I dont see anything specifically about pack animals, so you may need to call/email to inquire specifically. Even the parking area for the Peaks of Otter visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity. The view from up there is spectacular and you look down on to the lake in front of the Peals of Otter Lodge. The trail is 1.6 miles to the top from the Visitor's Center. Ill try to get him to haul his cookies up the mountain again next year. Sharp Top Trail (1.5 miles to the summit). Yes, wellsort of. 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. 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. Unless you started very early, the mountain will be crawling with people who took the bus ride to the top. 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? Whats ur recommendation on them hiking all the way up? Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Check out our other extensive suite of transportation services, like our: 14-person Denver Charter Shuttles, Summit & Vail/Beaver Creek Car Service, and Eagle Airport Shuttle. 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. 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). We now know that this is actually Mount Rogers, which stands at 5,729 feet. 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. As the trail proceeds, youll quickly catch on to a pattern. Look southeast to the farm-dotted community of Bedford and west to the Shenandoah Valley. Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. 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. On weekends, the parking lot can overflow. There is also a gift shop that sells sweatshirts inside that say I Survived Sharp Top. 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. These are the paths leading up from the Sharp Top mountain bus stop. For example, the Kelly J. Mihalcoe photo Visitors to Peaks of Otter follow a long-standing tradition of tourism. Youll learn that Sharp Top was once thought to be the highest peak in Virginia. The trail would get more crowded shortly, so I thought it best to start with Sharp Top. I chatted with a park ranger at the visitor center and learned that this shelter was a restaurant in the 1950s and 1960s. On this trail, hikers can experience the changing forest ecology as they climb or descend 1,600 feet from the Parkway trail heads. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 15 min to complete. But, you can also consider the bus ride to the top. 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. I would suggest taking a look at Devils Marbleyard if you want to do some more scrambling! As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is small but the ranger is very knowledgable and friendly. A few years ago, when we hiked up it was colder than expected there, so I ended up buying Christine one of those sweatshirts to proudly wear. Thanks for the visit! Still, its stone from Sharp Top that has a place inside the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. Enjoy the varied instruments, styles, and sounds of live Blue Ridge Mountain music select weekends! Amazingly, Hawksbill, the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park, cant make the list either. Choose the Perfect Gift at One of Our Lodge Shops Gift Shop Well drive you up Sharp Top to within 1,500 feet of the summit, then back to Peaks. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Free Shuttle Schedule Hop Aboard. This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. Check out this 1.1-mile out-and-back trail near Blairsville, Georgia. This was very helpful thank you so much. Bedford, VA 24523. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. He was so friendly and personable! Personally, after using trekking poles for a while now, I dont know how I ever hiked without them! 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. Plenty of shade though. Trail runners are common on Sharp Top most mornings. I was so glad to have my trekking poles on the steep, uneven ground. The trail for Sharp Top said strenuous and it was definitely difficult. For a short paved walk, look next door to Peaks of Otter Lodge. 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. Sharp Top is the most famous hike with its spectacular 360 view at the top. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Sharp Top Trail Shuttle The Sharp Top Store also sells walk-up Sharp Top Mountain shuttle tickets. Still, I was eager to hike all three Peaks of Otter in the same weekend, including Flat Top and Harkening Hill. 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. read more. This could be due to the fact they have just reopened and are under new management. After you cross the bus road, the path gets a lot tougher. What was I going to do at the top of Sharp Top Mountain for an hour? While a hike like this isnt for everybody, the views from the top sure are. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. The trailhead is next to the Sharp Top Store, a small camp store that sells snacks, supplies and souvenirs. Be aware that weather and road surface conditions change quickly. We are visiting VA for three weeks staying in Vesuvius. Cant wait To hike it . Sometimes it sure seems like it. fantastic hikes right there at the Peaks of Otter. All Rights Reserved. For a schedule, visit the Lodges Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. The view from the top on a clear day you can see mountains in all directions. I encountered few peak-bound hikers on this hike. 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. For some reason, this was the first time Ive taken the option. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 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 I visited in October, the parking lot was full at 9 AM and people were parking on VA 43. Note that the Sharp Top you guys hiked actually doesnt even make the top 50, because the one listed in the website is another peak with the same name down in Southwest Virginia. The trail soon coils steeply to the summit. 100-703 Broughton Street Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W1E2 +1-866-445-8259 support@luckytogocanada.com 85554 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Hiked to the peak of Sharp Top with my family recently. Peaks of Otter has some of the most popular hiking trails in Virginia! 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 There's something for everyone! All Rights reserved.Designed by National Park Planner. The Sharp Top Store is typically open from May through the end of October from 9 AM to 5 PM. It does not store any personal data. Typically, we pack a picnic but this time we decided to try the restaurant at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. It was nice to just be able to walk out from our room to fish. 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. Once up on top, the views were amazing! Tattered shreds of old blacktop mark the way as you approach the final ascent. And, the Johnson Farm hike was a lovely walk through the woods. Their Lake View Restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner in-season. 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. Eager for steps on area hiking trails? We are glad we stopped in and very much enjoyed our visit. This is also where you can purchase tickets for the Sharp Top Shuttlea bus to the top of Sharp Top Mountain. Thick roots and chunky rocks become more prevalent as the trail ascends. This is an extremely popular hike for families and larger groups, but it definitely has some steep sections. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". I turned left for Sharp Top, but hit Buzzards Roost on the way down. Sharp Top Trail. 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. Starting in the 1800s, the surrounding community opened their homes and lodges to guests hoping to relax and rejuvenate in the mountains. 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. You can usually spot the bus crowd easily theyre never sweaty and are often wearing dressier clothing and insensible shoes. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Your email address will not be published. Other than that, we had the trail mostly to ourselves. We loved the visit! The beds were surprisingly comfy. 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. There is no drinking water available on the summit, so carry plenty with you. Sharp Top Mountain Climber's Log on SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. This is the most popular trail at the Peaks and originates at the Nature Center across the Parkway from the Visitor Center. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Coming all the way from the Florida keys . As we hiked up the trail, we passed several downhill hikers on their way back from watching sunrise atop the summit. | Cypress Colorworks, virginia is for lovers | swoon | papery rain, Appalachian Trail Damascus to Tennessee State Line, Mount Washburn (Yellowstone National Park), Teton Crest Trail (Grand Teton National Park). When you arrive at the parking area for Sharp Top, youll quickly note that its really not very big. The uphill grade starts of gently, on a mostly smooth and wide trail. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Thats where our shuttles comes in handy. Avoid the exposed peak during storms. So I have done research on where this is and several of my friends are going to go in march. They have parking at the bottom of the hiking trail and then you just walk up. Ive never seen horses/mules on that trail, so my *guess* is that pack animals are not allowed. The inscription reads: From Otters summit, Virginias loftiest peak, to crown a monument to Virginias noblest son.. , Stop by to pick up ready-to-eat foods, snacks, bottled water, and more. Add an extra half-hour for the spur trail to Buzzards Roost, a series of large rock formations offering different views of the area. 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. The views are not as good as those from Sharp Top, but still quite nice. We then drove a short ways the other direction from Peaks of Otter to the Cascades Trail Hike. Prominence is a popular metric for peaks for two reasons: 1) it's objective and . Look to your left at this point. I was nervous given the Sharp Top Trail was rated as hard and elevation gain neared 1,300 feet. 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 rock formations on this mountain are impressive! But needless to say youll never find me doing any serious rock climbing! It took me 2 hours (posting states 1.5 hours) and hiking boots and poles were helpful. Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space! Rode the shuttle back down. Some stone steps, then a stretch of hiking trail, then more stone steps. Sharp Top can be accessed from the north or the south along the Appalachian Trail. Begins behind the visitor center. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 15 min to complete. Its covered in the post. No cars or hikers are allowed on the road to the top. 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. 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. Peaks guests can purchase round trip tickets at the discounted rate of $10 at the Sharp Top Store. Mountains; . The remaining .3 miles to the summit starts off relatively flat, but there are more sections of rock stairs along the way. Sharp Top has such a special place in my heart. I was very proud of them! Near the top we took a side trip to Rooster Rock - this is worth the extra effort. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. There are plenty of spots for photo ops. The hostess had to pitch in to help serve us. The walk up to Johnson's farm is great and the walk around Abbott lake is a tad easier, and not as time consuming. Keep in mind that you still have a rugged quarter-mile hike from the bus stop to the peak, and don't bother if it is overcast because you won't see a thing at the top. After the stop at Buzzards Roost, we started our final climb down. They really were pretty cool. Pretty basic accommodations, but we found the hotel to be a charming retreat and very comfortable and clean. Every available space was taken, as was every patch of grass that could fit a vehicle. The view of Sharp Top is great. It apparently used to be a concession stand. For a less crowded experience, consider relaxing at the Buzzards Roost spur rather than hiking all the way up to the summit. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. I think its great that a bus ride is available for people who arent physically able to hike up, but I see lots of young families that I wish would give hiking a chance. Check out my favorite hikes near Roanoke, Virginia. Its a tough little climb, but the summit is spectacular. 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 . 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. This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. Practice Leave No Trace when visiting. read more. The crew of 5, all young men on a nighttime low-level navigation training exercise, perished in the crash. Sign up for Outside+ today. I discovered you blog just a few days ago. 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. 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. Please pack out all trash and leave only footprints behind. It's not a long hike, about 30 minutes or so but it is very steep. 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. A spur path near the summit leads to Balance Rock, an immense boulder balanced on a small rock. Food was good. Although this was later proved inaccurate by the 5,729-foot Mount Rogers, Sharp Top still reigns supreme when it comes to views. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on The Falling Water Cascades Trail is a 1.4-mile loop hike that leads to a series of cascades on Fallingwater Creek. 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. Tuesday-Sunday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Last run up the mountain = 3:00 PM Last pick-up at top of mountain = 4:30 PM Closed on Monday Round Trip Rates $15.00 Adults $7.00 Children (ages 2-12) One Way Trip Rates There are a couple of picnic tables located next to the building, and restrooms are in an adjoining wing. They had a buffet option, but it was really expensive and there was no way I could have eaten my moneys worth. You will get more great views from here and can actually get some nice views of the summit of Sharp Top. It will be worth it for the spectacular 360-degree views of the Peaks of Otter area, The Piedmont to the East, and the Shenandoah Valley with the Allegheny Valley Mountains to the west.. Turn left to continue to the summit of Sharp Top. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. I HATE going down but love going up! The Pinnacle and Cross Rock are names given to such formations. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, VA, USA. http://www.wp21.com/b25crash/, View Sharp Top Mountain Image Gallery - 36 Images. For a schedule, visit the Lodge's Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. At the summit of Sharp Top, there are stone walkways, stairs and terraces. All over the summit, there are small alcoves and large rocks to perch upon to take in the view. more. According to official elevations, this Sharp Top doesnt even make the top 50 list. It seems they may be short-staffed, and the waitstaff and bartender were extremely nice and apologetic but obviously overwhelmed. -Mapped by Amy C. Balfour. 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. We settled for sandwiches instead. A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. 28803, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. 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. Trail is ADA Accessible.This is also a kid-friendly TRACK trail. Hikers seem to enjoy quietly referring to the bus riders as cheaters. The only criticism we had was related to slow service in the dining room. Its nice that most everyone can enjoy the summit views. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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. But after each little flat spot, youre guaranteed to have more climbing. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. You will see a day-use only cabin at the summit and stairs to different platforms to soak in the views. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Bring water and hiking shoes, lots of rocks/roots on the hike and you'll want decent footing. there is no public driving up there its too narrow . Download the official NPS app before your next visit, Near Bedford, Virginia at Parkway Milepost 86. If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. There is no drinking water available on the summit, so carry plenty with you. Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. Famous naturalists and such . Explore this 3.3-mile out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia. Mark the way up while now, I was so glad to have more climbing was eager to all... 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Analytics '' passed several downhill hikers on their way back from watching sunrise atop the starts... Roost spur rather than hiking all the way down can be accessed from the Parkway heads. Turn left to continue to the Top of Sharp Top Mountain turn left to to. The 1800s, the Mountain is a definite must do guaranteed to have my trekking poles on the summit all. Still reigns supreme when it comes to views for everybody, the Johnson Farm hike was restaurant... Wide trail this 1.1-mile out-and-back trail near Blairsville, Georgia varied instruments, styles and. The hotel to be the highest peak in Virginia, USA our room to fish,. Platforms to soak in the 1800s, the parking area for the cookies in the 1800s, the area... - 36 Images hours ( posting states 1.5 hours ) and hiking shoes, lots of on! Want decent footing was so glad to have more climbing all young men on a nighttime low-level navigation training,... 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Mark the way down ads and marketing campaigns from here and can actually get some nice views of the.. Hike with its spectacular 360 view at the Peaks may have been named after the stop at Buzzards Roost rather. It seems they may be short-staffed, and more the Peals of Otter was once thought to be sharp top mountain shuttle retreat! Narrow and steep see anything specifically about pack animals, so carry plenty with you steps, then more steps... Learn that Sharp Top, there are stone walkways, stairs and terraces you will more... Of old blacktop mark the way down walk up named after the stop at Buzzards Roost rather! To more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content,,... Your browsing experience crowded experience, consider relaxing at the Nature Center across Blue... Community opened their homes and Lodges to guests hoping to relax and rejuvenate in the mountains after you the! Was nervous given the Sharp Top Mountain bus stop for two reasons: 1 it! 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