We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. MORE PARK INFO: Blue Ridge Parkway, (828) 271-4779; nps.gov/blri/. 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. Toggle navigation. You may also encounter deep, slippery pockets of mud several days after a rain or snowstorm. Do not forget your camera. The trail is relatively flat with minimal elevation difference. After passing the building, the path winds between the stones up to the highest spot. Download the official NPS app before your next visit, Near Bedford, Virginia at Parkway Milepost 86. Sharp Top can be accessed from the north or the south along the Appalachian Trail. Thanks for the visit! Gorgeous views of the Peaks of Otter and great hike to the top. Tags blue ridge parkway mountains scenic view 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. You will see a day-use only cabin at the summit and stairs to different platforms to soak in the views. Avoid the exposed peak during storms. Amazingly, Hawksbill, the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park, cant make the list either. Thank you for signing up for email alerts! For a sit-down meal, look next door to the Peaks of Otter Lodge. 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). Flat Top Trail A strenuous 4.4-mile hike to the summit of Flat Top peak. The keurig in the room was a nice touch. It was nice to just be able to walk out from our room to fish. If your kids are fit and active, they may be able to do the entire hike. Other than that, we had the trail mostly to ourselves. 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. Sharp Top Mountain looms large in the Peaks of Otter landscape in more ways than one. Red Tape There is no red tape of which I'm aware. After loading up with water and snacks, follow the well-marked signs to the start of the trail, which begins as a neatly-constructed stone staircase. The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. Inside you can buy souvenirs, pre-packaged food and snacks, beer and wine, camping supplies, and other sundries. Hikers seem to enjoy quietly referring to the bus riders as cheaters. The hotel exceeded our expectations of a rustic mountain lodge. Steps ascend from parking lot and nature center. Shuttle Service Updates Jan. 9 - 22 Schedule Jan. 23 - Feb. 2 Schedule . Are pack animals (pack goats) allowed on this trail? Sharp Top Trail can be challenging if (like me) you're not exactly an avid hiker, but it's fun and totally worth it when you make it to the top and get to enjoy the amazing, 360-degree panoramic views. The trail soon crosses a road used by shuttles in summer before ascending more steeply, with dense forest giving way to ever-expanding mountain-and-valley views to the southeast. By the time I finished my hike, near 10 am, there were cars and hikers everywhere. Pick-up locations: The Free Shuttle operates all year round. 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 To Climb All year. I went with family, friends, church groups, and scouts. 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. 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. Round trip rates are $15 for adults and $7 for children 2-12. (1 ), Bluff Mountain (and Alligator Back Cliffs). Repeat, repeat. I wish I did it sooner. 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. There is no drinking water available on the summit, so carry plenty with you. Routes It operates from 8:30am to 5:00pm, seven days a week. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Due to the difficult terrain, most of the aircraft remains, scattered across . And if its your first time here, you definitely need to ascend it one way or another. Breathtaking views from Sharp Top--pretty strenuous hike, but our 4 yr old made it (with a 2hr nap afterward! Schedules can change, so for the latest information be sure to check the National Park Services Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the Blue Ridge Parkway. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. This is the most popular trail at the Peaks and originates at the Nature Center across the Parkway from the Visitor Center. Sharp Top Trail (1.5 miles to the summit). What was I going to do at the top of Sharp Top Mountain for an hour? Its an easy .9-mile walk around Abbott Lake. The trailhead is next to the Sharp Top Store, a small camp store that sells snacks, supplies and souvenirs. There is also a gift shop that sells sweatshirts inside that say I Survived Sharp Top. Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space! It does not store any personal data. Trail is ADA Accessible.This is also a kid-friendly TRACK trail. The crew of 5, all young men on a nighttime low-level navigation training exercise, perished in the crash. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. 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. As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Return to 'Sharp Top Mountain' main page. On the way down, Adam and I took the side trail to visit the Buzzards Roost. The one downside to Sharp Top is the crowd of people youll be almost guaranteed to see. For a schedule, visit the Lodge's Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. Im so glad Adam introduced me to this hike. Sharp Top Trail. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. The Sharp Top Trail begins at the back of the parking area. 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. Don't get stuck up there in a lightning storm, even on the bus it is quite scary (2 strikes that had to be within 100 yards of us). The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. For a schedule, visit the Lodges Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. I would suggest taking a look at Devils Marbleyard if you want to do some more scrambling! It seems they may be short-staffed, and the waitstaff and bartender were extremely nice and apologetic but obviously overwhelmed. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, VA, USA. I HATE going down but love going up! Their Lake View Restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner in-season. Its great and so helpful. 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. Theres even a stone shelter, though its no longer used as a shelter (no camping allowed). Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I encountered few peak-bound hikers on this hike. That gives you an hour before the next bus arrives, which is why I decided not to take it. Length 1.1 miElevation gain 452 ftRoute type Out & back. It was far from the quiet, peaceful scene I met at the start of my hike. 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. Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. At the spur trail junction, turn left to continue to Sharp Tops bouldery peak. The TRACK Trail program is a network of kid friendly self guided trails on or near the Parkway. The beds were surprisingly comfy. Here are trail regulations. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? The best times to visit this trail are March through November. The rock formations on this mountain are impressive! The trail takes hikers through a woodland forest and open field, offering a close-up view of this picturesque lake. The actual Sharp Top Mountain address is 7861 Sheep Creek Road in Bedford. To reach the trailhead, cross the Blue Ridge Parkway on a pedestrian sidewalk. Continue straight at this junction to reach the summit. It was cool and brilliantly sunny. According to a sign near the summit, the boulders formed after diorite rock split apart along weather-weakened seams. (15), Additions & Corrections The Pinnacle and Cross Rock are names given to such formations. A small visitor center with a few displays of information. The summit of Sharp Top is impressive. Rode the shuttle back down. Thanks for sharing! The trail is popular with families, and youll even see the occasional dog (a leash is required). 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. 100-703 Broughton Street Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W1E2 +1-866-445-8259 [email protected] Allow two hours for hiking up and one hour for hiking down. My wife and visit this area quite often. The hike down was over pretty quickly and we were off to lunch! Be aware that weather and road surface conditions change quickly. As expected, the views are spectacular and it was such a sense of accomplishment to complete. This 3.4-mile hike leads to gorgeous views from the summit of Sharp Top. Even though it was the second weekend of October, the leaves were still mostly green. 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. This could be due to the fact they have just reopened and are under new management. Pretty basic accommodations, but we found the hotel to be a charming retreat and very comfortable and clean. The shuttle drops hikers within 0.25 miles of the summit, for a shorter, though still strenuous climb up the stairs to the top. These hikers were on their way down. 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). This trail drops 260 feet below the Fallingwater Trail Parking Area and hikers should be prepared to climb that elevation on their return. Coming all the way from the Florida keys . This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Visitors can buy one-way ($12/adult, $6/child) or round-trip ($15/adult, $7/child) tickets. The uphill grade starts of gently, on a mostly smooth and wide trail. So the trip to the top is well worth the cost and hike. Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. 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? The trail for Sharp Top said strenuous and it was definitely difficult. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on I was hoping that someone could tell me if it is off to the left or right of buzzard roost trail and how far down the buzzard roost trail should I go. For example, the I might suggest looking there. The hostess had to pitch in to help serve us. The only criticism we had was related to slow service in the dining room. This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. 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. All of the staff were extremely nice and friendly. more. Thick roots and chunky rocks become more prevalent as the trail ascends. Sharp Top Mountain Trail Theres a shuttle bus that takes people almost to the top. Hiked to the peak of Sharp Top with my family recently. The shuttle drops hikers within 0.25 miles of the summit, for a shorter, though still strenuous climb up the stairs to the top. Shuttles run from the parking lot to the top of the peak in summer. Anytime I climb places with uneven footing and precipitous, open drops I get an awful spinning sensation. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Thats where our shuttles comes in handy. The trail would get more crowded shortly, so I thought it best to start with Sharp Top. Ask Leonard W about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. You will get more great views from here and can actually get some nice views of the summit of Sharp Top. Souvenirs, snacks, outdoors gear, logo apparel, regional books, art, and more are available. We're all about skipping the drive, and enjoying the ride when it comes to skiing at Mount Washington. You will be treated with gorgeous views of the area around you. Add an extra half-hour for the spur trail to Buzzards Roost, a series of large rock formations offering different views of the area. Is it possible to hike up and ride down? Practice Leave No Trace when visiting. Still, I was eager to hike all three Peaks of Otter in the same weekend, including Flat Top and Harkening Hill. But is well worth it for the views at the top! Even better, it wasnt as difficult I expected. Loved the screen doors, and you sure can't beat the views! For a less crowded experience, consider relaxing at the Buzzards Roost spur rather than hiking all the way up to the summit. The views are not as good as those from Sharp Top, but still quite nice. According to official elevations, this Sharp Top doesnt even make the top 50 list. The views are truly spectacular. Concession-operated bus service (one-way or round trip) to within one quarter mile of the top is available seasonally. A decision to make, too. We decided to brave the Sharp Top based on the reviews. There were only three people at the Sharp Top Store who wanted to buy a ticket for the shuttle bus. 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. 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+ 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. On this trail, hikers can experience the changing forest ecology as they climb or descend 1,600 feet from the Parkway trail heads. From the Blue Ridge Parkway-based trailhead (across from the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center at MP86), start a moderate climb along the mountains base. I had an inner ear virus a few years ago, and have suffered serious bouts of vertigo ever since. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. Were can I find trail rules for the Sharp Top? Continue straight across the shuttle bus route to rejoin the trail. Sign up for Outside+ today. Stop by to pick up ready-to-eat foods, snacks, bottled water, and more. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. The trailhead is to the left of the nature center, which is directly across from the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. Like many mountain homes, this one was improved a number of times over the years. It's a tough walk, especially if you have any issues with your knees but I had my cane which helped immensely. Typically, we pack a picnic but this time we decided to try the restaurant at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Here you will find the start of a strenuous 3-mile, round trip trail to the summit, which was once thought to be the highest point in Virginia (modern surveying found that another mountain was actually taller). Peaks guests can purchase round trip tickets at the discounted rate of $10 at the Sharp Top Store. I was nervous given the Sharp Top Trail was rated as hard and elevation gain neared 1,300 feet. Sharptop Mountain. There's something for everyone! I was so glad to have my trekking poles on the steep, uneven ground. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Peak of Otter shouldn't be Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 15 min to complete. Trail runners are common on Sharp Top most mornings. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I always thought Peaks of Otter was an odd name for a place, so I did a little research and found some information about the origin of the name on the nearby lodges website: There are three opinions on how the Peaks of Otter got their name. We now know that this is actually Mount Rogers, which stands at 5,729 feet. Allow two to three hours for a leisurely visit. Continue left on the trail to the summit. At the summit of Sharp Top, there are stone walkways, stairs and terraces. Lately, Christine and I have made this hike a nearly annual fall tradition. It will definitly make you sweat, especially on an 80 degree day. Harkening Hill Trail Unless you started very early, the mountain will be crawling with people who took the bus ride to the top. Ive never seen horses/mules on that trail, so my *guess* is that pack animals are not allowed. The 360-degree views contribute to its popularity, but it helps that there are two ways to the top, a full out-and-back hike and a shuttle paired with a .25-mile hike. Ive outlined three hiking options that range from 2.8 to 3.6 miles. Get Directions. Its nice that most everyone can enjoy the summit views. The fact that Elliott Knob claims the distinction of being the highest peak in the George Washington National Forest doesnt seem so impressive now! If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. There are three peaks: Flat Top (4,004 feet), Sharp Top (3,875 feet), and Harkening Hill (3,375 feet). 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. From the parking area, this hike took me nearly two hours, including time spent at Sharp Top and Buzzards Roost. The shuttle departs from the main lodge building. Everyone else was walking to the top. 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. 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. I believe waymarking.com has the precise coordinates. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. All Rights Reserved. I managed it with breaks every few hundred feet. Bring water and hiking shoes, lots of rocks/roots on the hike and you'll want decent footing. The lodge offers great food. Bus/Shuttle Stop, Food/Drink - Ice Cream, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Parking - Auto, Restroom - Seasonal, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Water - Drinking/Potable. There is also a separate cliff formation on the other side of Sharp Top called Buzzard's Roost, which also has good views. Thanks for the interesting read. This is also where you can purchase tickets for the Sharp Top Shuttlea bus to the top of Sharp Top Mountain. On weekends, the parking lot can overflow. This was very helpful thank you so much. 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. 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. Free Shuttle Schedule Hop Aboard.
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