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. On weekends, the parking lot can overflow. A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. Sign up for Outside+ today. We are a group in our 60's and wondered about the trail difficulty etc and virtually couldn't get any information from him. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. Some stone steps, then a stretch of hiking trail, then more stone steps. --Mark Twain. From the parking area, this hike took me nearly two hours, including time spent at Sharp Top and Buzzards Roost. "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." At 1.2 miles, you reach a junction. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 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 was not deterred, however. The lodge offers great food. It is indeed a popular place! 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. 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. It seems they may be short-staffed, and the waitstaff and bartender were extremely nice and apologetic but obviously overwhelmed. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. A spur path near the summit leads to Balance Rock, an immense boulder balanced on a small rock. Sharp Top is located at milepost 85.6 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We decided to participate in a special program w/ Thomas Jefferson aka Bill Barker through Peaks of Otter, Poplar Forest, and the National Park Service. I believe waymarking.com has the precise coordinates. Mountains; . We decided to brave the Sharp Top based on the reviews. We then opted to return to Peaks of Otter for a shower and dinner. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The inside is an empty room concrete floor, fireplace and small windows that look out to the view beyond. Here are trail regulations. You can usually spot the bus crowd easily theyre never sweaty and are often wearing dressier clothing and insensible shoes. For the full Sharp Top hike (3.3 miles, out-and-back), the trail begins with a dozen stone steps right. Pass an old stone building then take the last few steps to the top for the full panorama. My wife and visit this area quite often. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center: Located at MP86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Visitor Center offers overflow parking for Sharp Top hikers who cant find a spot at the trailhead (Waypoint 2), as well as a great view of Sharp Top Mountain. 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. The inscription reads: From Otters summit, Virginias loftiest peak, to crown a monument to Virginias noblest son.. Yes, Sharp Top is strenuous, but well worth it. (15), Additions & Corrections 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. I went with family, friends, church groups, and scouts. Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. For an optional detour (and overlook), follow the signed spur trail for about 600 feet to Buzzards Roost. The roost had amazing views, but I did not enjoy climbing up the rock. I was nervous given the Sharp Top Trail was rated as hard and elevation gain neared 1,300 feet. Once up on top, the views were amazing! Stop by to pick up ready-to-eat foods, snacks, bottled water, and more. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? AT Northbound (from the south) From Blue Ridge Gap, via the AT, hike 3.1 miles north to Bly Gap, then less than 1/2 mile to highpoint of the AT along Sharp Top's ridge (total one-way distance to high top is approximately 3.5 miles). As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. The Pinnacle and Cross Rock are names given to such formations. This was also a lot of fun, not as strenuous but still a work out. Peaks of Otter has some of the most popular hiking trails in Virginia! This is also where you can purchase tickets for the Sharp Top Shuttlea bus to the top of Sharp Top Mountain. Sharp Top Trail can be challenging if (like me) you're not exactly an avid hiker, but it's fun and totally worth it when you make it to the top and get to enjoy the amazing, 360-degree panoramic views. What was I going to do at the top of Sharp Top Mountain for an hour? Whoever goes here next should find out where this wreckage is. The view at the top is incredible. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, VA, USA. 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. Its a very strange sensation. Near the end of the trail, there are quite a few stone stairs to climb. Its great and so helpful. Continue left on the trail to the summit. Youll still have a short hike from the bus drop-off and lots of rocks to scramble on and views to enjoy! My family used to regularly have picnic lunches at Peaks of Otter, so this is a place Ive been visiting all of my life. Photos (4) Directions. 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." Even better, you are welcomed by a large Sharp Top Mountain sign. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. He was so friendly and personable! Last fall, I hiked Sharp Top Mountain in Bedford, Virginia. If you like the stair master at the gym, you will love the ups and downs of the hike. Trail runners are common on Sharp Top most mornings. The trail is 1.6 miles to the top from the Visitor's Center. 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. Hiked to the peak of Sharp Top with my family recently. Weve done that in past years, and the foliage makes the view even nicer! In the spring, the thickets of mountain laurel make this an especially beautiful hike. Sharp Top is the most famous hike with its spectacular 360 view at the top. Yes, wellsort of. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. 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. Sharp Top Mountain is located in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. We then drove a short ways the other direction from Peaks of Otter to the Cascades Trail Hike. After lunch, we walked along the water and did a bit of people watching. The views are truly spectacular. For some reason, this is always the only part of the Sharp Top trail I remember. Carefully climb the massive rock or take a short spur path on the right for views. The Ultimate Roommate Compatibility Test: Backpacking the Oregon Coast Trail, 9 Hiking Adventures to Make Your Spring Pure Gold, 9 Spectacular Early Spring Backpacking Trips You Can Do Right Now, The 7 Best Hikes Backpackers Editors Did in 2022, The Best San Diego Hikes for Your Next Coastal Adventure. The beds were surprisingly comfy. 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. Ive outlined three hiking options that range from 2.8 to 3.6 miles. Repeat, repeat. (36), Climber's Log Entries But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. (1 ), Bluff Mountain (and Alligator Back Cliffs). Loved the screen doors, and you sure can't beat the views! There are plenty of places to rest at the summit and if you pack a snack / wine/ tea / lunch you can enjoy it up in the clouds. Tattered shreds of old blacktop mark the way as you approach the final ascent. Its nice that most everyone can enjoy the summit views. But after each little flat spot, youre guaranteed to have more climbing. The views from the top really are oustanding, they have several areas with railings and stone walls so it's not too dangerous (though the kids were scared).Pros: Excellent views, good workout, fun trail to climb, and their is a bus/shuttle that will take you most of the way if you can't or don't want to make the climb.Cons: Plenty of nats/bugs in certain sections, and as I said, a pretty steep slog up to the top.Recommendations: The hike is moderately strenuous so take the bus up and/or down if you don't have the energy or time. All Rights Reserved. So many upwards hikers commented on them! This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. Youll still have to climb a short, moderately steep distance http://www.peaksofotter.com/Sharp-Top-Shuttle.aspx, No there is no way to drive .there is a seasonal bus that will take you up for five dollars round-trip ,but you still have to walk the other one fourth of a mile .it only takes like 20 minutes to walk up from the bus stop where It drops you as far up as it can go . I think its great that a bus ride is available for people who arent physically able to hike up, but I see lots of young families that I wish would give hiking a chance. At the summit of Sharp Top, there are stone walkways, stairs and terraces. As we hiked up the trail, we passed several downhill hikers on their way back from watching sunrise atop the summit. According to a sign near the summit, the boulders formed after diorite rock split apart along weather-weakened seams. Go back the way you came. For a short paved walk, look next door to Peaks of Otter Lodge. As a side note, I drove back by mid-afternoon and it was packed. On the way down, Adam and I took the side trail to visit the Buzzards Roost. Thank you for signing up for email alerts! The aptly-named Turtle Rock. Tags blue ridge parkway mountains scenic view Once we got to the top we were surprised to see how much was up there. 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. I turned left for Sharp Top, but hit Buzzards Roost on the way down. Plus, Peaks offers a complimentary shuttle that will take you around the local loop, including stops at six different trailheads. Sharp Top has such a special place in my heart. The only sour note is the ranger who mans the visitor center. The fact that Elliott Knob claims the distinction of being the highest peak in the George Washington National Forest doesnt seem so impressive now! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". They have parking at the bottom of the hiking trail and then you just walk up. Its covered in the post. gkaufman - Apr 17, 2009 7:33 am Date Climbed: Apr 11, 2009 . Located in the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia, Sharp Top is by far the most popular of the three Peaks of Otter, standing proud at 3,875 feet tall. We actually opted to walk the gravel road down the mountain to save my knees for the next hike. Begins behind the visitor center. When To Climb All year. At the summit, there were no more than a half-dozen hikers. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on Everyone else was walking to the top. Shuttle Service Updates Jan. 9 - 22 Schedule Jan. 23 - Feb. 2 Schedule . Hiking along the bus road is prohibited. Be sure to carry enough snacks and water with you for this hike. I was surprised so many people had never seen trekking poles before, but I suppose Sharp Top has a very high percentage of people who arent regular hikers. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. There is no drinking water available on the summit, so carry plenty with you. Sharp Top Mountain looms large in the Peaks of Otter landscape in more ways than one. Beware of ticks and flies at the top. While I personally dont think it is that difficult, I can understand some people feeling that way. Asheville Sharp Top Trail. The hostess had to pitch in to help serve us. I was also thrilled that I seemed to arrive at just the right time, a few minutes before 8 am on a Saturday. The shuttle departs from the main lodge building. The view of Sharp Top is great. Even the parking area for the Peaks of Otter visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity. I dont know why, but I always seem to block the steep and rocky parts out of my mind. Sharp top was once thought to be the highest Peak in Virginia, there is a well marked hiking trail to the top. The Falling Water Cascades Trail is a 1.4-mile loop hike that leads to a series of cascades on Fallingwater Creek. Ill try to get him to haul his cookies up the mountain again next year. The least difficult of these trails, is a one-mile loop around Abbott Lake. I was so glad to have my trekking poles on the steep, uneven ground. Look southeast to the farm-dotted community of Bedford and west to the Shenandoah Valley. You will see a day-use only cabin at the summit and stairs to different platforms to soak in the views. He is not cordial or informative but simply rude. 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+ Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The shuttle delivers visitors to within .25-mile of the summit. Sharp Top (3,875 ft.): Pass the empty stone building (a former concession stand), then climb a few steps to the boulder-covered summit. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. 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. I grew up in nearby Lynchburg and I couldnt even tell you the number of times I have hiked this trail. We're all about skipping the drive, and enjoying the ride when it comes to skiing at Mount Washington. The stone was even inscribed to honor George Washington. Red Tape There is no red tape of which I'm aware. Be aware that weather and road surface conditions change quickly. there is no public driving up there its too narrow . This could be due to the fact they have just reopened and are under new management.