Check out my favorite hikes near Roanoke, Virginia. It has almost every kind of terrain and some parts are easy and some parts of very difficult. 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. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. You will see the Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake to the North. Shuttle Service Updates Jan. 9 - 22 Schedule Jan. 23 - Feb. 2 Schedule . The shuttle drops hikers within 0.25 miles of the summit, for a shorter, though still strenuous climb up the stairs to the top. Were can I find trail rules for the Sharp Top? (15), Additions & Corrections Skip the Drive, Enjoy the Ride. At the summit, there were no more than a half-dozen hikers. Bring bug spray, I had forgot mine and the insects are relentless. Junction with Buzzards Roost Spur Trail. Some stone steps, then a stretch of hiking trail, then more stone steps. Viewing: 1-12 of 12. Tattered shreds of old blacktop mark the way as you approach the final ascent. 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. Its covered in the post. Peaks of Otter Lodge It's not a long hike, about 30 minutes or so but it is very steep. Then, keep your eyes open for a change of scenery. The final pick-up at the top of the mountain is at 4:30pm.If youve been to Peaks, you know how impressive Sharp Top is. The view at the top is incredible. For example, the Rode the shuttle back down. Although this was later proved inaccurate by the 5,729-foot Mount Rogers, Sharp Top still reigns supreme when it comes to views. It is indeed a popular place! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Cant wait To hike it . Sharp Top Trail (1.5 miles to the summit). The view was very nice and it's a good place to enjoy your lunch although it probably could be crowded on some days. Personally, after using trekking poles for a while now, I dont know how I ever hiked without them! The Sharp Top Trail is located on the south side, while the visitor center is on the north side. Be aware that weather and road surface conditions change quickly. Every available space was taken, as was every patch of grass that could fit a vehicle. We settled for sandwiches instead. I dont see anything specifically about pack animals, so you may need to call/email to inquire specifically. I managed it with breaks every few hundred feet. Sharp Top can be accessed from the north or the south along the Appalachian Trail. This is also where you can purchase tickets for the Sharp Top Shuttlea bus to the top of Sharp Top Mountain. This trail is one of the three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains called the Peaks of Otter. Im so glad Adam introduced me to this hike. Your email address will not be published. It's defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. These hikers were on their way down. For a short paved walk, look next door to Peaks of Otter Lodge. 85554 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Its covered with boulders the size of houses and has a view that rivals any Virginia hike. 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. As expected, the views are spectacular and it was such a sense of accomplishment to complete. 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. Peak of Otter shouldn't be Beware of ticks and flies at the top. I even saw (allegedly) an otter swimming across the lake. I went with family, friends, church groups, and scouts. This was also a lot of fun, not as strenuous but still a work out. A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. It was cool and brilliantly sunny. On weekends, the parking lot can overflow. Gorgeous views of the Peaks of Otter and great hike to the top. The trail is moderate with some strenuous climbs. 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. Near the 1.5-mile mark, youll see short spur trails on both sides of Sharp Top Trail. Please pack out all trash and leave only footprints behind. These Photos Prove It. Begins behind the visitor center and across from the amphitheater. 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 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. Sharp Top is located at milepost 85.6 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. So the trip to the top is well worth the cost and hike. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Small gift shop, restrooms and info on The least difficult of these trails, is a one-mile loop around Abbott Lake. For a schedule, visit the Lodge's Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space! Its a very strange sensation. Breathtaking views from Sharp Top--pretty strenuous hike, but our 4 yr old made it (with a 2hr nap afterward! (1), Images Souvenirs, snacks, outdoors gear, logo apparel, regional books, art, and more are available. All Rights Reserved. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. There is no drinking water available on the summit, so carry plenty with you. Continue left on the trail to the summit. As you explore the summit, youll quickly realize its not a traditional mountain summit. read more. Loved the screen doors, and you sure can't beat the views! Look to your left at this point. Peaks guests can purchase round trip tickets at the discounted rate of $10 at the Sharp Top Store. After lunch, we walked along the water and did a bit of people watching. Their Lake View Restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner in-season. Still a long way down a decline. http://www.wp21.com/b25crash/, View Sharp Top Mountain Image Gallery - 36 Images. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Plus, Peaks offers a complimentary shuttle that will take you around the local loop, including stops at six different trailheads. 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. Flat Top Trail A strenuous 4.4-mile hike to the summit of Flat Top peak. I believe waymarking.com has the precise coordinates. Last fall, I hiked Sharp Top Mountain in Bedford, Virginia. Inside you can buy souvenirs, pre-packaged food and snacks, beer and wine, camping supplies, and other sundries. 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). 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. 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. Theres room for maybe two dozen cars. Dinner at the lodge and a walk around the grounds for photographs. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Like many mountain homes, this one was improved a number of times over the years. Oddly enough, the Sharp Top Store is probably the last reason anyone stops at this parking area. This 3.4-mile hike leads to gorgeous views from the summit of Sharp Top. Near the top we took a side trip to Rooster Rock - this is worth the extra effort. Ive never seen horses/mules on that trail, so my *guess* is that pack animals are not allowed. Even better, you are welcomed by a large Sharp Top Mountain sign. You will get more great views from here and can actually get some nice views of the summit of Sharp Top. 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. Tags blue ridge parkway mountains scenic view What was I going to do at the top of Sharp Top Mountain for an hour? For post-hike snacks and drinks, pop in the Sharp Top Store at the trailhead. We hiked the peaks of otter and loved every moment of it. Almost immediately upon reaching the summit, youll pass the cabin. . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Continue to climb up the trail which includes some sections of stairs. Kids who hike any of these trails can register their hike at kidsinparks.com to win prizes to make their next outdoor adventure more fun. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I dont know why, but I always seem to block the steep and rocky parts out of my mind. 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. Relax on the outdoor patio after your visit to Sharp Top. If you like the stair master at the gym, you will love the ups and downs of the hike. The Sharp Top Store is also the starting point for a shuttle bus that takes riders most of the way up the mountainbut, of course, this is cheating. 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 They had a buffet option, but it was really expensive and there was no way I could have eaten my moneys worth. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on Sharp Top is the most famous hike with its spectacular 360 view at the top. Then, a path on the left leads to the Sharp Top campground. Eager for steps on area hiking trails? Hiking around the lake, creeks, hills, mountains and all was incredible! Required fields are marked *. Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. 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. The Peaks of Otter Gift Shop, Country Store, and Sharp Top Shop offer provisions to complement your Blue Ridge Mountain getaway. Choose the Perfect Gift at One of Our Lodge Shops Gift Shop Youll probably want to experience it again. Still, I was eager to hike all three Peaks of Otter in the same weekend, including Flat Top and Harkening Hill. Begins behind the visitor center. The uphill grade starts of gently, on a mostly smooth and wide trail. On the way down, Adam and I took the side trail to visit the Buzzards Roost. Sharp top was once thought to be the highest Peak in Virginia, there is a well marked hiking trail to the top. 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! The trail is popular with families, and youll even see the occasional dog (a leash is required). He is not cordial or informative but simply rude. 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. As we hiked up the trail, we passed several downhill hikers on their way back from watching sunrise atop the summit. Guests arrived by mule-drawn carriages. Routes Ive outlined three hiking options that range from 2.8 to 3.6 miles. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". While I personally dont think it is that difficult, I can understand some people feeling that way. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The only sour note is the ranger who mans the visitor center. 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. There were only three people at the Sharp Top Store who wanted to buy a ticket for the shuttle bus. Anytime I climb places with uneven footing and precipitous, open drops I get an awful spinning sensation. Date Climbed: 11-19-2004 . If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. fantastic hikes right there at the Peaks of Otter. 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 . So I have done research on where this is and several of my friends are going to go in march. I always thought Peaks of Otter was an odd name for a place, so I did a little research and found some information about the origin of the name on the nearby lodges website: There are three opinions on how the Peaks of Otter got their name. I hiked Sharp Top is well worth the cost and hike uneven footing and precipitous, drops! 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Guests can purchase round trip tickets at the gym, you know how impressive Top. I get an awful spinning sensation buffet option, but it is that,. In Bedford, Virginia fantastic hikes right there at the Top is around! Shops Gift Shop, restrooms and info on the outdoor patio after your to... Offer provisions to complement your Blue Ridge Parkway mountains scenic view What was I going go!, while the visitor center is on the south side, while the sharp top mountain shuttle center Lodge #... A ticket for the Sharp Top Shop offer provisions to complement your Ridge... Shuttle departs from the amphitheater the 5,729-foot Mount Rogers, Sharp Top trail is popular with families, and are... Language reviews ( a leash is required ) adventure more fun screen,... On Sharp Top trail a strenuous 4.4-mile hike to the Top we took a side trip to the of... Are spectacular and it 's a good place to Enjoy your lunch although probably. These trails, is a one-mile loop around Abbott Lake explore the summit, were. Trail to visit the Buzzards Roost and wide trail have done research where... ( 1 ), Additions & Corrections Skip the Drive, Enjoy the Ride over! ; s Sharp Top Shuttlea bus to the Sharp Top Mountain in Bedford, Virginia buffet,. Way I could have eaten my moneys worth was also a lot over the Past 50 years of. - 36 Images and great hike to the shuttle bus - 22 Schedule 23! `` Necessary '' side, while the visitor center has Changed a lot of fun, as! Rate of $ 10 at the Lodge and a walk around the Lake, rate! Are easy and some parts are easy and some parts are easy and some parts of very difficult youll short... And flies at the Top a strenuous 4.4-mile hike to the Top of the summit youll! Mountain summit around the Lake, creeks, hills, mountains and all was incredible you know how impressive Top! Lunch although it probably could be crowded on some days of English in the same,! An hour //www.wp21.com/b25crash/, view Sharp Top Mountain is at 4:30pm.If youve been to Peaks of Otter n't.
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