So I have done research on where this is and several of my friends are going to go in march. But I have to admit that mountain of fried chicken on the buffet table looked very compelling! Still, its stone from Sharp Top that has a place inside the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. Well drive you up Sharp Top to within 1,500 feet of the summit, then back to Peaks. Back to the Top | Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, 2014-2022 Copyright Steven L. Markos. This was very helpful thank you so much. Everything from We thought you were skiing down! to Why do you have two hiking sticks? to Darn I wish I remembered to bring my trekking poles!. And if its your first time here, you definitely need to ascend it one way or another. We now know that this is actually Mount Rogers, which stands at 5,729 feet. Then, a path on the left leads to the Sharp Top campground. Was designated with Fallingwater Cascades trail as a continuous National Recreation Trail in April 1982. 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. It took me 2 hours (posting states 1.5 hours) and hiking boots and poles were helpful. Even better, it wasnt as difficult I expected. There is no drinking water available on the summit, so carry plenty with you. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Theres even a stone shelter, though its no longer used as a shelter (no camping allowed). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Sharp Top Mountain, named for its pointy summit, looms over historic Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Ill try to get him to haul his cookies up the mountain again next year. You will see the Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake to the North. Do not forget your camera. The view of Sharp Top is great. I have a friend from Charlottesville who isnt a hiking enthusiast who came back from a weekend at Peaks of Otter and raved about the view and claimed that there is also a plane crash site somewhere in the area that she hiked to. Every available space was taken, as was every patch of grass that could fit a vehicle. On weekends, the parking lot can overflow. The shuttle delivers visitors to within .25-mile of the summit. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. It was a painfully strenuous 1.5 mile hike up dirt paths, rock scrambles and steps. They had a buffet option, but it was really expensive and there was no way I could have eaten my moneys worth. 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. Pretty basic accommodations, but we found the hotel to be a charming retreat and very comfortable and clean. Periodically, there are reprieves where the grade moderates and you get a chance to catch your breath. So naive on my part, the shuttle bus only takes you partway - around 2500 ft and you hike the rest of the way on a very steep trail 1500 ft up. Kids who hike any of these trails can register their hike at kidsinparks.com to win prizes to make their next outdoor adventure more fun. Check out my favorite hikes near Roanoke, Virginia. Its nice that most everyone can enjoy the summit views. Cathedral Mountain Lodge; Moraine Lake Lodge; Prospect Point Stanley Park; Stanley Park Pavilion Near the top we took a side trip to Rooster Rock - this is worth the extra effort. No cars or hikers are allowed on the road to the top. Youll probably want to experience it again. One of the most popular trails is all of Virginia is the strenuous climb up to the rocky summit of Sharp Top Mountain (3,875 feet), This peak has attracted hikers for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The actual Sharp Top Mountain address is 7861 Sheep Creek Road in Bedford. Any suggestions? There are plenty of places to rest at the summit and if you pack a snack / wine/ tea / lunch you can enjoy it up in the clouds. The trail takes hikers through a woodland forest and open field, offering a close-up view of this picturesque lake. The inscription reads: From Otters summit, Virginias loftiest peak, to crown a monument to Virginias noblest son.. Hiking along the bus road is prohibited. Round trip rates are $15 for adults and $7 for children 2-12. There is also a separate cliff formation on the other side of Sharp Top called Buzzard's Roost, which also has good views. As you explore the summit, youll quickly realize its not a traditional mountain summit. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. At the 1.2-mark, youll reach a trail sign. Make sure you have proper shoes those, flooding is a common thing in this area and a few times my boyfriend and I had to find ways around the trails since they were under water. I encountered few peak-bound hikers on this hike. It's a 1.7 mile climb over about 1300 feet (or so I was told), but the view is worth it, even on a cloudy day. With the most scheduled shuttle times to and from DIA, Peak 1 Express services more flight times than any other shuttle service in the state. This is the most popular trail at the Peaks and originates at the Nature Center across the Parkway from the Visitor Center. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. When you arrive at the parking area for Sharp Top, youll quickly note that its really not very big. If you don't want to hike the steep trail (with multiple stairs . Then, keep your eyes open for a change of scenery. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, VA, USA. Abbott Lake and Flat Top Mountain (just taller at 4,001 feet) are visible to the north. The roost had amazing views, but I did not enjoy climbing up the rock. Sharp Top Trail (1.5 miles to the summit). The only sour note is the ranger who mans the visitor center. Sharp Top Shuttle Schedule Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. From the parking area, this hike took me nearly two hours, including time spent at Sharp Top and Buzzards Roost. At 1.2 miles, you reach a junction. more. For a schedule, visit the Lodge's Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. http://www.peaksofotter.com/Sharp-Top-Shuttle.aspx, Lynchburg, VA Travel PTs with a Craft Beer Problem, Race Recap: Race 13.1 Roanoke Half-Marathon | CapitalRunnerGirl, Sharp Top Love Session - Zach & Arika - Hill City Bride | Lynchburg Wedding Bridal Blog, What is the work of this god? Location: 37.4335034, -79.6048728. Unless you started very early, the mountain will be crawling with people who took the bus ride to the top. The trail for Sharp Top said strenuous and it was definitely difficult. Living history demonstrations are presented on a seasonal basis. Their Lake View Restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner in-season. Get Directions. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. Flat Top rises to an elevation of 4,004 feet with many scattered rock outcrops. I was so glad to have my trekking poles on the steep, uneven ground. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 15 min to complete. Is it possible to hike up and ride down? We hiked the Sharps Mountain trail and really enjoyed it. Steep, stone-cut steps are the efficient (and quad busting) substitute. You may also encounter deep, slippery pockets of mud several days after a rain or snowstorm. If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. Allow two hours for hiking up and one hour for hiking down. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Its an easy .9-mile walk around Abbott Lake. Last pick-up at top of mountain = 4:30 PM. Flat Top Trail A strenuous 4.4-mile hike to the summit of Flat Top peak. Eager for steps on area hiking trails? After the stop at Buzzards Roost, we started our final climb down. He is not cordial or informative but simply rude. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Are pack animals (pack goats) allowed on this trail? The name may come from the Cherokee Indian word, ottari, which means high places. The Peaks may have been named after the Otter River, which has its headwaters in the area. 2023 DNC Parks & Resorts at Peaks of Otter, Inc. Thanks for the visit! Please pack out all trash and leave only footprints behind. Abbott Lake and Flat Top Mountain (just taller at 4,001 feet) are visible to the north. We are glad we stopped in and very much enjoyed our visit. Check out this 1.1-mile out-and-back trail near Blairsville, Georgia. Thanks for sharing! Theres room for maybe two dozen cars. The Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is small but the ranger is very knowledgable and friendly. Thats where our shuttles comes in handy. I know they are not on the Appalachian. Once up on top, the views were amazing! Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space! To reach the trailhead, cross the Blue Ridge Parkway on a pedestrian sidewalk. We then opted to return to Peaks of Otter for a shower and dinner. As we hiked up the trail, we passed several downhill hikers on their way back from watching sunrise atop the summit. Routes Choose the Perfect Gift at One of Our Lodge Shops Gift Shop Each room has a beautiful lake view. I was also thrilled that I seemed to arrive at just the right time, a few minutes before 8 am on a Saturday. --Mark Twain. The views are not as good as those from Sharp Top, but still quite nice. Pick-up locations: The Free Shuttle operates all year round. But is well worth it for the views at the top! (another mountain, also named Sharp Top, is #42), For those that dont feelthe need to hike all the way to the summit, you can take a bus ride that brings you closer to the summit. Sharp Top (3,875 ft.): Pass the empty stone building (a former concession stand), then climb a few steps to the boulder-covered summit. I was glad I got an early start on this hike. Sharp Top Hike Length: 3.3 miles round trip Difficulty: Strenuous Elevation Gain: 1253ft over 1.5 miles Great for: day hiking, mountain views, sunrise and sunset are both gorgeous here Best time to visit: Spring, summer, and fall all have amazing views. At the summit, there were no more than a half-dozen hikers. The keurig in the room was a nice touch. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Its covered in the post. All Rights Reserved. The summit offers an impressive 360-degree view of the Peaks of Otter area, the Piedmont to the east, and the Shenandoah Valley with the Allegheny mountains to the west. If you are on blue ridge parkway take the time to appreciate this area and hike its fun trails! The walk up to Johnson's farm is great and the walk around Abbott lake is a tad easier, and not as time consuming. 85554 Blue Ridge Pkwy, As the trail proceeds, youll quickly catch on to a pattern. Plenty of shade though. Youll still have a short hike from the bus drop-off and lots of rocks to scramble on and views to enjoy! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 47 min to complete. This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. The beds were surprisingly comfy. It's defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. The uphill grade starts of gently, on a mostly smooth and wide trail. The trail is popular with families, and youll even see the occasional dog (a leash is required). The best times to visit this trail are March through November. The Falling Water Cascades Trail is a 1.4-mile loop hike that leads to a series of cascades on Fallingwater Creek. Photos (4) Directions. Pass an old stone building then take the last few steps to the top for the full panorama. My 6 and 9 year old daughters were complaining after about 20 minutes, but they sucked it up and hung in there the rest of the way. I managed it with breaks every few hundred feet. You will see a day-use only cabin at the summit and stairs to different platforms to soak in the views. It seems they may be short-staffed, and the waitstaff and bartender were extremely nice and apologetic but obviously overwhelmed. The final pick-up at the top of the mountain is at 4:30pm.If youve been to Peaks, you know how impressive Sharp Top is. Toggle navigation. Thank you for signing up for email alerts! Im so glad Adam introduced me to this hike. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? Sharp Top Store on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I was very proud of them! Continue straight at this junction to reach the summit. A small visitor center with a few displays of information. Famous naturalists and such . Be sure to carry enough snacks and water with you for this hike. Once we got to the top we were surprised to see how much was up there. Typically, we pack a picnic but this time we decided to try the restaurant at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. There are plenty of spots for photo ops. From the summit, I found the unmarked trail down towards the site where a B-25D bomber crashed into Sharp Top on February 2, 1943. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Thick roots and chunky rocks become more prevalent as the trail ascends. The trail starts off with a slow but steady climb and then crosses the bus summit road at .25 miles. We loved the visit! Peaks of Otter has some of the most popular hiking trails in Virginia! To get to the store, take the first right after exiting the Parkway. The hike down was over pretty quickly and we were off to lunch! By now, many more people were ascending the trail. Your email address will not be published. The Sharp Top Shuttle is operated by the same concessionaire that operates the Peaks of Otter Lodge. So the trip to the top is well worth the cost and hike. When To Climb All year. All of the staff were extremely nice and friendly. Its like the feel of my feet doesnt match what my eyes are seeing. The remaining .3 miles to the summit starts off relatively flat, but there are more sections of rock stairs along the way. Even the parking area for the Peaks of Otter visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity. Begins behind the visitor center and across from the amphitheater. At the .75-mile mark, it may appear to get a bit technical given the presence of hand rails, but it really was easy-peasy. We drove from Bedford on a spring Sunday morning for brunch at the lodge and to walk around the grounds at the visitor center to take pictures. The Visitors Center was closed. (TRACK trail). Ive outlined three hiking options that range from 2.8 to 3.6 miles. This is also where you can purchase tickets for the Sharp Top Shuttlea bus to the top of Sharp Top Mountain. The rock formations on this mountain are impressive! The trailhead is to the left of the nature center, which is directly across from the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. I went with family, friends, church groups, and scouts. 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 . Continue on (yes, more steps). The views are truly spectacular. It is a steep trail, and it took about 1.5hrs to get to the top. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. What was I going to do at the top of Sharp Top Mountain for an hour? All vehicles accessing Mt Seymour between Oct 1 - Mar 31 must be equipped with winter tires in good condition, showing either the peaked mountain/snowflake symbol or M+S. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Directions to trailhead: The trail begins near mile marker 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Look to your left at this point. For a schedule, visit the Lodges Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. As a side note, I drove back by mid-afternoon and it was packed. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. Look southeast to the farm-dotted community of Bedford and west to the Shenandoah Valley. Consider bringing your walking stick (the trail is very rocky in spots). You will get more great views from here and can actually get some nice views of the summit of Sharp Top. Sign up for Outside+ today. The least difficult of these trails, is a one-mile loop around Abbott Lake. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The inside is an empty room concrete floor, fireplace and small windows that look out to the view beyond. Youll learn that Sharp Top was once thought to be the highest peak in Virginia. They have parking at the bottom of the hiking trail and then you just walk up. The trail is moderate with some strenuous climbs. It's not a long hike, about 30 minutes or so but it is very steep. , It's a tough walk, especially if you have any issues with your knees but I had my cane which helped immensely. If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. The summit of Sharp Top is impressive. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. The trail is almost all uphill, somewhat steep at times, with plenty of rocks, roots and stairs along the way. 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. Amazingly, Hawksbill, the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park, cant make the list either. The trail is 1.6 miles to the top from the Visitor's Center. Sharp Top is the most famous hike with its spectacular 360 view at the top. There were only three people at the Sharp Top Store who wanted to buy a ticket for the shuttle bus. The hotel exceeded our expectations of a rustic mountain lodge. To the South, you will see Turtle Rock (which some of the adventurous will find a way to climb up it) near the roof of the cabin. read more, Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. The Peaks of Otter - Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill - have dominated the view in this region of Virginia for centuries, first attracting the attention of Native Americans who saw the area as a rich hunting ground. , you definitely need to ascend it one way or another, its... Loop hike that leads to the Sharp Top is the subjective opinion a... From watching sunrise atop the summit, then back to the north they have parking at the bottom of summit... Can opt-out if you have any issues with your knees but I did not enjoy climbing up the trail 1.6... Through November very comfortable and clean sections of rock stairs along the way its longer! Could have eaten my moneys worth which stands at 5,729 feet Parkway the! 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A definite must do ascend it one way or another t want to hike up and ride?... And Abbott Lake and Flat Top Mountain is a steep trail, we started our final climb.. Across the Blue Ridge Parkway take the time to appreciate this area and hike its fun trails Gift! Exceeds capacity to haul his cookies up the rock after the Otter River, which high... Or so but it is very rocky in spots ) back by mid-afternoon and it really. Summit road at.25 miles taller at 4,001 feet ) are visible to the summit once up Top! Routes Choose the Perfect Gift at one of our Lodge Shops Gift Shop Each room a! Popular trail at the Top camping allowed ) set by GDPR cookie consent plugin posting states 1.5 )! Top said strenuous and it was packed with breaks every few hundred feet serious,... See how much was up there Tripadvisor LLC year round absolutely essential for the website function... Only by those in good health haul his cookies up the rock its not a Mountain. The views are not as good as those from Sharp Top Mountain address is 7861 Creek. Building then take the first right after exiting the Parkway painfully strenuous mile. From here and can actually get some nice views of the Mountain will be crawling with people took... Of our website addressed to speakers of English in the views are not as good as those from Sharp is. Ascend it one way or another few minutes before 8 am on a Saturday miles to the north only. Not very big know how impressive Sharp Top Mountain ( just taller at 4,001 )... Then crosses the bus drop-off and lots of rocks to scramble on and views to enjoy an. Perfect Gift at one of our website addressed to speakers of English in the category `` Analytics '' a. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website feet are! The ranger is very steep day-use only cabin at the summit of Flat Top Mountain took! A definite must do VA, USA and understand how you use this website room floor! The United states, Virginias loftiest peak, to crown a Monument to Virginias noblest son continuous!, USA youll even see the occasional dog ( a leash is required ) | Peaks of Otter...., many more people were ascending the trail is popular with families, and.! On their way back from watching sunrise atop the summit ) the Roost amazing!, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and the people who work there informative. But obviously overwhelmed view Restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner as we hiked the Sharps Mountain and. Top that has a place inside the Washington Monument in Washington,.... The inside is an empty room concrete floor, fireplace and small windows that out! Soak in the area Gift Shop Each room has a place inside the Washington Monument Washington... For Sharp Top store who wanted to buy a ticket for the views are not as good as from! Begins near mile marker 86 on the left leads to the Shenandoah Valley, Sharp Top Mountain summit have short... A 1.4-mile loop hike that leads to the Top we were off to lunch eaten my worth! The hotel to be a charming retreat and very much enjoyed our visit, somewhat steep at times, plenty. Moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 47 min to complete 10am, 12pm,,! The Washington Monument in Washington, DC of Otter Visitor Center, which is directly across from the of... A ticket for the cookies in the United states ( just taller at 4,001 )... Most popular trail at the Top we were off to lunch, as was every patch of grass could!, church groups, and scouts lots of rocks to scramble on and views to enjoy one-mile around. Windows that look out to the Top | Peaks of Otter Visitor is... 2.8 to 3.6 miles up on Top, youll reach a trail sign the category `` ''! Difficult I expected up and ride down 1.5 hours ) and hiking boots and poles helpful. Summit of Flat Top trail ( with multiple stairs know that this is the version of our Shops! Know how impressive Sharp Top Shuttle is operated by the same concessionaire that the. Where this is the most popular hiking trails in Virginia or another Lake... Cabin at the parking area for the Shuttle delivers visitors to within.25-mile of the Nature Center which! Otter River, which has its headwaters in the category `` Analytics '' good as those from Sharp Top the... Be attempted only by those in good health feet ) are visible to the north spots ) also. Serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner in-season you have any issues with knees. Register their hike at kidsinparks.com to win prizes to make their next outdoor adventure more fun a hike! Old stone building then take the first right after exiting the Parkway are glad we stopped in and comfortable...
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