Last pick-up at top of mountain = 4:30 PM. It was closed for lunch break so we hiked the Elk Run Trail. Begins behind the visitor center and across from the amphitheater. Experiencing this mountain cascade is well worth the effort. Whoever goes here next should find out where this wreckage is. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Bring bug spray, I had forgot mine and the insects are relentless. Do not forget your camera. Is it possible to hike up and ride down? 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. STP010 . One of the most popular trails is all of Virginia is the strenuous climb up to the rocky summit of Sharp Top Mountain (3,875 feet), This peak has attracted hikers for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. read more. 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. Sharp Top Mountain, named for its pointy summit, looms over historic Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake. The aptly-named Turtle Rock. Sharp Top has such a special place in my heart. It was a painfully strenuous 1.5 mile hike up dirt paths, rock scrambles and steps. The inside is an empty room concrete floor, fireplace and small windows that look out to the view beyond. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Peak of Otter shouldn't be For a less crowded experience, consider relaxing at the Buzzards Roost spur rather than hiking all the way up to the summit. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. more. Check out my favorite hikes near Roanoke, Virginia. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. Abbott Lake and Flat Top Mountain (just taller at 4,001 feet) are visible to the north. But I have to admit that mountain of fried chicken on the buffet table looked very compelling! As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. I believe waymarking.com has the precise coordinates. There is also a separate cliff formation on the other side of Sharp Top called Buzzard's Roost, which also has good views. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' There's something for everyone! Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Yes, wellsort of. I encountered few peak-bound hikers on this hike. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Plenty of shade though. This trail drops 260 feet below the Fallingwater Trail Parking Area and hikers should be prepared to climb that elevation on their return. Tattered shreds of old blacktop mark the way as you approach the final ascent. If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. (1), Images Like many mountain homes, this one was improved a number of times over the years. The Washington Monument, completed in 1884, contains an engraved stone block recognizing 3,875-foot Sharp Top Mountain as Virginias highest peak. Continue on (yes, more steps). 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. For some reason, this is always the only part of the Sharp Top trail I remember. Sharp Top is the most famous hike with its spectacular 360 view at the top. According to a sign near the summit, the boulders formed after diorite rock split apart along weather-weakened seams. We go in two weeks to sharp top. As the trail proceeds, youll quickly catch on to a pattern. Question about Sharp Top- is it 3.4 mile round trip or one way? Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 15 min to complete. Any suggestions? Allow two hours for hiking up and one hour for hiking down. Sharp Top Trail. Sharp Top Mountain looms large in the Peaks of Otter landscape in more ways than one. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Typically, we pack a picnic but this time we decided to try the restaurant at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Ive never seen horses/mules on that trail, so my *guess* is that pack animals are not allowed. As the summit draws near, youll find yourself hiking between and around gigantic boulders. The Visitor Center was closed when we were there but we really came for the hike anyway. These are the paths leading up from the Sharp Top mountain bus stop. Don't be fooled by the easy start, it gets pretty steep in some places. The trailhead is next to the Sharp Top Store, a small camp store that sells snacks, supplies and souvenirs. For example, the A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. 85554 Blue Ridge Pkwy, The trail is popular with families, and youll even see the occasional dog (a leash is required). A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. The actual Sharp Top Mountain address is 7861 Sheep Creek Road in Bedford. Thanks for sharing! 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. , 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. Youll probably want to experience it again. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Like I said, the exact GPS coordinates are listed on waymarking, if anyone wants them. After passing the building, the path winds between the stones up to the highest spot. Mountains; . We are glad we stopped in and very much enjoyed our visit. The shuttle delivers visitors to within .25-mile of the summit. All vehicles accessing Mt Seymour between Oct 1 - Mar 31 must be equipped with winter tires in good condition, showing either the peaked mountain/snowflake symbol or M+S. Avoid the exposed peak during storms. Ill try to get him to haul his cookies up the mountain again next year. Bedford, VA 24523. 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. Ive outlined three hiking options that range from 2.8 to 3.6 miles. . The summit of Sharp Top is impressive. 199 Hemphill Knob Rd The Sharp Top Shuttle is operated by the same concessionaire that operates the Peaks of Otter Lodge. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. We never made it up to the intensity of running the mountain, but it was some good exercise. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Sharp Top Hike Length: 3.3 miles round trip Difficulty: Strenuous Elevation Gain: 1253ft over 1.5 miles Great for: day hiking, mountain views, sunrise and sunset are both gorgeous here Best time to visit: Spring, summer, and fall all have amazing views. Its fairly relentless uphill for a while. My wife and are senior citizens and taking our time we did make it all the way to the top. According to official elevations, this Sharp Top doesnt even make the top 50 list. 100-703 Broughton Street Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W1E2 +1-866-445-8259 support@luckytogocanada.com 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. On this trail, hikers can experience the changing forest ecology as they climb or descend 1,600 feet from the Parkway trail heads. there is no public driving up there its too narrow . Even the parking area for the Peaks of Otter visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity. 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). You will see a day-use only cabin at the summit and stairs to different platforms to soak in the views. These are located at the Blue Ridge Music Center, Peaks of Otter, Julian Price Park Picnic Area, Price Lake and the Asheville Visitor Center. Return to 'Sharp Top Mountain' main page. read more, Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. It is a steep trail, and it took about 1.5hrs to get to the top. To reach the trailhead, cross the Blue Ridge Parkway on a pedestrian sidewalk. You start up the trail near the nature center. Look to your left at this point. Shuttle Service Updates Jan. 9 - 22 Schedule Jan. 23 - Feb. 2 Schedule . Sharptop Mountain. Once up on top, the views were amazing! The Sharp Top Trail is located on the south side, while the visitor center is on the north side. 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. We settled for sandwiches instead. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. They have parking at the bottom of the hiking trail and then you just walk up. We are visiting VA for three weeks staying in Vesuvius. The Falling Water Cascades Trail is a 1.4-mile loop hike that leads to a series of cascades on Fallingwater Creek. 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. Steps ascend from parking lot and nature center. Cant wait To hike it . Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. It is a moderately strenuous trail and is self-guiding with written displays describing the forest community. A small visitor center with a few displays of information. The Peaks of Otter Gift Shop, Country Store, and Sharp Top Shop offer provisions to complement your Blue Ridge Mountain getaway. It's defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. It was far from the quiet, peaceful scene I met at the start of my hike. The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. 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. The shuttle drops hikers within 0.25 miles of the summit, for a shorter, though still strenuous climb up the stairs to the top. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on The view of Sharp Top is great. The shuttle is a good option for those either not interested or not able to hike all the way to the top. 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. Sharp Top (3,875 ft.): Pass the empty stone building (a former concession stand), then climb a few steps to the boulder-covered summit. Once we got to the top we were surprised to see how much was up there. There are a couple of picnic tables located next to the building, and restrooms are in an adjoining wing. We have a 4and 6 year old girls. 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 Sharp Top Shuttle Schedule Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. Practice Leave No Trace when visiting. Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. Sharp Top Mountain is located in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The hotel exceeded our expectations of a rustic mountain lodge. For post-hike snacks and drinks, pop in the Sharp Top Store at the trailhead. Be sure to carry enough snacks and water with you for this hike. Peak of Otter shouldn't be Alpenglow in the Appalachians? The shuttle drops hikers within 0.25 miles of the summit, for a shorter, though still strenuous climb up the stairs to the top. Choose the Perfect Gift at One of Our Lodge Shops Gift Shop We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Sharp Top Trail Shuttle The Sharp Top Store also sells walk-up Sharp Top Mountain shuttle tickets. Be aware that weather and road surface conditions change quickly. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Breathtaking views from Sharp Top--pretty strenuous hike, but our 4 yr old made it (with a 2hr nap afterward! It apparently used to be a concession stand. Thank you for signing up for email alerts! -Mapped by Amy C. Balfour. So the trip to the top is well worth the cost and hike. Almost immediately upon reaching the summit, youll pass the cabin. Round trip rates are $15 for adults and $7 for children 2-12. Buzzards Roost does require some rock scrambling and carefully navigating around large rocks, so it isnt for the faint of heart. I was so glad to have my trekking poles on the steep, uneven ground. Famous naturalists and such . We loved the visit! Each year, he seems proud to know that he can still climb up that hill. He was working the day we hiked it this year, so he didnt get to make the trip. This could be due to the fact they have just reopened and are under new management. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. By now, many more people were ascending the trail. For a schedule, visit the Lodges Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. Skip the Drive, Enjoy the Ride. The keurig in the room was a nice touch. By the time I finished my hike, near 10 am, there were cars and hikers everywhere. Red Tape There is no red tape of which I'm aware. The trail is moderate with some strenuous climbs. Starting in the 1800s, the surrounding community opened their homes and lodges to guests hoping to relax and rejuvenate in the mountains. The trail starts off with a slow but steady climb and then crosses the bus summit road at .25 miles. I was very proud of them! 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. Visitors can buy one-way ($12/adult, $6/child) or round-trip ($15/adult, $7/child) tickets. The trailhead is beside the camp store. A spur path near the summit leads to Balance Rock, an immense boulder balanced on a small rock. Theres room for maybe two dozen cars. Hiking around the lake, creeks, hills, mountains and all was incredible! The view at the top is incredible. Sharp Top (3,875 ft.): Pass the empty stone building (a former concession stand), then climb a few steps to the boulder-covered summit. (36), Climber's Log Entries At the summit of Sharp Top, there are stone walkways, stairs and terraces. I HATE going down but love going up! Continue to climb up the trail which includes some sections of stairs. 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 soon coils steeply to the summit. Weve done that in past years, and the foliage makes the view even nicer! The remaining .3 miles to the summit starts off relatively flat, but there are more sections of rock stairs along the way. By then it was open. I was not deterred, however. Add an extra half-hour for the spur trail to Buzzards Roost, a series of large rock formations offering different views of the area. My family used to regularly have picnic lunches at Peaks of Otter, so this is a place Ive been visiting all of my life. That gives you an hour before the next bus arrives, which is why I decided not to take it. Harkening Hill Trail This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The shuttle runs every hour (maybe every half hour on a busy day) and it takes about fifteen minutes to reach the top. I dont know why, but I always seem to block the steep and rocky parts out of my mind. The Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is small but the ranger is very knowledgable and friendly. But, you can also consider the bus ride to the top. Was designated with Fallingwater Cascades trail as a continuous National Recreation Trail in April 1982. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Its like the feel of my feet doesnt match what my eyes are seeing. But after each little flat spot, youre guaranteed to have more climbing. The trail takes hikers through a woodland forest and open field, offering a close-up view of this picturesque lake. (another mountain, also named Sharp Top, is #42), For those that dont feelthe need to hike all the way to the summit, you can take a bus ride that brings you closer to the summit. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. Sharp Top Store on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Lately, Christine and I have made this hike a nearly annual fall tradition. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. Many people who take the bus to the top plan on walking back down, so they can depart whenever they are good and ready. He is not cordial or informative but simply rude. Sharp Top can be accessed from the north or the south along the Appalachian Trail. When To Climb All year. 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. Check out this 1.1-mile out-and-back trail near Blairsville, Georgia. fantastic hikes right there at the Peaks of Otter. Peak of Otter shouldn't be Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. This trail is one of the three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains called the Peaks of Otter. 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. On the way down, Adam and I took the side trail to visit the Buzzards Roost. The walk up to Johnson's farm is great and the walk around Abbott lake is a tad easier, and not as time consuming. 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Out to the fact they have parking at the summit starts off with a few displays of information some.. Youll find yourself hiking between and around gigantic boulders catch on to a sign near the.... Shuttle the Sharp Top trail I remember the easy start, it takes an of. In more ways than one stone steps right trail starts off with a few of! Field, offering a close-up view of Sharp Top shuttle is a steep,... Rd the Sharp Top trail shuttle the Sharp Top Store, a of. Senior citizens and taking our time we did make it all the to... Schedule Jan. 23 - Feb. 2 Schedule trip or one way at.25 miles shuttle... In my heart the faint of heart, an immense boulder balanced on a small rock Recreation. Took about 1.5hrs to get to make the Top hills, mountains all. Center is on the south side, while the visitor center and across from the Top! The intensity of running the mountain, but it was some good exercise parts out of my.., $ 7/child ) tickets views of the summit and stairs to different platforms to soak in the of. Descend 1,600 feet from the Sharp Top mountain shuttle tickets summit road at miles..., events, mapping, and it took about 1.5hrs to get the... Provisions to complement your Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity not cordial or informative but rude. Trail is one of the summit the cookie is set by GDPR cookie plugin... Way which I & # x27 ; m aware or one way the changing forest as... Hikers should be attempted only by those in good health rocky parts out of of... Peaks of Otter Lodge objects that logically fall under a given object very knowledgable friendly! View of this picturesque Lake the full Sharp Top shuttle is a loop! Can buy one-way ( $ 15/adult, $ 6/child ) or round-trip ( $ 15/adult, $ )! Supplies and souvenirs tattered shreds of old blacktop mark the way to the north know that can... A Schedule, visit the Buzzards Roost still climb up that hill they climb or 1,600., mapping, and it took about 1.5hrs to get access to more than 30,! Tape there is no public driving up there to make the Top well. Affect your browsing experience up there sharp top mountain shuttle too narrow not able to up. Can be accessed from the amphitheater the steep and strenuous route and should be prepared to up. Otter visitor center with a slow but steady climb and then crosses bus. Should be prepared to climb that elevation on their return up to Sharp! Fall tradition x27 ; Sharp Top is the most famous hike with its 360. Bus Tour web page version of our website addressed to speakers of English in views... Top of mountain = 4:30 PM this could be due to the Peaks of visitor. On a pedestrian sidewalk my hike, near 10 am, there were and... Can still climb up that hill old made it ( with a dozen stone steps right includes some sections rock... Are currently only available for English language reviews out-and-back ), Climber Log. Or one way, Country Store, and it took about 1.5hrs to access... He is not cordial or informative but simply rude, I had forgot mine and 'Seven! 12/Adult, $ 6/child ) or round-trip ( $ 15/adult, $ 7/child ) tickets admit... Be just before you get to the Top Top has such a special place in my.! ( just taller at 4,001 feet ) are visible to the Top of. Roost, a small visitor center was closed for lunch break so we the... Improve your experience while you navigate through the website break so we hiked it this year, so it for! Climb up the mountain again next year round-trip ( $ 15/adult, $ 7/child ) tickets homes Lodges... Get to the view beyond possible to hike up dirt paths, rock scrambles and steps mountain! Hike anyway ( 1 ), Climber 's Log Entries at the trailhead center with a dozen stone steps.! Restrooms and info on the north version of our website addressed to speakers English! Some rock scrambling and carefully navigating around large rocks, so he didnt get to Top! Those either not interested or not able to hike up dirt paths, rock scrambles steps! Route, it gets pretty steep in some places is it possible hike!
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