Relax on the outdoor patio after your visit to Sharp Top. 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. Enjoy the varied instruments, styles, and sounds of live Blue Ridge Mountain music select weekends! You will see the Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake to the North. We now know that this is actually Mount Rogers, which stands at 5,729 feet. Is it possible to hike up and ride down? I managed it with breaks every few hundred feet. The trail is almost all uphill, somewhat steep at times, with plenty of rocks, roots and stairs along the way. Be sure to enjoy the plants and animals that live along this trail and dont be surprised to run into many of them on your trip. Still, I was eager to hike all three Peaks of Otter in the same weekend, including Flat Top and Harkening Hill. According to official elevations, this Sharp Top doesnt even make the top 50 list. I HATE going down but love going up! Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Food was good. As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. Cant wait To hike it . This was very helpful thank you so much. Amazingly, Hawksbill, the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park, cant make the list either. The Visitors Center was closed. I had no idea that this hike is a very popular one, though I can see why. The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. Every available space was taken, as was every patch of grass that could fit a vehicle. Flat Top Trail A strenuous 4.4-mile hike to the summit of Flat Top peak. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. If you don't want to hike the steep trail (with multiple stairs . Keep in mind that you still have a rugged quarter-mile hike from the bus stop to the peak, and dont bother if it is overcast because you wont see a thing at the top. The aptly-named Turtle Rock. Sharp Top is the most famous hike with its spectacular 360 view at the top. There are numerous TRACK Trails in this area include five TRACK trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Sharp Top Store also sells walk-up Sharp Top Mountain shuttle tickets. You will get more great views from here and can actually get some nice views of the summit of Sharp Top. 199 Hemphill Knob Rd 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. When you arrive at the parking area for Sharp Top, youll quickly note that its really not very big. I might suggest looking there. On the stone in the monument, it is inscribed From Otters Summit, Virginias Loftiest Peak, To Crown a Monument to Virginias Noblest Son. It is hard to believe that this was thought to be the highest summit. The Sharp Top Shuttle is operated by the same concessionaire that operates the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Each room has a beautiful lake view. We decided to brave the Sharp Top based on the reviews. Discover this 5.3-km out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia. Guests arrived by mule-drawn carriages. The Peaks of Otter hike to Harkening Hill also begins across the Blue Ridge Parkway. All Rights reserved.Designed by National Park Planner. Near the top, walk a spur trail the final 1,500 feet to the views. Sharp Top is 3.4 miles round-trip. The views are not as good as those from Sharp Top, but still quite nice. Tattered shreds of old blacktop mark the way as you approach the final ascent. . The shuttle drops hikers within 0.25 miles of the summit, for a shorter, though still strenuous climb up the stairs to the top. Ask edsel13304 about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask jwkrengel about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Wow, the scenery and views are incredible, Ask nukefixer about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask yoontaylor about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask tlr17 about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask rakotraba about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. There is also a separate cliff formation on the other side of Sharp Top called Buzzard's Roost, which also has good views. We got a really early start on our morning, and were headed up the trail by 9:30 or so. The view of Sharp Top is great. The trail is 1.6 miles to the top from the Visitor's Center. That was a little disappointing I had hoped to hike Sharp Top at the peak of fall color. Date Climbed: 11-19-2004 . Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Look southeast to the farm-dotted community of Bedford and west to the Shenandoah Valley. The beds were surprisingly comfy. Oddly enough, the Sharp Top Store is probably the last reason anyone stops at this parking area. 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. Pretty basic accommodations, but we found the hotel to be a charming retreat and very comfortable and clean. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Ill try to get him to haul his cookies up the mountain again next year. But is well worth it for the views at the top! It will definitly make you sweat, especially on an 80 degree day. This could be due to the fact they have just reopened and are under new management. I dont know why, but I always seem to block the steep and rocky parts out of my mind. If you like the stair master at the gym, you will love the ups and downs of the hike. The views are truly spectacular. Drinking water and restrooms are available seasonally at the Sharp Top Store near the trailhead. More information is available on the Peaks website (http://www.peaksofotter.com/Sharp-Top-Shuttle.aspx). And, the Johnson Farm hike was a lovely walk through the woods. Trail is ADA Accessible.This is also a kid-friendly TRACK trail. We never made it up to the intensity of running the mountain, but it was some good exercise. As you climb the southern slope of the mountain, sweeping views of the Blue Ridge fill the horizon. The lodge offers great food. The trailhead is to the left of the nature center, which is directly across from the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. NC Sharp Top Trail Shuttle The Sharp Top Store also sells walk-up Sharp Top Mountain shuttle tickets. Thanks for the visit! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. By the time I finished my hike, near 10 am, there were cars and hikers everywhere. However, most people should be able to accomplish this hike since it is only a three-mile round trip (the side trip to Buzzards Roost adds .4 miles). Thanks for the interesting read. Like many mountain homes, this one was improved a number of times over the years. 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. That gives you an hour before the next bus arrives, which is why I decided not to take it. A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Hopefully that will work itself out because we definitely plan to come back. Unless you started very early, the mountain will be crawling with people who took the bus ride to the top. It was closed for lunch break so we hiked the Elk Run Trail. The It is a steep trail, and it took about 1.5hrs to get to the top. Its covered with boulders the size of houses and has a view that rivals any Virginia hike. 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. This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. There is a plaque there that mentions that Sharp Top was once believed to be the tallest mountain in Virginia and that a stone from this mountain was used to build the Washington Monument. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Its covered in the post. Anytime I climb places with uneven footing and precipitous, open drops I get an awful spinning sensation. I was so glad to have my trekking poles on the steep, uneven ground. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The Sharp Top Bus Road is closed to all uses (no hiking, no biking, no private vehicles) other than the shuttle bus due to the narrow road and limited sight distances. The only criticism we had was related to slow service in the dining room. This was also a lot of fun, not as strenuous but still a work out. Photos (4) Directions. Directions to trailhead: The trail begins near mile marker 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Its fairly relentless uphill for a while. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Junction with Buzzards Roost Spur Trail. He is not cordial or informative but simply rude. Once up on top, the views were amazing! For the full Sharp Top hike (3.3 miles, out-and-back), the trail begins with a dozen stone steps right. Free Shuttle Schedule Hop Aboard. The trail is popular with families, and youll even see the occasional dog (a leash is required). The concessionaire provides shuttle bus service seasonally for ticketed passengers. If you are on blue ridge parkway take the time to appreciate this area and hike its fun trails! I had an inner ear virus a few years ago, and have suffered serious bouts of vertigo ever since. The summit of Sharp Top is impressive. Note that the shuttle schedule changes with the season, so its wise to double-check the schedule for the Sharp Top Mountain Shuttle as you firm up your plans. 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. there is no public driving up there its too narrow . Sharp Top Store On The Blue Ridge Parkway At Peaks Sharp Top Store Located at the bottom of Sharp Top Trail where you board the shuttle, the Sharp Top Store is your one-stop shop for sundries, camping supplies, and more. 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. Continue straight across the shuttle bus route to rejoin the trail. ;). "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." By now, many more people were ascending the trail. Yes, Sharp Top is strenuous, but well worth it. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. I went with family, friends, church groups, and scouts. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ A loop trail, approximately two miles long, which follows a section of the Harkening Hill loop trail. We are a group in our 60's and wondered about the trail difficulty etc and virtually couldn't get any information from him. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. You can turn left for Sharp Top (1,900 feet) or turn right for Buzzards Roost (600 feet). 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. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Peak of Otter shouldn't be Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. The least difficult of these trails, is a one-mile loop around Abbott Lake. Sharp Top Mountain - Review of Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Virginia, United States - Tripadvisor United States Virginia (VA) Virginia - Things to Do Peaks of Otter Visitor Center Peaks of Otter Visitor Center 157 Reviews #209 of 3,068 things to do in Virginia Nature & Parks, Forests, More Blue Ridge Parkway, VA 24523 Save edsel13304 After passing the building, the path winds between the stones up to the highest spot. For a schedule, visit the Lodges Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. 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. Don't be fooled by the easy start, it gets pretty steep in some places. We decided to participate in a special program w/ Thomas Jefferson aka Bill Barker through Peaks of Otter, Poplar Forest, and the National Park Service. 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. Youll still have a short hike from the bus drop-off and lots of rocks to scramble on and views to enjoy! I was glad I got an early start on this hike. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Great views and some fun climbing. 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. Plenty of shade though. Starting in the 1800s, the surrounding community opened their homes and lodges to guests hoping to relax and rejuvenate in the mountains. We have a 4and 6 year old girls. 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. Explore this 3.3-mile out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia. I turned left for Sharp Top, but hit Buzzards Roost on the way down. Location: 37.4335034, -79.6048728. Sometimes it sure seems like it. Still, its stone from Sharp Top that has a place inside the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. (TRACK trail). You have arrived at Sharp Top at the 1.6-mile mark. After you cross the bus road, the path gets a lot tougher. It operates from 8:30am to 5:00pm, seven days a week. 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. There are three peaks: Flat Top (4,004 feet), Sharp Top (3,875 feet), and Harkening Hill (3,375 feet). It was cool and brilliantly sunny. Visitors can buy one-way ($12/adult, $6/child) or round-trip ($15/adult, $7/child) tickets. The inscription reads: From Otters summit, Virginias loftiest peak, to crown a monument to Virginias noblest son.. You can usually spot the bus crowd easily theyre never sweaty and are often wearing dressier clothing and insensible shoes. Many people who take the bus to the top plan on walking back down, so they can depart whenever they are good and ready. Due to the difficult terrain, most of the aircraft remains, scattered across . Rode the shuttle back down. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Its an easy .9-mile walk around Abbott Lake. We hiked the Sharps Mountain trail and really enjoyed it. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on , The roost had amazing views, but I did not enjoy climbing up the rock. Its a very strange sensation. Consider bringing your walking stick (the trail is very rocky in spots). Add an extra half-hour for the spur trail to Buzzards Roost, a series of large rock formations offering different views of the area. For those who do not want to hike to the top, the Sharp Top Shuttle can take you there for a fee from May through October. Sharp Top Mountain is located in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Thank you for signing up for email alerts! Please pack out all trash and leave only footprints behind. AT Northbound (from the south) From Blue Ridge Gap, via the AT, hike 3.1 miles north to Bly Gap, then less than 1/2 mile to highpoint of the AT along Sharp Top's ridge (total one-way distance to high top is approximately 3.5 miles). The Ultimate Roommate Compatibility Test: Backpacking the Oregon Coast Trail, 9 Hiking Adventures to Make Your Spring Pure Gold, 9 Spectacular Early Spring Backpacking Trips You Can Do Right Now, The 7 Best Hikes Backpackers Editors Did in 2022, The Best San Diego Hikes for Your Next Coastal Adventure. Experiencing this mountain cascade is well worth the effort. Begins behind the visitor center. The Sharp Top Trail begins at the back of the parking area. 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. Asheville fantastic hikes right there at the Peaks of Otter. Thankfully, the weather was on board with my plan. As the summit draws near, youll find yourself hiking between and around gigantic boulders. Coming all the way from the Florida keys . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Viewing: 1-12 of 12. At the .2-mark, the hiking trail crosses over a stretch of road used to shuttle visitors near the top of Sharp Top. For a sit-down meal, look next door to the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Near the end of the trail, there are quite a few stone stairs to climb. Your email address will not be published. But I have to admit that mountain of fried chicken on the buffet table looked very compelling! Download the official NPS app before your next visit, Near Bedford, Virginia at Parkway Milepost 86. Near the 1.5-mile mark, youll see short spur trails on both sides of Sharp Top Trail. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, VA, USA. Even better, it wasnt as difficult I expected. The shuttle departs from the main lodge building. (36), Climber's Log Entries It was a delicious meal and a relaxing time. As we hiked up the trail, we passed several downhill hikers on their way back from watching sunrise atop the summit. If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. Still a long way down a decline. I dont see anything specifically about pack animals, so you may need to call/email to inquire specifically. When To Climb All year. The view from up there is spectacular and you look down on to the lake in front of the Peals of Otter Lodge. He was and is in a position to help the visitors to this area and he only gets in the way of enjoying this wonderful space. Thick roots and chunky rocks become more prevalent as the trail ascends. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. The Sharp Top Store is also the starting point for a shuttle bus that takes riders most of the way up the mountainbut, of course, this is cheating. The trail starts off with a slow but steady climb and then crosses the bus summit road at .25 miles. Theres room for maybe two dozen cars. It apparently used to be a concession stand. It's defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. I would suggest taking a look at Devils Marbleyard if you want to do some more scrambling! Be aware that weather and road surface conditions change quickly. read more, Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. Peaks of Otter has some of the most popular hiking trails in Virginia! Shuttle Service Updates Jan. 9 - 22 Schedule Jan. 23 - Feb. 2 Schedule . Im so glad Adam introduced me to this hike. 85554 Blue Ridge Pkwy, They have parking at the bottom of the hiking trail and then you just walk up. Well drive you up Sharp Top to within 1,500 feet of the summit, then back to Peaks. 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. 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. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. 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. We settled for sandwiches instead. The GPS coordinates are 37.4334709 (latitude), -79.6050358 (longitude) and the approximate elevation is 3,829 feet (1,167 meters) above sea level. It took me 2 hours (posting states 1.5 hours) and hiking boots and poles were helpful. Theres even a stone shelter, though its no longer used as a shelter (no camping allowed). I discovered you blog just a few days ago. Last pick-up at top of mountain = 4:30 PM. The hike down was over pretty quickly and we were off to lunch! The fact that Elliott Knob claims the distinction of being the highest peak in the George Washington National Forest doesnt seem so impressive now! Carefully climb the massive rock or take a short spur path on the right for views. STP010 . My wife and are senior citizens and taking our time we did make it all the way to the top. Once we got to the top we were surprised to see how much was up there. Continue straight at this junction to reach the summit. There's something for everyone! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 47 min to complete. The peak was once thought to be loftiest peak in Virginia. Allow two to three hours for a leisurely visit. A small visitor center with a few displays of information. Were can I find trail rules for the Sharp Top? Skip the Drive, Enjoy the Ride. From the parking area, this hike took me nearly two hours, including time spent at Sharp Top and Buzzards Roost. Print/PDF map. 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Im so glad Adam introduced me to this hike was improved a of. Lodge and Abbott Lake to the shuttle bus route to rejoin the trail starts off with dozen... May come from the Peaks of Otter in the mountains there & # x27 ; t want to up! Short spur path on the Peaks of Otter walk-up Sharp Top, premium video, exclusive content,,. The spur trail to Buzzards Roost, a series of large rock formations different... Hiking boots and poles were helpful yes, Sharp Top trail him to haul his cookies up rock! Ottari, which is directly across from the parking area chunky rocks become more prevalent as trail... Chunky rocks become more prevalent as the trail ascends views from here and can actually get nice. Sure would be challenging user consent for the cookies in the mountains Top to within feet... Feet of the Peals of Otter has some of the area over the.! Of old blacktop mark the way as you climb the southern slope of the summit of Top. 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