southern delicacy: its famous sonker pie. Many who have tried a sonker pie describe a sonker as resembling a typical cobbler, however, they often tend to have a more liquidy and juicy interior than a typical cobbler. The presence of Sonker in this county dates back to the early 1700s when Scottish and Scotch-Irish immigrants began settling in the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina, and Surry County was officially formed in 1771. However, although the tradition of Sonker has existed for generations, it wasn’t until January 2015 that the Surry Sonker Trail was officially established.
Moreover, each year on the first Saturday in October, the town holds a Surry Sonker Festival where stores all over the town showcase their delicacies. People travel from all over the country to taste these delicacies. This festival has been a tradition since October of 1980 and it is a crucial part of the town’s productivity and livelihood. The town of Mount Airy has been in multiple magazine editorials in food reviews.
The trail takes visitors through eight eateries including two bakeries, a chocolate confectionery, a general store, a winery restaurant, a social house, a casual American restaurant/bar, and a restaurant featuring upscale Southern comfort food. While many of the trail locations are located within 500 feet of each other, trail locations are all within 40 minutes of each other in the following towns: Elkin, Mount Airy, Dobson, and the Village of Rockford. Thus, it is a very accessible route for visitors and locals alike.
--Lauren Jablon