From here, I re-traced my steps back to the parking area. 85554 Blue Ridge Pkwy, 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. Tattered shreds of old blacktop mark the way as you approach the final ascent. Hikers seem to enjoy quietly referring to the bus riders as cheaters. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. There are three peaks: Flat Top (4,004 feet), Sharp Top (3,875 feet), and Harkening Hill (3,375 feet). This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Go back the way you came. Is it possible to hike up and ride down? A peak's prominence, also known as topographic prominence or relative height, is a measure of how distinct a peak is from other peaks. 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 the parking area for the Peaks of Otter visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity. The Visitors Center was closed. Periodically, there are reprieves where the grade moderates and you get a chance to catch your breath. The inside is an empty room concrete floor, fireplace and small windows that look out to the view beyond. We loved the visit! As the summit draws near, youll find yourself hiking between and around gigantic boulders. Its a very strange sensation. 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. Sharp Top Mountain Trail (1 ), Bluff Mountain (and Alligator Back Cliffs). When To Climb All year. To reach the trailhead, cross the Blue Ridge Parkway on a pedestrian sidewalk. The shuttle departs from the main lodge building. Harkening Hill Trail The Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is small but the ranger is very knowledgable and friendly. 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. So many upwards hikers commented on them! 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. The remaining .3 miles to the summit starts off relatively flat, but there are more sections of rock stairs along the way. Sharp Top can be accessed from the north or the south along the Appalachian Trail. For a leisurely walk, allow one hour. Sharp Top Trail (1.5 miles to the summit). Continue left on the trail to the summit. "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." 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. Eager for steps on area hiking trails? The trail is moderate with some strenuous climbs. Then, keep your eyes open for a change of scenery. Pretty basic accommodations, but we found the hotel to be a charming retreat and very comfortable and clean. It was a delicious meal and a relaxing time. Ive outlined three hiking options that range from 2.8 to 3.6 miles. And, the Johnson Farm hike was a lovely walk through the woods. If your kids are fit and active, they may be able to do the entire hike. Plenty of shade though. Across the road from the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is Virginia 43, a turn off from the Blue Ridge Parkway that leads to the Sharp Top Store, the Peaks of Otter Campground, and the Peaks of Otter Picnic Area. Get Directions. Sharp Top Mountain, named for its pointy summit, looms over historic Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake. Breathtaking views from Sharp Top--pretty strenuous hike, but our 4 yr old made it (with a 2hr nap afterward! Hiking around the lake, creeks, hills, mountains and all was incredible! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Fallingwater Cascades Trail the other segment of the National Recreation Trail, is a loop trail which takes hikers along cascades on Fallingwater Creek with its huge rock outcrops clothed in rhododendron and large hemlocks. Here are trail regulations. Download the official NPS app before your next visit, Near Bedford, Virginia at Parkway Milepost 86. 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. Thick roots and chunky rocks become more prevalent as the trail ascends. Check out this 1.1-mile out-and-back trail near Blairsville, Georgia. Im so glad Adam introduced me to this hike. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? Sharp Top has such a special place in my heart. Finally, Scottish settlers may have named the Peaks after Ben Otter, a mountain in their homeland that resembles Sharp Top.. Red Tape There is no red tape of which I'm aware. But, you can also consider the bus ride to the top. The You will see a day-use only cabin at the summit and stairs to different platforms to soak in the views. As I mentioned above, there are a lot of great places nearby for a picnic or you can dine at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. http://www.wp21.com/b25crash/, View Sharp Top Mountain Image Gallery - 36 Images. 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. Sharp Top Store on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 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. The easy-to-follow path winds overand sometimes throughroots, rocks, and felled trees. Ive brought my older brother a few times over the last few years. The views are truly spectacular. After lunch, we walked along the water and did a bit of people watching. Its fairly relentless uphill for a while. You start up the trail near the nature center. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. read more. The stone was even inscribed to honor George Washington. Near the top we took a side trip to Rooster Rock - this is worth the extra effort. 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. Once we got to the top we were surprised to see how much was up there. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. 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. As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. Skip the Drive, Enjoy the Ride. 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. (36), Climber's Log Entries Look southeast to the farm-dotted community of Bedford and west to the Shenandoah Valley. The Sharp Top Shuttle is operated by the same concessionaire that operates the Peaks of Otter Lodge. We hiked the peaks of otter and loved every moment of it. Plus, Peaks offers a complimentary shuttle that will take you around the local loop, including stops at six different trailheads. Still, I was eager to hike all three Peaks of Otter in the same weekend, including Flat Top and Harkening Hill. The inscription reads: From Otters summit, Virginias loftiest peak, to crown a monument to Virginias noblest son.. On the stone in the monument, it is inscribed "From Otter's Summit, Virginia's Loftiest Peak, To Crown a Monument to Virginia's Noblest Son." Was designated with Fallingwater Cascades trail as a continuous National Recreation Trail in April 1982. Peak of Otter shouldn't be Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. Begins behind the visitor center. 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. (15), Additions & Corrections 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. Check out my favorite hikes near Roanoke, Virginia. You have arrived at Sharp Top at the 1.6-mile mark. Great views and some fun climbing. I believe waymarking.com has the precise coordinates. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 15 min to complete. You will get more great views from here and can actually get some nice views of the summit of Sharp Top. We are visiting VA for three weeks staying in Vesuvius. The trailhead is next to the Sharp Top Store, a small camp store that sells snacks, supplies and souvenirs. Enjoy the varied instruments, styles, and sounds of live Blue Ridge Mountain music select weekends! The Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is small but the ranger is very knowledgable and friendly. Stop by to pick up ready-to-eat foods, snacks, bottled water, and more. Sharp Top Mountain is located in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. My wife and visit this area quite often. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. Hiking along the bus road is prohibited. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. But I have to admit that mountain of fried chicken on the buffet table looked very compelling! This website uses cookies to improve your experience. It's a tough walk, especially if you have any issues with your knees but I had my cane which helped immensely. Each year, he seems proud to know that he can still climb up that hill. He was working the day we hiked it this year, so he didnt get to make the trip. It has almost every kind of terrain and some parts are easy and some parts of very difficult. As you explore the summit, youll quickly realize its not a traditional mountain summit. Dinner at the lodge and a walk around the grounds for photographs. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. I even saw (allegedly) an otter swimming across the lake. This is an extremely popular hike for families and larger groups, but it definitely has some steep sections. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. The rock formations on this mountain are impressive! While I personally dont think it is that difficult, I can understand some people feeling that way. We hiked the Sharps Mountain trail and really enjoyed it. Whether you need a lift, traveling with a large group, or simply don't want to drive, our ski bus service can pick you up or drop you off at any of our 12 locations on southern Vancouver Island. Hiked to the peak of Sharp Top with my family recently. . I encountered few peak-bound hikers on this hike. The trail passes through a boulder field that looks out of place so high on the mountain. It will definitly make you sweat, especially on an 80 degree day. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on Abbott Lake and Flat Top Mountain (just taller at 4,001 feet) are visible to the north. For a schedule, visit the Lodges Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. Peak of Otter shouldn't be The roost had amazing views, but I did not enjoy climbing up the rock. This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. The Falling Water Cascades Trail is a 1.4-mile loop hike that leads to a series of cascades on Fallingwater Creek. I managed it with breaks every few hundred feet. 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