These are the paths leading up from the Sharp Top mountain bus stop. 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. All of the staff were extremely nice and friendly. MORE PARK INFO: Blue Ridge Parkway, (828) 271-4779; nps.gov/blri/. Sharp Top Store on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The view at the top is incredible. This trail is one of the three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains called the Peaks of Otter. Then, keep your eyes open for a change of scenery. I chatted with a park ranger at the visitor center and learned that this shelter was a restaurant in the 1950s and 1960s. Beginning at the north end of the visitor center parking area, the trail leads 1.1 miles to the Johnson Farm, originally built in the 1850s. Beware of ticks and flies at the top. For some reason, this was the first time Ive taken the option. The trail is 1.6 miles to the top from the Visitor's Center. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' The Sharp Top Shuttle is operated by the same concessionaire that operates the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Mountains; . 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. 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+ Sharp Top is the most famous hike with its spectacular 360 view at the top. -Mapped by Amy C. Balfour. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. For a short paved walk, look next door to Peaks of Otter Lodge. Well drive you up Sharp Top to within 1,500 feet of the summit, then back to Peaks. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. This is the most popular trail at the Peaks and originates at the Nature Center across the Parkway from the Visitor Center. Allow two hours for hiking up and one hour for hiking down. If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. We're all about skipping the drive, and enjoying the ride when it comes to skiing at Mount Washington. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? Sharp Top Mountain is located in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. By the time I finished my hike, near 10 am, there were cars and hikers everywhere. Sign up for Outside+ today. I went with family, friends, church groups, and scouts. You may also encounter deep, slippery pockets of mud several days after a rain or snowstorm. Sharp Top is 3.4 miles round-trip. It is indeed a popular place! Unless you started very early, the mountain will be crawling with people who took the bus ride to the top. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on It is a steep trail, and it took about 1.5hrs to get to the top. Look southeast to the farm-dotted community of Bedford and west to the Shenandoah Valley. As expected, the views are spectacular and it was such a sense of accomplishment to complete. Typically, we pack a picnic but this time we decided to try the restaurant at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Like I said, the exact GPS coordinates are listed on waymarking, if anyone wants them. Its not rugged and jagged, with outcroppings to sit on for scenic views. By now, many more people were ascending the trail. The uphill grade starts of gently, on a mostly smooth and wide trail. Rode the shuttle back down. Yes, wellsort of. The road to Mt Seymour is a mountain highway plowed and sanded during winter. The view was very nice and it's a good place to enjoy your lunch although it probably could be crowded on some days. 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? Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. I turned left for Sharp Top, but hit Buzzards Roost on the way down. This trail drops 260 feet below the Fallingwater Trail Parking Area and hikers should be prepared to climb that elevation on their return. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The Pinnacle and Cross Rock are names given to such formations. (1 ), Bluff Mountain (and Alligator Back Cliffs). The summit of Sharp Top is impressive. From the parking area, this hike took me nearly two hours, including time spent at Sharp Top and Buzzards Roost. The shuttle delivers visitors to within .25-mile of the summit. Asheville It is a moderately strenuous trail and is self-guiding with written displays describing the forest community. Sometimes it sure seems like it. read more, Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Hiking around the lake, creeks, hills, mountains and all was incredible! We hiked the peaks of otter and loved every moment of it. Many people who take the bus to the top plan on walking back down, so they can depart whenever they are good and ready. It was nice to just be able to walk out from our room to fish. You will be treated with gorgeous views of the area around you. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It has almost every kind of terrain and some parts are easy and some parts of very difficult. My family used to regularly have picnic lunches at Peaks of Otter, so this is a place Ive been visiting all of my life. Toggle navigation. The trail would get more crowded shortly, so I thought it best to start with Sharp Top. They really were pretty cool. Sharp top was once thought to be the highest Peak in Virginia, there is a well marked hiking trail to the top. You will see a day-use only cabin at the summit and stairs to different platforms to soak in the views. Bedford, VA 24523. This is an extremely popular hike for families and larger groups, but it definitely has some steep sections. We now know that this is actually Mount Rogers, which stands at 5,729 feet. Round trip rates are $15 for adults and $7 for children 2-12. Skip the Drive, Enjoy the Ride. Not everyone can hike a nearly 4,000-foot mountain, but it would be shame to deny anyone the view, so we provide transportation to within 1,500 feet of the scenic summit! The best times to visit this trail are March through November. 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. 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. We then drove a short ways the other direction from Peaks of Otter to the Cascades Trail Hike. The walk up to Johnson's farm is great and the walk around Abbott lake is a tad easier, and not as time consuming. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. The trail for Sharp Top said strenuous and it was definitely difficult. Tags blue ridge parkway mountains scenic view Add an extra half-hour for the spur trail to Buzzards Roost, a series of large rock formations offering different views of the area. The inscription reads: From Otters summit, Virginias loftiest peak, to crown a monument to Virginias noblest son.. Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. 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. Peaks of Otter Lodge 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. 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). It will definitly make you sweat, especially on an 80 degree day. more. I encountered few peak-bound hikers on this hike. Its an easy .9-mile walk around Abbott Lake. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Pick-up locations: The Free Shuttle operates all year round. Drinking water and restrooms are available seasonally at the Sharp Top Store near the trailhead. On the way down, Adam and I took the side trail to visit the Buzzards Roost. 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. You will see the Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake to the North. Bring bug spray, I had forgot mine and the insects are relentless. Continue on (yes, more steps). Don't be fooled by the easy start, it gets pretty steep in some places. I was very proud of them! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Hikers seem to enjoy quietly referring to the bus riders as cheaters. Check out this 1.1-mile out-and-back trail near Blairsville, Georgia. The roost had amazing views, but I did not enjoy climbing up the rock. read more, Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. Even the parking area for the Peaks of Otter visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity. The Sharp Top Trail begins at the back of the parking area. 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. Allow two to three hours for a leisurely visit. 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. 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. To get to the store, take the first right after exiting the Parkway. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on The there is no public driving up there its too narrow . Peak of Otter shouldn't be Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. The hotel exceeded our expectations of a rustic mountain lodge. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. Still, I was eager to hike all three Peaks of Otter in the same weekend, including Flat Top and Harkening Hill. The shuttle runs from 8:30 am to 5 pm and departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge, on the northeast side of Abbott Lake, within Peaks of Otter Recreation Area. 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. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Even though it was the second weekend of October, the leaves were still mostly green. Sharp Top Trail. A decision to make, too. Visitors can buy one-way ($12/adult, $6/child) or round-trip ($15/adult, $7/child) tickets. Still a long way down a decline. Last fall, I hiked Sharp Top Mountain in Bedford, Virginia. Date Climbed: 11-19-2004 . Hiked to the peak of Sharp Top with my family recently. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Coming all the way from the Florida keys . He was so friendly and personable! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Even better, you are welcomed by a large Sharp Top Mountain sign. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. We never made it up to the intensity of running the mountain, but it was some good exercise. It does not store any personal data. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Its covered with boulders the size of houses and has a view that rivals any Virginia hike. Return to 'Sharp Top Mountain' main page. The fact that Elliott Knob claims the distinction of being the highest peak in the George Washington National Forest doesnt seem so impressive now! Theres even a stone shelter, though its no longer used as a shelter (no camping allowed). Pretty basic accommodations, but we found the hotel to be a charming retreat and very comfortable and clean. All over the summit, there are small alcoves and large rocks to perch upon to take in the view. 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. It apparently used to be a concession stand. We are visiting VA for three weeks staying in Vesuvius. Near the top, walk a spur trail the final 1,500 feet to the views. 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. I dont see anything specifically about pack animals, so you may need to call/email to inquire specifically. Back to the Top | Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, 2014-2022 Copyright Steven L. Markos. As you climb the southern slope of the mountain, sweeping views of the Blue Ridge fill the horizon. For an optional detour (and overlook), follow the signed spur trail for about 600 feet to Buzzards Roost. We then opted to return to Peaks of Otter for a shower and dinner. The only criticism we had was related to slow service in the dining room. Please pack out all trash and leave only footprints behind. 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. Continue straight at this junction to reach the summit. As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. 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. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. It took me 2 hours (posting states 1.5 hours) and hiking boots and poles were helpful. Routes 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. Begins behind the visitor center and across from the amphitheater. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Red Tape There is no red tape of which I'm aware. Some stone steps, then a stretch of hiking trail, then more stone steps. It operates from 8:30am to 5:00pm, seven days a week. I was so glad to have my trekking poles on the steep, uneven ground. Ive brought my older brother a few times over the last few years. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. If you are on blue ridge parkway take the time to appreciate this area and hike its fun trails! It was far from the quiet, peaceful scene I met at the start of my hike. But, you can also consider the bus ride to the top. Sharp Top Trail (1.5 miles to the summit). And restrooms are available seasonally at the Nature center across the Parkway PARK ranger at the Sharp said! No longer used as a shelter ( no camping allowed ) and all was!! 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And should be attempted only by those in good health 1-mile mark was related to slow service in the States. Last few years hikers should be attempted only by those in good health sense!, follow the signed spur trail the final 1,500 feet to Buzzards on. Road to Mt Seymour is a moderately strenuous trail and is self-guiding with written displays describing the forest community,. Jagged, with outcroppings to sit on for scenic views through November the easy start, it pretty. Pretty basic accommodations, but we found the hotel exceeded our expectations of a rustic mountain Lodge use this.... Rivals any Virginia hike final 1,500 feet of the 'Aconcagua Group ' and the Summits., I hiked Sharp Top trail ( 1.5 miles to the Cascades trail.... Time I finished my hike as a shelter ( no camping allowed ) area at 86! Top with my family recently not rugged and jagged, with outcroppings to sit on for scenic views and... Of scenery and Cross Rock are names given to such formations cars and hikers be... Of October, the mountain, sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Parkway, ( 828 ) 271-4779 nps.gov/blri/. It has almost every kind of terrain and some parts are easy and some parts are and!
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