Stone staircases were sporadically placed for the last half mile, but I'm not really sure why. Sharp Top Trail in Bedford, VA was a grade A hike from bottom to top. It was a painfully strenuous 1.5 mile hike up dirt paths, rock scrambles and steps. Ask Nikzleez about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask 802jenniferp about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. Disappointed it has gone down hill now. There are many photo opportunities on your drive to Sharp Top, so be sure to have your camera ready. It was a delicious meal and a relaxing time. Inside you can buy pre-packaged food and snacks, beer and wine, camping supplies, and other sundries. Mild hike - but there are a lot of steps. Virginia, United States, North America. Round-trip tickets for adults are $12, children (12 and under) are $8. But it's pleasant enough for a break in the drive. The Peaks of Otter and Sharp Top aren’t hard to find – just follow these directions . Sharp Top, Flat Top, Harkening Hill, Abbott Lake, Fallingwater Cascades, Johnson Farm, Elk Run Loop & Polly Wood's Ordinary Amazon.com Widgets The 4200 acre Peaks of Otter Recreation Area is a popular destination for Blue Ridge Parkway visitors, whether to spend the day, stop for the night or … 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. Download the Peaks of Otter trails map. 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. Buzzards have made this area their home, so you will see them in abundance, soaring high above the boulders. Sharp Top Hike: We parked and began the hike at the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center and crossed the BRP staying on the sidewalk for about 200 yards and then took a right across Route 43 heading to the Sharp Top parking area (you could also park here). 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. Stop here for a restroom break before beginning your hike. There is a lot to do here, especially for hikers; there are six trails of varying degrees of difficulty. 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. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/sharp-top-trail We first ventured to the Peaks of Otter in April 2018 when we took to Sharp Top’s sister, Flat 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. The view of Sharp Top is great. The Peaks and Sharp Top Are Easy to Find. more, This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC, Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. We got a really early start on our morning, and were headed up the trail by 9:30 or so. Peaks of Otter Hiking Trails. 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. Bus rides to within 1,500 feet of the Sharp Top summit are available at a station not far from the visitor center. Stone staircases were sporadically placed for the last half mile, but I'm not really sure why. View Details. The Peaks of Otter is a popular Blue Ridge Parkway destination. Getting There Sharp Top Mountain is located in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. (The bus does not run during the winter months.) Inside you can buy pre-packaged food and snacks, beer and wine, camping supplies, and other sundries. Sharp Top Trail. 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. Though closed at the time, it was a good starting... Great place to stop off and admire the views and maybe eat lunch. The two feature mountains are Sharp Top and Flat Top. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. This is the easiest of the Peaks of Otter hiking trails Virginia. Tickets are sold at the Sharp Top Store, located at the bottom of Sharp Top Trail, where the bus departs. The Peaks of Otter is a popular Blue Ridge Parkway destination. Each of the peaks have well-traveled hiking trails, but Sharp Top Trail is by far the most popular trail of the three. Though closed at the time, it was a good starting... The third peak of the trio is Harkening Hill, at an elevation of 3364 feet. 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. The Peaks and Sharp Top Are Easy to Find. Finally, Scottish settlers may have named the Peaks after Ben Otter, a mountain in their homeland that resembles Sharp Top. read more. Sharp Top Mountain is a popular hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and is one of the three "Peaks of Otter". This strenuous hike will present some obstacles along the way, so be sure to wear comfortable, appropriate footwear. Also, if you are afraid of heights or these make you uncomfortable, you might want to pass this one by. Once you get hooked, you will be returning year after year. 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. Each of the peaks have well-traveled hiking trails, but Sharp Top Trail is by far the most popular trail of the three. Flat Top Trail A strenuous 4.4-mile hike to the summit of Flat Top peak. This image is available in both a square format (8 by 8, 12 by 12, 16 by 16) as There are plenty of spots for photo ops. Its pyramid shape makes it a distinctive landmark from many distant locations around Central Virginia. Gorgeous views of the Peaks of Otter and great hike to the top. 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. If you need additional provisions, visit the Country Store. Pricing, of course, is subject to change. The two feature mountains are Sharp Top and Flat Top. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center: Sharp Top Trail - See 155 traveler reviews, 179 candid photos, and great deals for Virginia, at Tripadvisor. 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. 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. The Peaks of Otter and Sharp Top aren’t hard to find – just follow these directions. Visit the Peaks of Otter Lodge website to see available dates and book reservations online (you can also call 866-387-9905). 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 top was astounding and well worth it. If it isn’t too crowded, you can climb up on one of the boulders for a must-needed rest. Campground almost completely empty. 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. Once thought to be Virginia’s highest peak, at 3,862 feet, it dwarfs Flat Top by 132 feet. The Sharp Top Shuttle is currently closed for the season. From the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, travel north up the Blue Ridge Parkway for about 3 miles, where you will come to small parking area. 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'. 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. Continue your visit to www.tripadvisor.com. Warning, this is a weather dependent activity. Sharp Top Mountain used to be considered the highest point in Virginia. Dinner at the lodge and a walk around the grounds for photographs. The Visitor Center was closed when we were there but we really came for the hike anyway. Also, bring bug spray. Peaks of Otter Sharp Top Trail : The Sharp Top Trail, despite its strenuous ascent of 1,400 feet in only 1.5 miles, has been one of most popular recreation trails in the country since the nineteenth century. See our Eating & Sleeping page for more information. 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. The Visitors Center was closed. 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 has some of the best views in central Virginia. The Blue Ridge Parkway offers a multitude of amazing sights and recreational opportunities along its 469 mile length. Flat Top Trail. It’s not uncommon to see deer feeding alongside the road, and they are usually more than willing to pose for pictures. Consisting of boardwalks, pavement and gravel, this scenic trail is … 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. Review of Campground only. Getting There Sharp Top Mountain is located in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. https://www.theoutbound.com/virginia/hiking/hike-the-sharp-top-trail Sharp Top Trail. We decided to brave the Sharp Top based on the reviews. Staff are a little quirky but... The time required, of course, will depend on your fitness level and how many times you want to stop along the way. The Peaks of Otter and Sharp Top aren’t hard to find – just follow these directions. Bus rides to within 1,500 feet of the Sharp Top summit are available at a station not far from the visitor center. Stopped at the park to go hiking and picnicking. We got a really early start on our morning, and were headed up the trail by 9:30 or so. 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. 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. It was one of the best ways I could have spent a morning! 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. At Mile Post 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you'll find the scenic Peaks of Otter: Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. Might be why it was virtually empty. 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. 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. And, layering your clothing will keep you comfortable on the hike up, on your descent, and all the stops in between. read more, Great place to stop off and admire the views and maybe eat lunch. The well-established trail leads along a pretty trail with some decent views along the way. 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. At Mile Post 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you'll find the scenic Peaks of Otter: Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. 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. Sharp Top Mountain belongs to the Peaks of Otter Area in the Southern Appalachian Range, near Bedford, Virginia. Check with the Peaks of Otter … 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. When you reach the fork that leads to Buzzards Roost, you are 1900 feet from the top of Sharp Top. 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 - … Was told once at the campground that generators were not allowed. There are many photo opportunities on your drive to Sharp Top, so be sure to have your camera ready. A one-way ticket (up the mountain) is $10 for adults and $6 for children. I managed it with breaks every few hundred feet. Peaks of Otter Hiking Trails 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. Several large boulders and a platform built into the rocks provide a 360 degree view of the Blue Ridge. Does not indicate that on website so very misleading. Related Activities Hiking Peaks of Otter has some of the most popular hiking trails in Virginia! 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. 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