Prominence is a popular metric for peaks for two reasons: 1) it's objective and . It's defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. 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. Sharp Top (3,875 ft.): Pass the empty stone building (a former concession stand), then climb a few steps to the boulder-covered summit. And, the Johnson Farm hike was a lovely walk through the woods. I dont know why, but I always seem to block the steep and rocky parts out of my mind. It is clear of trees giving hikers a rewarding 360 view of the surrounding Blue Ridge. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". For some reason, this was the first time Ive taken the option. For an optional detour (and overlook), follow the signed spur trail for about 600 feet to Buzzards Roost. Thanks for sharing! Be aware that weather and road surface conditions change quickly. For a leisurely walk, allow one hour. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. We then opted to return to Peaks of Otter for a shower and dinner. Gorgeous views of the Peaks of Otter and great hike to the top. But is well worth it for the views at the top! Sharp Top has such a special place in my heart. I grew up in nearby Lynchburg and I couldnt even tell you the number of times I have hiked this trail. Map and location information for Sharp Top Mountain in Virginia: Sharp Top Mountain is one of the Summits in Bedford County, VA and can be found on the Peaks of Otter USGS topographic quad map. Peak of Otter shouldn't be Conditions can be icy during the colder months, and there are some high cliffs around the summit. 28803, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. The concessionaire provides shuttle bus service seasonally for ticketed passengers. Although this was later proved inaccurate by the 5,729-foot Mount Rogers, Sharp Top still reigns supreme when it comes to views. Its great and so helpful. The hotel exceeded our expectations of a rustic mountain lodge. Dinner at the lodge and a walk around the grounds for photographs. Carefully climb the massive rock or take a short spur path on the right for views. Begins behind the visitor center. Back to the Top | Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, 2014-2022 Copyright Steven L. Markos. Add an extra half-hour for the spur trail to Buzzards Roost, a series of large rock formations offering different views of the area. 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 Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. 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. Location: 37.4335034, -79.6048728. Required fields are marked *. He helped us make plans, helped my granddaughter with Jr Ranger and shared how he came to be a Park Ranger. more. My wife and are senior citizens and taking our time we did make it all the way to the top. Continue to climb up the trail which includes some sections of stairs. Personally, after using trekking poles for a while now, I dont know how I ever hiked without them! Bedford, VA 24523. A loop trail, approximately two miles long, which follows a section of the Harkening Hill loop trail. 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. On the stone in the monument, it is inscribed "From Otter's Summit, Virginia's Loftiest Peak, To Crown a Monument to Virginia's Noblest Son." We have a 4and 6 year old girls. Oddly enough, the Sharp Top Store is probably the last reason anyone stops at this parking area. There is also a separate cliff formation on the other side of Sharp Top called Buzzard's Roost, which also has good views. I was nervous given the Sharp Top Trail was rated as hard and elevation gain neared 1,300 feet. 100-703 Broughton Street Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W1E2 +1-866-445-8259 support@luckytogocanada.com 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. 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. 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. You can turn left for Sharp Top (1,900 feet) or turn right for Buzzards Roost (600 feet). I know they are not on the Appalachian. The Peaks of Otter Gift Shop, Country Store, and Sharp Top Shop offer provisions to complement your Blue Ridge Mountain getaway. Pretty basic accommodations, but we found the hotel to be a charming retreat and very comfortable and clean. Last fall, I hiked Sharp Top Mountain in Bedford, Virginia. Steps ascend from parking lot and nature center. Ill try to get him to haul his cookies up the mountain again next year. Yes, wellsort of. We were very lucky it was a gorgeous day and we had terrific views of the surrounding area including Abbott Lake & the Peaks of Otter Lodge. While a hike like this isnt for everybody, the views from the top sure are. Continue straight at this junction to reach the summit. I was not deterred, however. Free Shuttle Schedule Hop Aboard. When I visited in October, the parking lot was full at 9 AM and people were parking on VA 43. Harkening Hill Trail We go in two weeks to sharp top. You can take a shuttle bus up to the last 1,500 feet of Sharp Top - this was the down trail we walked which takes you to the camp store. Living history demonstrations are presented on a seasonal basis. Continue on (yes, more steps). For post-hike snacks and drinks, pop in the Sharp Top Store at the trailhead. 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. The stone was even inscribed to honor George Washington. The shuttle drops hikers within 0.25 miles of the summit, for a shorter, though still strenuous climb up the stairs to the top. Even though it was the second weekend of October, the leaves were still mostly green. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". It apparently used to be a concession stand. These hikers were on their way down. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Due to the difficult terrain, most of the aircraft remains, scattered across . Steep, stone-cut steps are the efficient (and quad busting) substitute. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Its a tough little climb, but the summit is spectacular. Its fairly relentless uphill for a while. Skip the Drive, Enjoy the Ride. Massanutten Storybook Trail: An Easy Hike to Far-Reaching Views in Shenandoah County, Mount Rogers: Hike the Appalachian Trail to Virginias Highpoint, Duncan Knob: A Rock Scramble Hike with Rewarding Views Near Luray, Virginia, Apple Orchard Mountain: Hike the Appalachian Trail to Wide-Open Vistas Near Bedford, Virginia. The Sharp Top Shuttle is operated by the same concessionaire that operates the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Rode the shuttle back down. Cant wait To hike it . 85554 Blue Ridge Pkwy, There is no drinking water available on the summit, so carry plenty with you. Theres a shuttle bus that takes people almost to the top. The rock formations on this mountain are impressive! According to official elevations, this Sharp Top doesnt even make the top 50 list. Beware of ticks and flies at the top. In the spring, the thickets of mountain laurel make this an especially beautiful hike. The view of Sharp Top is great. 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. A small visitor center with a few displays of information. Other than that, we had the trail mostly to ourselves. Don't be fooled by the easy start, it gets pretty steep in some places. After lunch, we walked along the water and did a bit of people watching. The Visitors Center was closed. As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. (1), Images This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. And if its your first time here, you definitely need to ascend it one way or another. 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. Breathtaking views from Sharp Top--pretty strenuous hike, but our 4 yr old made it (with a 2hr nap afterward! fantastic hikes right there at the Peaks of Otter. Each room has a beautiful lake view. You have arrived at Sharp Top at the 1.6-mile mark. (1 ), Bluff Mountain (and Alligator Back Cliffs). We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. Concession-operated bus service (one-way or round trip) to within one quarter mile of the top is available seasonally. The trailhead is to the left of the nature center, which is directly across from the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. The only sour note is the ranger who mans the visitor center. Sometimes it sure seems like it. Some stone steps, then a stretch of hiking trail, then more stone steps. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. At the summit of Sharp Top, there are stone walkways, stairs and terraces. 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. 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. People were parking on VA 43 the same concessionaire that operates the Peaks of Otter visitor with! Nervous given the Sharp Top still reigns supreme when it comes to views Top... 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