The trailhead is to the left of the nature center, which is directly across from the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. Finally, Scottish settlers may have named the Peaks after Ben Otter, a mountain in their homeland that resembles Sharp Top.. If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. Do not forget your camera. We loved the visit! All over the summit, there are small alcoves and large rocks to perch upon to take in the view. We settled for sandwiches instead. Thanks for the interesting read. It will definitly make you sweat, especially on an 80 degree day. Consider bringing your walking stick (the trail is very rocky in spots). From the summit, peakbaggers enjoy a stunning 360-degree view that sweeps across the farm-dotted eastern lowlands to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the western Shenandoah Valley. There is also a separate cliff formation on the other side of Sharp Top called Buzzard's Roost, which also has good views. Steps ascend from parking lot and nature center. The Sharp Top Trail is located on the south side, while the visitor center is on the north side. Periodically, there are reprieves where the grade moderates and you get a chance to catch your breath. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Continue straight across the shuttle bus route to rejoin the trail. You have arrived at Sharp Top at the 1.6-mile mark. According to a sign near the summit, the boulders formed after diorite rock split apart along weather-weakened seams. The views are truly spectacular. These are the paths leading up from the Sharp Top mountain bus stop. Some stone steps, then a stretch of hiking trail, then more stone steps. The summit of Sharp Top is impressive. 28803, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. When you reach the junction .3 miles from the summit, I would highly recommend adding .2 miles (.4 miles round trip) to check out Buzzards Roost. By now, many more people were ascending the trail. He is not cordial or informative but simply rude. But needless to say youll never find me doing any serious rock climbing! Sharp Top Trail A strenuous 1.5-mile hike to the summit of Sharp Top that rewards hikers with a spectacular 360-degree view of the Peaks of Otter area. (36), Climber's Log Entries For some reason, this was the first time Ive taken the option. For some reason, this is always the only part of the Sharp Top trail I remember. The only criticism we had was related to slow service in the dining room. Hikers seem to enjoy quietly referring to the bus riders as cheaters. The shuttle is a good option for those either not interested or not able to hike all the way to the top. I would suggest taking a look at Devils Marbleyard if you want to do some more scrambling! Although this was later proved inaccurate by the 5,729-foot Mount Rogers, Sharp Top still reigns supreme when it comes to views. This woodland trail climbs to a ridge where distant views are rewarding. Im glad someone thought better of the idea and closed the place down do we really need hot dogs and ice cream for sale on mountain summits? Tags blue ridge parkway mountains scenic view The trail is almost all uphill, somewhat steep at times, with plenty of rocks, roots and stairs along the way. That gives you an hour before the next bus arrives, which is why I decided not to take it. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Allow two to three hours for a leisurely visit. Here are trail regulations. Living history demonstrations are presented on a seasonal basis. Even the parking area for the Peaks of Otter visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity. The Visitor Center was closed when we were there but we really came for the hike anyway. Back to the Top | Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, 2014-2022 Copyright Steven L. Markos. Sharp Top Mountain looms large in the Peaks of Otter landscape in more ways than one. Free Shuttle Schedule Hop Aboard. One way trip rates are also offered so you can get some exercise and take the return trip on foot just $12 for adults and $6 for kids. I encountered few peak-bound hikers on this hike. The shuttle runs from 8:30 am to 5 pm and departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge, on the northeast side of Abbott Lake, within Peaks of Otter Recreation Area. The trailhead is located at Mile Post 83.1 (Fallingwater Cascades Trail Parking Area), which is three miles north of the other trails at Peaks of Otter. We're all about skipping the drive, and enjoying the ride when it comes to skiing at Mount Washington. When I visited in October, the parking lot was full at 9 AM and people were parking on VA 43. I managed it with breaks every few hundred feet. Directions to trailhead: The trail begins near mile marker 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The one downside to Sharp Top is the crowd of people youll be almost guaranteed to see. If you like the stair master at the gym, you will love the ups and downs of the hike. Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. There are numerous TRACK Trails in this area include five TRACK trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The only sour note is the ranger who mans the visitor center. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Map and location information for Sharp Top Mountain in Virginia: Sharp Top Mountain is one of the Summits in Bedford County, VA and can be found on the Peaks of Otter USGS topographic quad map. The hostess had to pitch in to help serve us. there is no public driving up there its too narrow . My wife and visit this area quite often. Even better, you are welcomed by a large Sharp Top Mountain sign. For a short paved walk, look next door to Peaks of Otter Lodge. Begins behind the visitor center. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on I understand that people dont want this to be known to the public but if someone could e-mail this info to me at ml18tcs@yahoo.com I would appreciate it. To reach the trailhead, cross the Blue Ridge Parkway on a pedestrian sidewalk. The trailhead is next to the Sharp Top Store, a small camp store that sells snacks, supplies and souvenirs. Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space! Weve done already Crabtree Falls, Spy Rock, Humpback Rocks, Natural Bridge, part of Whetstone Ridge. As expected, the views are spectacular and it was such a sense of accomplishment to complete. Cant wait To hike it . The least difficult of these trails, is a one-mile loop around Abbott Lake. The hike down was over pretty quickly and we were off to lunch! Trail runners are common on Sharp Top most mornings. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The Falling Water Cascades Trail is a 1.4-mile loop hike that leads to a series of cascades on Fallingwater Creek. Experiencing this mountain cascade is well worth the effort. Flat Top Trail A strenuous 4.4-mile hike to the summit of Flat Top peak. If youre short on time or just looking for a nice and easy way to reach the local trailheads, the Sharp Top Shuttle is just the ticket. The Peaks of Otter hike to Harkening Hill also begins across the Blue Ridge Parkway. Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Length 1.1 miElevation gain 452 ftRoute type Out & back. As you pass through a boulder field, look ahead for a rocky outcropping known as Buzzards Roost (whose overlook is reached by a short spur trail 1.3 miles from the trailhead). For example, the A parking lot that can hold two dozen cars seems quite large, but given 5x to 10x that number would also like to park for this hike, its not so big after all. Sharp Top Trail (1.5 miles to the summit) This is the most popular trail at the Peaks and originates at the Nature Center across the Parkway from the Visitor Center. I was very proud of them! Sharp Top Mountain, named for its pointy summit, looms over historic Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake. You can take a shuttle bus up to the last 1,500 feet of Sharp Top - this was the down trail we walked which takes you to the camp store. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. It is a moderately strenuous trail and is self-guiding with written displays describing the forest community. Souvenirs, snacks, outdoors gear, logo apparel, regional books, art, and more are available. Shuttle Service Updates Jan. 9 - 22 Schedule Jan. 23 - Feb. 2 Schedule . And, the Johnson Farm hike was a lovely walk through the woods. It is clear of trees giving hikers a rewarding 360 view of the surrounding Blue Ridge. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Flat Top rises to an elevation of 4,004 feet with many scattered rock outcrops. The Pinnacle and Cross Rock are names given to such formations. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. It was closed for lunch break so we hiked the Elk Run Trail. My friend had said he wanted to try and be in that good of shape, so we took weekly hikes up during one summer. Ask Sue M about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask Vicky W about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask misskitty20004 about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask Nikzleez about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask 802jenniferp about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. The Washington Monument, completed in 1884, contains an engraved stone block recognizing 3,875-foot Sharp Top Mountain as Virginias highest peak. STP010 . This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Explore this 3.3-mile out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia. Tattered shreds of old blacktop mark the way as you approach the final ascent. Typically, we pack a picnic but this time we decided to try the restaurant at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. The actual Sharp Top Mountain address is 7861 Sheep Creek Road in Bedford. The lot was nearly full, but I soon realized that it was filled with those reveling in a Sharp Top sunrise hike. Eager for steps on area hiking trails? Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. I dont see anything specifically about pack animals, so you may need to call/email to inquire specifically. For an optional detour (and overlook), follow the signed spur trail for about 600 feet to Buzzards Roost. I went with family, friends, church groups, and scouts. The trail takes hikers through a woodland forest and open field, offering a close-up view of this picturesque lake. Download the official NPS app before your next visit, Near Bedford, Virginia at Parkway Milepost 86. Allow two hours for hiking up and one hour for hiking down. For a schedule, visit the Lodges Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. Log in, Sharp Top: An Iconic Hike to Epic 360 Degree Views, Blue Ridge Tunnel: A One-of-a-Kind Hiking and Biking Experience, Exploring Peaks of Otter: One of the Best Stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway . The view from up there is spectacular and you look down on to the lake in front of the Peals of Otter Lodge. Sharp Top Store on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sharp Top is a popular hiking destination off the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Peaks of Otter recreation area. Every available space was taken, as was every patch of grass that could fit a vehicle. Sometimes I start to panic, but Ive found that if I stay low to the ground and go very slow, I can always manage to get where I want to go. Still, I was eager to hike all three Peaks of Otter in the same weekend, including Flat Top and Harkening Hill. 85554 Blue Ridge Pkwy, This 1.5 mile trail ascends 1,300 vertical feet through the forests on Sharp Top Mountain to spectacular 360 views of the Peaks of Otter and surrounding landscape. Even though it was the second weekend of October, the leaves were still mostly green. Guests arrived by mule-drawn carriages. Its fairly relentless uphill for a while. Kelly J. Mihalcoe photo Visitors to Peaks of Otter follow a long-standing tradition of tourism. On the way down, Adam and I took the side trail to visit the Buzzards Roost. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. The peak was once thought to be loftiest peak in Virginia. For the full Sharp Top hike (3.3 miles, out-and-back), the trail begins with a dozen stone steps right. Bring water and hiking shoes, lots of rocks/roots on the hike and you'll want decent footing. I was surprised so many people had never seen trekking poles before, but I suppose Sharp Top has a very high percentage of people who arent regular hikers. Beginning at the north end of the visitor center parking area, the trail leads 1.1 miles to the Johnson Farm, originally built in the 1850s. The remaining .3 miles to the summit starts off relatively flat, but there are more sections of rock stairs along the way. Once you leave the Roost, go back to the junction and take a left down the trail to make your way back to the car. Gorgeous views of the Peaks of Otter and great hike to the top. They had a buffet option, but it was really expensive and there was no way I could have eaten my moneys worth. Near the top, walk a spur trail the final 1,500 feet to the views. Turn left to continue to the summit of Sharp Top. Almost immediately upon reaching the summit, youll pass the cabin. The GPS coordinates are 37.4334709 (latitude), -79.6050358 (longitude) and the approximate elevation is 3,829 feet (1,167 meters) above sea level. Moderate 4.4 (6) Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. I was also thrilled that I seemed to arrive at just the right time, a few minutes before 8 am on a Saturday. Once up on top, the views were amazing! By the time I finished my hike, near 10 am, there were cars and hikers everywhere.
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