The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. For a schedule, visit the Lodges Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. Continue on (yes, more steps). Date Climbed: 11-19-2004 . Alpenglow in the Appalachians? We rode the bus almost to the top of this mountain, but to get to the very top, you have to hike up a steep winding trail. Sharp Top Mountain, named for its pointy summit, looms over historic Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake. They had a buffet option, but it was really expensive and there was no way I could have eaten my moneys worth. Don't be fooled by the easy start, it gets pretty steep in some places. The Sharp Top Shuttle is operated by the same concessionaire that operates the Peaks of Otter Lodge. For some reason, this was the first time Ive taken the option. Thick roots and chunky rocks become more prevalent as the trail ascends. Once I savored all the 360-degree views across the Blue Ridge Mountains, I re-traced my steps, then continued on the spur trail to check out Buzzards Roost. Ill try to get him to haul his cookies up the mountain again next year. Sharp Top (3,875 ft.): Pass the empty stone building (a former concession stand), then climb a few steps to the boulder-covered summit. 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. Enjoy the varied instruments, styles, and sounds of live Blue Ridge Mountain music select weekends! Still, I was eager to hike all three Peaks of Otter in the same weekend, including Flat Top and Harkening Hill. Sharp Top Shuttle Schedule Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. MORE PARK INFO: Blue Ridge Parkway, (828) 271-4779; nps.gov/blri/. The least difficult of these trails, is a one-mile loop around Abbott Lake. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. It was closed for lunch break so we hiked the Elk Run Trail. Tattered shreds of old blacktop mark the way as you approach the final ascent. Here are trail regulations. 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). Cathedral Mountain Lodge; Moraine Lake Lodge; Prospect Point Stanley Park; Stanley Park Pavilion Sharp Top can be accessed from the north or the south along the Appalachian Trail. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on The Sharp Top Store also sells walk-up Sharp Top Mountain shuttle tickets. Despite how strenuous it seemed to me, there were plenty of young kids (5-7) and teens along the way that seemed to manage it without much sweat. On one hike with a friend I had growing up, we spotted some trail runners. Even the parking area for the Peaks of Otter visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity. For a less crowded experience, consider relaxing at the Buzzards Roost spur rather than hiking all the way up to the summit. Repeat, repeat. Sharp Top Mountain looms large in the Peaks of Otter landscape in more ways than one. Visitors can buy one-way ($12/adult, $6/child) or round-trip ($15/adult, $7/child) tickets. 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Photos (4) Directions. A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. We hiked the Sharps Mountain trail and really enjoyed it. I dont see anything specifically about pack animals, so you may need to call/email to inquire specifically. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The trail is almost all uphill, somewhat steep at times, with plenty of rocks, roots and stairs along the way. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. Hiking around the lake, creeks, hills, mountains and all was incredible! Youll still have a short hike from the bus drop-off and lots of rocks to scramble on and views to enjoy! It will definitly make you sweat, especially on an 80 degree day. Food was good. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. NC Required fields are marked *. Thankfully, the weather was on board with my plan. Like many mountain homes, this one was improved a number of times over the years. From the summit, I found the unmarked trail down towards the site where a B-25D bomber crashed into Sharp Top on February 2, 1943. The trailhead is located at Mile Post 83.1 (Fallingwater Cascades Trail Parking Area), which is three miles north of the other trails at Peaks of Otter. The crew of 5, all young men on a nighttime low-level navigation training exercise, perished in the crash. Steps ascend from parking lot and nature center. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. 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. We settled for sandwiches instead. Near the top, walk a spur trail the final 1,500 feet to the views. Its certainly a thrill to hike up to the top of the nearly 4,000-foot mountain. Near the end of the trail, there are quite a few stone stairs to climb. It is indeed a popular place! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Trail runners are common on Sharp Top most mornings. As you explore the summit, youll quickly realize its not a traditional mountain summit. This was also a lot of fun, not as strenuous but still a work out. 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. By then it was open. We loved the visit! The actual Sharp Top Mountain address is 7861 Sheep Creek Road in Bedford. I was so glad to have my trekking poles on the steep, uneven ground. These are the paths leading up from the Sharp Top mountain bus stop. The view from up there is spectacular and you look down on to the lake in front of the Peals of Otter Lodge. My family used to regularly have picnic lunches at Peaks of Otter, so this is a place Ive been visiting all of my life. Explore this 3.3-mile out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia. The lot was nearly full, but I soon realized that it was filled with those reveling in a Sharp Top sunrise hike. Begins behind the visitor center and across from the amphitheater. Viewing: 1-12 of 12. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, VA, USA. If you like the stair master at the gym, you will love the ups and downs of the hike. This 3.4-mile hike leads to gorgeous views from the summit of Sharp Top. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. For a schedule, visit the Lodge's Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. The one downside to Sharp Top is the crowd of people youll be almost guaranteed to see. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 47 min to complete. When you arrive at the parking area for Sharp Top, youll quickly note that its really not very big. The trail passes through a boulder field that looks out of place so high on the mountain. All over the summit, there are small alcoves and large rocks to perch upon to take in the view. And, the Johnson Farm hike was a lovely walk through the woods. 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. Its an easy .9-mile walk around Abbott Lake. Ive brought my older brother a few times over the last few years. Question about Sharp Top- is it 3.4 mile round trip or one way? From here, I re-traced my steps back to the parking area. STP010 . 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. Its covered with boulders the size of houses and has a view that rivals any Virginia hike. The shuttle drops hikers within 0.25 miles of the summit, for a shorter, though still strenuous climb up the stairs to the top. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. When I visited in October, the parking lot was full at 9 AM and people were parking on VA 43. 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. Look to your left at this point. 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. read more. As we hiked up the trail, we passed several downhill hikers on their way back from watching sunrise atop the summit. The remaining .3 miles to the summit starts off relatively flat, but there are more sections of rock stairs along the way. Oddly enough, the Sharp Top Store is probably the last reason anyone stops at this parking area. And if its your first time here, you definitely need to ascend it one way or another. There are three peaks: Flat Top (4,004 feet), Sharp Top (3,875 feet), and Harkening Hill (3,375 feet). If you don't want to hike the steep trail (with multiple stairs . At the 1.2-mark, youll reach a trail sign. Personally, after using trekking poles for a while now, I dont know how I ever hiked without them! Moderate 4.4 (6) Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. I had an inner ear virus a few years ago, and have suffered serious bouts of vertigo ever since. The rock formations on this mountain are impressive! fantastic hikes right there at the Peaks of Otter. Its nice that most everyone can enjoy the summit views. Keep in mind that you still have a rugged quarter-mile hike from the bus stop to the peak, and dont bother if it is overcast because you wont see a thing at the top. Asheville 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. All Rights Reserved. What was I going to do at the top of Sharp Top Mountain for an hour? For the full Sharp Top hike (3.3 miles, out-and-back), the trail begins with a dozen stone steps right. 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. Many people who take the bus to the top plan on walking back down, so they can depart whenever they are good and ready. Once up on top, the views were amazing! 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. The most well-known trail of Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkway is the Peaks of Otter trail.It's a 1.5-mile hike to the summit of Sharp Top. The Visitor Center was closed when we were there but we really came for the hike anyway. Practice Leave No Trace when visiting. I was also thrilled that I seemed to arrive at just the right time, a few minutes before 8 am on a Saturday. Conditions can be icy during the colder months, and there are some high cliffs around the summit. Carefully climb the massive rock or take a short spur path on the right for views. It was a delicious meal and a relaxing time. The stone was even inscribed to honor George Washington. For a sit-down meal, look next door to the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Shuttles run from the parking lot to the top of the peak in summer. According to official elevations, this Sharp Top doesnt even make the top 50 list. Breathtaking views from Sharp Top--pretty strenuous hike, but our 4 yr old made it (with a 2hr nap afterward! Sharp Top is a popular hiking destination off the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Peaks of Otter recreation area. You will see a day-use only cabin at the summit and stairs to different platforms to soak in the views. Kelly J. Mihalcoe photo Visitors to Peaks of Otter follow a long-standing tradition of tourism. This is an extremely popular hike for families and larger groups, but it definitely has some steep sections. Back to the Top | Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, 2014-2022 Copyright Steven L. Markos. I would suggest taking a look at Devils Marbleyard if you want to do some more scrambling! It is clear of trees giving hikers a rewarding 360 view of the surrounding Blue Ridge. more. This is also where you can purchase tickets for the Sharp Top Shuttlea bus to the top of Sharp Top Mountain. Weve done that in past years, and the foliage makes the view even nicer! Junction with Buzzards Roost Spur Trail. It apparently used to be a concession stand. Drinking water and restrooms are available seasonally at the Sharp Top Store near the trailhead. By the time I finished my hike, near 10 am, there were cars and hikers everywhere. The location of the crash site is a closely guarded secret, known only to elite members of the hiking community, and those that ask the bus driver for directions. I chatted with a park ranger at the visitor center and learned that this shelter was a restaurant in the 1950s and 1960s. Ask Leonard W about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. The trail for Sharp Top said strenuous and it was definitely difficult. Eager for steps on area hiking trails? These hikers were on their way down. The Peaks of Otter hike to Harkening Hill also begins across the Blue Ridge Parkway. 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. As the summit draws near, youll find yourself hiking between and around gigantic boulders. Turn left to continue to the summit of Sharp Top. Then, keep your eyes open for a change of scenery. Choose the Perfect Gift at One of Our Lodge Shops Gift Shop The Visitors Center was closed. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. At 1.2 miles, you reach a junction. 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. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Toggle navigation. This woodland trail climbs to a ridge where distant views are rewarding.