The This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Begins behind the visitor center. You will be treated with gorgeous views of the area around you. I wish I did it sooner. As you pass through a boulder field, look ahead for a rocky outcropping known as Buzzards Roost (whose overlook is reached by a short spur trail 1.3 miles from the trailhead). I was very proud of them! According to official elevations, this Sharp Top doesnt even make the top 50 list. At the .2-mark, the hiking trail crosses over a stretch of road used to shuttle visitors near the top of Sharp Top. 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. The aptly-named Turtle Rock. Photos (4) Directions. You will get more great views from here and can actually get some nice views of the summit of Sharp Top. Thanks for the visit! 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. Practice Leave No Trace when visiting. There are numerous TRACK Trails in this area include five TRACK trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. 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. Choose the Perfect Gift at One of Our Lodge Shops Gift Shop As expected, the views are spectacular and it was such a sense of accomplishment to complete. It has almost every kind of terrain and some parts are easy and some parts of very difficult. Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space! Make sure you have proper shoes those, flooding is a common thing in this area and a few times my boyfriend and I had to find ways around the trails since they were under water. Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. 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. Stop by to pick up ready-to-eat foods, snacks, bottled water, and more. Dinner at the lodge and a walk around the grounds for photographs. From here, I re-traced my steps back to the parking area. The walk up to Johnson's farm is great and the walk around Abbott lake is a tad easier, and not as time consuming. Its not rugged and jagged, with outcroppings to sit on for scenic views. Repeat, repeat. The Sharp Top Shuttle is operated by the same concessionaire that operates the Peaks of Otter Lodge. 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. NC The trailhead is next to the Sharp Top Store, a small camp store that sells snacks, supplies and souvenirs. 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. There is no drinking water available on the summit, so carry plenty with you. 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. Mountains; . Toggle navigation. He was so friendly and personable! Return to 'Sharp Top Mountain' main page. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Finally, Scottish settlers may have named the Peaks after Ben Otter, a mountain in their homeland that resembles Sharp Top.. Skip the Drive, Enjoy the Ride. As the trail proceeds, youll quickly catch on to a pattern. The easy-to-follow path winds overand sometimes throughroots, rocks, and felled trees. Peak of Otter shouldn't be 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. The trail is moderate with some strenuous climbs. 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. That was a little disappointing I had hoped to hike Sharp Top at the peak of fall color. Beware of ticks and flies at the top. Ive brought my older brother a few times over the last few years. There are a couple of picnic tables located next to the building, and restrooms are in an adjoining wing. Conditions can be icy during the colder months, and there are some high cliffs around the summit. Loved the screen doors, and you sure can't beat the views! Breathtaking views from Sharp Top--pretty strenuous hike, but our 4 yr old made it (with a 2hr nap afterward! 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. The trail is relatively flat with minimal elevation difference. The roost had amazing views, but I did not enjoy climbing up the rock. I have a friend from Charlottesville who isnt a hiking enthusiast who came back from a weekend at Peaks of Otter and raved about the view and claimed that there is also a plane crash site somewhere in the area that she hiked to. Flat Top rises to an elevation of 4,004 feet with many scattered rock outcrops. Prominence is a popular metric for peaks for two reasons: 1) it's objective and . The Pinnacle and Cross Rock are names given to such formations. This trail is one of the three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains called the Peaks of Otter. Not everyone can hike a nearly 4,000-foot mountain, but it would be shame to deny anyone the view, so we provide transportation to within 1,500 feet of the scenic summit! Thanks for the interesting read. And, the Johnson Farm hike was a lovely walk through the woods. Last fall, I hiked Sharp Top Mountain in Bedford, Virginia. Your email address will not be published. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The trail soon crosses a road used by shuttles in summer before ascending more steeply, with dense forest giving way to ever-expanding mountain-and-valley views to the southeast. The view from the top on a clear day you can see mountains in all directions. Their Lake View Restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner in-season. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 15 min to complete. Oddly enough, the Sharp Top Store is probably the last reason anyone stops at this parking area. The one downside to Sharp Top is the crowd of people youll be almost guaranteed to see. Get Directions. As a side note, I drove back by mid-afternoon and it was packed. Junction with Buzzards Roost Spur Trail. Go back the way you came. For some reason, this was the first time Ive taken the option. read more, Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. Unless you started very early, the mountain will be crawling with people who took the bus ride to the top. The crew of 5, all young men on a nighttime low-level navigation training exercise, perished in the crash. 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). The only sour note is the ranger who mans the visitor center. Its fairly relentless uphill for a while. The shuttle departs from the main lodge building. While a hike like this isnt for everybody, the views from the top sure are. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The rock formations on this mountain are impressive! Consider bringing your walking stick (the trail is very rocky in spots). 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. Relax on the outdoor patio after your visit to Sharp Top. Shuttles run from the parking lot to the top of the peak in summer. Sharp Top is 3.4 miles round-trip. A loop trail, approximately two miles long, which follows a section of the Harkening Hill loop trail. Sometimes it sure seems like it. Required fields are marked *. 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. Discover this 5.3-km out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia. If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. We got a really early start on our morning, and were headed up the trail by 9:30 or so. We settled for sandwiches instead. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Sharp Top Mountain Climber's Log on SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. gkaufman - Apr 17, 2009 7:33 am Date Climbed: Apr 11, 2009 . Red Tape There is no red tape of which I'm aware. (1), Images Continue on (yes, more steps). It does not store any personal data. The shuttle delivers visitors to within .25-mile of the summit. Food was good. It apparently used to be a concession stand. more. Sharp Top Trail Shuttle The Sharp Top Store also sells walk-up Sharp Top Mountain shuttle tickets. I discovered you blog just a few days ago. From the parking area, this hike took me nearly two hours, including time spent at Sharp Top and Buzzards Roost. Keep in mind that you still have a rugged quarter-mile hike from the bus stop to the peak, and don't bother if it is overcast because you won't see a thing at the top. Almost immediately upon reaching the summit, youll pass the cabin. It was a painfully strenuous 1.5 mile hike up dirt paths, rock scrambles and steps. 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. The GPS coordinates are 37.4334709 (latitude), -79.6050358 (longitude) and the approximate elevation is 3,829 feet (1,167 meters) above sea level. Lately, Christine and I have made this hike a nearly annual fall tradition. Peak of Otter shouldn't be Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. Its a tough little climb, but the summit is spectacular. The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. It is a steep trail, and it took about 1.5hrs to get to the top. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? 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. To the South, you will see Turtle Rock (which some of the adventurous will find a way to climb up it) near the roof of the cabin. The trailhead is beside the camp store. The Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is small but the ranger is very knowledgable and friendly. As I mentioned above, there are a lot of great places nearby for a picnic or you can dine at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Are pack animals (pack goats) allowed on this trail? there is no public driving up there its too narrow . 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. 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 . Cant wait To hike it . For a leisurely walk, allow one hour. Yes, wellsort of. Question about Sharp Top- is it 3.4 mile round trip or one way? (TRACK trail). Sharp Top can be accessed from the north or the south along the Appalachian Trail. Is it possible to hike up and ride down? It's a tough walk, especially if you have any issues with your knees but I had my cane which helped immensely. 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. 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. Trail is ADA Accessible.This is also a kid-friendly TRACK trail. Sharp Top Mountain is located in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. By then it was open. I had an inner ear virus a few years ago, and have suffered serious bouts of vertigo ever since. The uphill grade starts of gently, on a mostly smooth and wide trail. I grew up in nearby Lynchburg and I couldnt even tell you the number of times I have hiked this trail. Yes, Sharp Top is strenuous, but well worth it. Each room has a beautiful lake view. The shuttle drops hikers within 0.25 miles of the summit, for a shorter, though still strenuous climb up the stairs to the top. Experiencing this mountain cascade is well worth the effort. The inscription reads: From Otters summit, Virginias loftiest peak, to crown a monument to Virginias noblest son.. Ive outlined three hiking options that range from 2.8 to 3.6 miles. They have parking at the bottom of the hiking trail and then you just walk up. The trail soon coils steeply to the summit. A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. All of the staff were extremely nice and friendly. I HATE going down but love going up! Rode the shuttle back down. The Sharp Top Trail begins at the back of the parking area. Check w/ the Lodge regarding the shuttle schedule, it only runs certain days and certain hours depending on the season. When I visited in October, the parking lot was full at 9 AM and people were parking on VA 43. Check out this 1.1-mile out-and-back trail near Blairsville, Georgia. 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. We are a group in our 60's and wondered about the trail difficulty etc and virtually couldn't get any information from him. So naive on my part, the shuttle bus only takes you partway - around 2500 ft and you hike the rest of the way on a very steep trail 1500 ft up. Its great and so helpful. Every available space was taken, as was every patch of grass that could fit a vehicle. read more. I might suggest looking there. Pick-up locations: The Free Shuttle operates all year round. Once you leave the Roost, go back to the junction and take a left down the trail to make your way back to the car. I managed it with breaks every few hundred feet. The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. 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. For some reason, this is always the only part of the Sharp Top trail I remember. It was cool and brilliantly sunny. The Falling Water Cascades Trail is a 1.4-mile loop hike that leads to a series of cascades on Fallingwater Creek. 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. 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. Sharp Top is the most famous hike with its spectacular 360 view at the top. Although this was later proved inaccurate by the 5,729-foot Mount Rogers, Sharp Top still reigns supreme when it comes to views. The trail is almost all uphill, somewhat steep at times, with plenty of rocks, roots and stairs along the way. 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. 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. Steps ascend from parking lot and nature center. You will see the Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake to the North. This woodland trail climbs to a ridge where distant views are rewarding. The Washington Monument, completed in 1884, contains an engraved stone block recognizing 3,875-foot Sharp Top Mountain as Virginias highest peak. Do not forget your camera. The beds were surprisingly comfy. (36), Climber's Log Entries Of which I 'm sure would be challenging was the first time taken! Trail shuttle the Sharp Top can be accessed from the parking lot to Peaks... 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