peaks of otter sharp top trail

Review of Campground only. Stopped at the park to go hiking and picnicking. Though closed at the time, it was a good starting... We got a really early start on our morning, and were headed up the trail by 9:30 or so. If it's been raining or foggy, it's best to come back at another time if possible as there will not be a view to see. There is a lot to do here, especially for hikers; there are six trails of varying degrees of difficulty. At Milepost 86, the parkway passes through the Peaks of Otter, which raises the wow factor even higher, in more ways than one. View Details. You can hike the entire was to the top, but we chose to ride the bus up to the 2,500' point and then hiked to the top, another 1,500'. Sharp Top Mountain belongs to the Peaks of Otter Area in the Southern Appalachian Range, near Bedford, Virginia. read more, Great place to stop off and admire the views and maybe eat lunch. The Peaks of Otter, located in Bedford County, Virginia, is a highlight of the Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 86) consisting of three peaks: Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. Dinner at the lodge and a walk around the grounds for photographs. Inside you can buy pre-packaged food and snacks, beer and wine, camping supplies, and other sundries. There is a lot to do here, especially for hikers; there are six trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Each of the peaks have well-traveled hiking trails, but Sharp Top Trail is by far the most popular trail of the three. Gorgeous views of the Peaks of Otter and great hike to the top. It was a delicious meal and a relaxing time. Road around loop B in terrible condition. We never made it to the visitor center as we really came for the view at the top of Sharp Top Mountain, but there is no page to review the hike/ride to Sharp Top. The Peaks of Otter and Sharp Top aren’t hard to find – just follow these directions . Across the road from the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is Route 43, a turn off of the Blue Ridge Parkway that leads to the Sharp Top Store, the Peaks of Otter Campground, and the Peaks of Otter Picnic Area.To get to the Store, take the first right after exiting the Parkway. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, VA, USA Get Directions 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. The well-established trail leads along a pretty trail with some decent views along the way. Bus rides to within 1,500 feet of the Sharp Top summit are available at a station not far from the visitor center. It has some of the best views in central Virginia. https://www.theoutbound.com/virginia/hiking/hike-the-sharp-top-trail Campground almost completely empty. There are plenty of spots for photo ops. The trailhead for this hike is at the same parking area for the Flat Top Trail. The Visitor Center was closed when we were there but we really came for the hike anyway. I spent a couple more years in the region in 2009-2011 and did some more hiking at Peaks of Otter, but I never found the time and stamina to tackle Sharp Top. Its pyramid shape makes it a distinctive landmark from many distant locations around Central Virginia. Finally, on the last day of my May 2018 Virginia hiking trip, I gave my old nemesis one more shot, and I conquered it in spite of the weather. read more. The mountain can be reached by a 4-km (2.6 mi) out and back trail featuring wildflowers and wildlife during the warm season from March until … This is the easiest of the Peaks of Otter hiking trails Virginia. We first ventured to the Peaks of Otter in April 2018 when we took to Sharp Top’s sister, Flat Top Mountain. more, This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC, Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. Staff are a little quirky but... The Sharp Top Shuttle is currently closed for the season. Each of the peaks have well-traveled hiking trails, but Sharp Top Trail is by far the most popular trail of the three. Ask Leonard W about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask Gearhead1960 about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask putnik123 about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask 571shawnt about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Hotels near (ROA) Roanoke Municipal Airport, Early Week Discount: 5% Monday, 10% Tuesday, SeaQuest Lynchburg-Single Day Passport Ticket. In the spring, the thickets of mountain laurel make this an … Virginia, United States, North America. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Related Activities Hiking Peaks of Otter has some of the most popular hiking trails in Virginia! Finally, on the last day of my May 2018 Virginia hiking trip, I gave my old nemesis one more shot, and I conquered it in spite of the weather. The two feature mountains are Sharp Top and Flat Top. Sharp Top via Sharp Top Trail *One of our Top Ten Hikes in the Southern Appalachians! When you reach the fork that leads to Buzzards Roost, you are 1900 feet from the top of Sharp Top. Sharp Top Trail. Download the Peaks of Otter trails map. Flat Top Trail A strenuous 4.4-mile hike to the summit of Flat Top peak. 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. It took me 2 hours (posting states 1.5 hours) and hiking boots and poles were helpful. The trail for Sharp Top said strenuous and it was definitely difficult. The Peaks of Otter are three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains, overlooking the town of Bedford, Virginia, which lies nine miles (14 km) to the southeast along State Route 43.These peaks are Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill.. Manmade Abbott Lake lies in the valley between the three peaks, behind the Peaks of Otter Lodge and restaurant. If you have drinks and snacks you can have a picnic and enjoy the stunning views – Flat Top and Abbott Lake to the north, the farmlands of Bedford, VA to the southeast, and the Shenandoah Valley to the west. Behind the Peaks of Otter Lodge is Abbott Lake, named for Stanley William Abbott, the Parkway’s first resident landscape architect and planner. Peaks of Otter Trails SHARP TOP TRAIL 811/ National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior HILL 70 1.6 (LOOP) JOHNSON 1.6 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Department of the Interior - … As expected, the views are spectacular and it was such a sense of accomplishment to complete. See our Eating & Sleeping page for more information. But is well worth it for the views at the top! The view of Sharp Top is great. Once thought to be Virginia’s highest peak, at 3,862 feet, it dwarfs Flat Top by 132 feet. Allow two hours for the hike up the mountain and one hour for the hike down. Finally, Scottish settlers may have named the Peaks after Ben Otter, a mountain in their homeland that resembles Sharp Top. During a recent trip to Virginia, I took a morning hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains to watch the sunrise on the Peaks of Otter. Continue your visit to www.tripadvisor.com. Bus rides to within 1,500 feet of the Sharp Top summit are available at a station not far from the visitor center. We did without but was disappointed and when asked ranger about it, he was rude.I have had fond memories of this campground when stayed there in my younger years. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/sharp-top-trail Just after crossing Route 43 there is an intersection on the left that leads to the Lake Trail. The Sharp Top trail, which starts at the intersection of Route 43 and the Parkway, is a a well-worn, 1 ½ miles long path, with several interesting rock formations. Round-trip tickets for adults are $12, children (12 and under) are $8. Astronomy The mountains of Peaks of Otter all have trails ranging from less than a mile to more than four miles, and there is nearby access to the Appalachian Trail. Sharp Top Trail in Bedford, VA was a grade A hike from bottom to top. Getting There Sharp Top Mountain is located in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Peaks and Sharp Top Are Easy to Find. ... For those not wishing to hike to the top, there is a bus service from the Peaks of Otter Lodge which runs up a road to the top. It was one of the best ways I could have spent a morning! Does not indicate that on website so very misleading. (The bus does not run during the winter months.) You can hike this trail all seasons, but hiking when snow and ice are on the trail is not recommended, because the rocks are slippery. After experiencing the exhilaration of your first hike up Sharp Top, whether it was the 1 ½ mile hike or the ¼ mile hike from the bus stop, you won’t be able to resist a repeat visit. The Peaks of Otter is a popular Blue Ridge Parkway destination. Was told once at the campground that generators were not allowed. Sleeping and Eating: Peaks of Otter Lodge: This historic lodge offers 63 rooms, a full-service restaurant, and lounge.The lodge is typically open from spring to late fall, as well as weekends in the winter. One mile (1.6 kilometers) long, it loops around Abbott Lake at the Peaks of Otter Lodge and offers fine views of the three Peaks, most notably Sharp Top Mountain. Each of the peaks have well-traveled hiking trails, but Sharp Top Trail is by far the most popular trail of the three. Stopped at the park to go hiking and picnicking. T he 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. The shuttle departs hourly on the following dates: The last few hundred feet of the hike consists of stone steps leading to Sharp Top’s peak. The time required, of course, will depend on your fitness level and how many times you want to stop along the way. At Mile Post 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you'll find the scenic Peaks of Otter: Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. Mild hike - but there are a lot of steps. Across the road from the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is Route 43, a turn off of the Blue Ridge Parkway that leads to the Sharp Top Store, the Peaks of Otter Campground, and the Peaks of Otter Picnic Area.To get to the Store, take the first right after exiting the Parkway. We got a really early start on our morning, and were headed up the trail by 9:30 or so. And, layering your clothing will keep you comfortable on the hike up, on your descent, and all the stops in between. Peaks of Otter is formed by three mountains with Abbott Lake in the center valley - Sharp Top Mountain (3,875 feet), Flat Top Mountain (4,001 feet), and Harkening Hill (3,372 feet). Consisting of boardwalks, pavement and gravel, this scenic trail is … The Visitors Center was closed. Sharp Top Mountain is a popular hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and is one of the three "Peaks of Otter". Though closed at the time, it was a good starting... Great place to stop off and admire the views and maybe eat lunch. If you don’t want to hike all the way, you can take a bus that will drop you off ¼ mile from the summit of Sharp Top. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. 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. There are many photo opportunities on your drive to Sharp Top, so be sure to have your camera ready. Ask Nikzleez about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask 802jenniferp about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. A one-way ticket (up the mountain) is $10 for adults and $6 for children. Thousands of people continue to make this hike every year. Several large boulders and a platform built into the rocks provide a 360 degree view of the Blue Ridge. Sharp Top Mountain used to be considered the highest point in Virginia. Also, bring bug spray. Flat Top Trail. If you need additional provisions, visit the Country Store. Famous naturalists and such notable historic figures as Thomas Jefferson and Robert E. Lee wrote about or visited the Peaks of Otter during their lives. The Peaks of Otter Lodge, which is the center of attraction for thousands of visitors throughout the year, is an additional ¼ mile north on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This one-way trail runs 4.4 miles between the Peaks of Otter Campground and the Flat Top Trail Parking Area at MP 83.5, crossing Flat Top Mountain near its mid-way point. The Peaks of Otter and Sharp Top aren’t hard to find – just follow these directions. The Peaks of Otter is a popular Blue Ridge Parkway destination. Buzzards have made this area their home, so you will see them in abundance, soaring high above the boulders. About Sharp Top. Replacing High Brake Light (High Mount Lamp) on 2007 Nissan 350Z Convertible, May 4-May 19, Sat/Sun, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, May 22-Oct 6, Wed-Sun, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Remember, this is one way, so unless you have a ride at the end, you must cross the mountain twice on your 8.8 mile hike. It’s not uncommon to see deer feeding alongside the road, and they are usually more than willing to pose for pictures. There are many photo opportunities on your drive to Sharp Top, so be sure to have your camera ready. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center: Sharp Top Trail - See 155 traveler reviews, 179 candid photos, and great deals for Virginia, at Tripadvisor. Stone staircases were sporadically placed for the last half mile, but I'm not really sure why. This strenuous hike will present some obstacles along the way, so be sure to wear comfortable, appropriate footwear. Arrived at campground and chose the B loop of the tent camping sites. 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. Stone staircases were sporadically placed for the last half mile, but I'm not really sure why. The top was astounding and well worth it. Once you get hooked, you will be returning year after year. That hike had both a higher elevation and hike distance; however, we learned Sharp Top was believed to be the state’s highest point in colonial times. Sharp Top Trail, Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, Jefferson National Forest, July 2019 Viewed from the valley below, Sharp Top (3,862’) in central Virginia is an imposing peak, once thought by 19 th century Virginians to be the highest point in the state. It is a large park featuring a nice lake with a mountain lodge, large camping and picnic areas, visitor's center and trails to hike. Visit the Peaks of Otter Lodge website to see available dates and book reservations online (you can also call 866-387-9905). It was a painfully strenuous 1.5 mile hike up dirt paths, rock scrambles and steps. Getting There Sharp Top Mountain is located in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are many on the hike and at the top. You can continue on the trail to Sharp Top, or take a 600 feet detour to Buzzards Roost, which is a collection of rock outcroppings that provide a panoramic view of the valley below. Inside you can buy pre-packaged food and snacks, beer and wine, camping supplies, and other sundries. Pricing, of course, is subject to change. T he 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. The actual visitors center is rather small, and lacks the kinds of displays and/or films that other visitor centers frequently have. 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