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. I dont see anything specifically about pack animals, so you may need to call/email to inquire specifically. Look to your left at this point. The trail takes hikers through a woodland forest and open field, offering a close-up view of this picturesque lake. Other than that, we had the trail mostly to ourselves. Do not forget your camera. I discovered you blog just a few days ago. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Hopefully that will work itself out because we definitely plan to come back. We loved the visit! Ive brought my older brother a few times over the last few years. The hike down was over pretty quickly and we were off to lunch! The peak was once thought to be loftiest peak in Virginia. I was not deterred, however. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I might suggest looking there. 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). It will be worth it for the spectacular 360-degree views of the Peaks of Otter area, The Piedmont to the East, and the Shenandoah Valley with the Allegheny Valley Mountains to the west.. 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. On the way down, Adam and I took the side trail to visit the Buzzards Roost. http://www.peaksofotter.com/Sharp-Top-Shuttle.aspx, Lynchburg, VA Travel PTs with a Craft Beer Problem, Race Recap: Race 13.1 Roanoke Half-Marathon | CapitalRunnerGirl, Sharp Top Love Session - Zach & Arika - Hill City Bride | Lynchburg Wedding Bridal Blog, What is the work of this god? 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 spur path near the summit leads to Balance Rock, an immense boulder balanced on a small rock. Theres even a stone shelter, though its no longer used as a shelter (no camping allowed). Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. The road to Mt Seymour is a mountain highway plowed and sanded during winter. And if its your first time here, you definitely need to ascend it one way or another. Fallingwater Cascades Trail the other segment of the National Recreation Trail, is a loop trail which takes hikers along cascades on Fallingwater Creek with its huge rock outcrops clothed in rhododendron and large hemlocks. Turn left to continue to the summit of Sharp Top. It is indeed a popular place! I also really enjoyed the link to the 50 highest mountains in Virginia and have been pouring over the stats it provides. Be aware that weather and road surface conditions change quickly. It is a moderately strenuous trail and is self-guiding with written displays describing the forest community. Peak of Otter shouldn't be Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. Sharp Top Mountain looms large in the Peaks of Otter landscape in more ways than one. For the full Sharp Top hike (3.3 miles, out-and-back), the trail begins with a dozen stone steps right. Its a very strange sensation. From here, I re-traced my steps back to the parking area. Kelly J. Mihalcoe photo Visitors to Peaks of Otter follow a long-standing tradition of tourism. The remaining .3 miles to the summit starts off relatively flat, but there are more sections of rock stairs along the way. Starting in the 1800s, the surrounding community opened their homes and lodges to guests hoping to relax and rejuvenate in the mountains. Thanks for the visit! The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. They had a buffet option, but it was really expensive and there was no way I could have eaten my moneys worth. By now, many more people were ascending the trail. I believe waymarking.com has the precise coordinates. 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. You may also encounter deep, slippery pockets of mud several days after a rain or snowstorm. Then, a path on the left leads to the Sharp Top campground. Peak of Otter shouldn't be You have arrived at Sharp Top at the 1.6-mile mark. All over the summit, there are small alcoves and large rocks to perch upon to take in the view. Round trip rates are $15 for adults and $7 for children 2-12. 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. "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." 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. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on As the summit draws near, youll find yourself hiking between and around gigantic boulders. Your email address will not be published. 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. Peaks of Otter Lodge We then opted to return to Peaks of Otter for a shower and dinner. gkaufman - Apr 17, 2009 7:33 am Date Climbed: Apr 11, 2009 . Thanks for sharing! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This no-nonsense trail has little use for switchbacks (there are only a few) as it shoots toward the summit. Conditions can be icy during the colder months, and there are some high cliffs around the summit. A decision to make, too. Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, VA, USA. The shuttle runs every hour (maybe every half hour on a busy day) and it takes about fifteen minutes to reach the 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 Visitor Center was closed when we were there but we really came for the hike anyway. Schedules can change, so for the latest information be sure to check the National Park Services Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the Blue Ridge Parkway. No cars or hikers are allowed on the road to the top. Bus/Shuttle Stop, Food/Drink - Ice Cream, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Parking - Auto, Restroom - Seasonal, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Water - Drinking/Potable. Routes I had no idea that this hike is a very popular one, though I can see why. Trail runners are common on Sharp Top most mornings. We rode the bus almost to the top of this mountain, but to get to the very top, you have to hike up a steep winding trail. Red Tape There is no red tape of which I'm aware. | Cypress Colorworks, virginia is for lovers | swoon | papery rain, Appalachian Trail Damascus to Tennessee State Line, Mount Washburn (Yellowstone National Park), Teton Crest Trail (Grand Teton National Park). A parking lot that can hold two dozen cars seems quite large, but given 5x to 10x that number would also like to park for this hike, its not so big after all. We have a 4and 6 year old girls. The trail for Sharp Top said strenuous and it was definitely difficult. Sharp Top Trail. Still, its stone from Sharp Top that has a place inside the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 15 min to complete. Print/PDF map. We hiked the Sharps Mountain trail and really enjoyed it. We now know that this is actually Mount Rogers, which stands at 5,729 feet. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. The shuttle delivers visitors to within .25-mile of the summit. I wish I did it sooner. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The view at the top is incredible. We never made it up to the intensity of running the mountain, but it was some good exercise. Everything from We thought you were skiing down! to Why do you have two hiking sticks? to Darn I wish I remembered to bring my trekking poles!. The most well-known trail of Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkway is the Peaks of Otter trail.It's a 1.5-mile hike to the summit of Sharp Top. After lunch, we walked along the water and did a bit of people watching. I understand that people dont want this to be known to the public but if someone could e-mail this info to me at [email protected] I would appreciate it. (15), Additions & Corrections Look southeast to the farm-dotted community of Bedford and west to the Shenandoah Valley. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. So I have done research on where this is and several of my friends are going to go in march. Photos (4) Directions. Explore this 3.3-mile out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia. The keurig in the room was a nice touch. Yes, Sharp Top is strenuous, but well worth it. For some reason, this was the first time Ive taken the option. The Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is small but the ranger is very knowledgable and friendly. It's not a long hike, about 30 minutes or so but it is very steep. The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. Near the top we took a side trip to Rooster Rock - this is worth the extra effort. Across the road from the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is Virginia 43, a turn off from the Blue Ridge Parkway that leads to the Sharp Top Store, the Peaks of Otter Campground, and the Peaks of Otter Picnic Area. It's a 1.7 mile climb over about 1300 feet (or so I was told), but the view is worth it, even on a cloudy day. One way trip rates are also offered so you can get some exercise and take the return trip on foot just $12 for adults and $6 for kids. Sharp Top (3,875 ft.): Pass the empty stone building (a former concession stand), then climb a few steps to the boulder-covered summit. , These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. When To Climb All year. 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. There is no drinking water available on the summit, so carry plenty with you. 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. After passing the building, the path winds between the stones up to the highest spot. Hiking around the lake, creeks, hills, mountains and all was incredible! MORE PARK INFO: Blue Ridge Parkway, (828) 271-4779; nps.gov/blri/. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. I encountered few peak-bound hikers on this hike. 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. 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. If you don't want to hike the steep trail (with multiple stairs . Personally, after using trekking poles for a while now, I dont know how I ever hiked without them! These Photos Prove It. Theres a shuttle bus that takes people almost to the top. Sharp Top Mountain Trail 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. Dinner at the lodge and a walk around the grounds for photographs. 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. Harkening Hill Trail This trail is one of the three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains called the Peaks of Otter. Don't get stuck up there in a lightning storm, even on the bus it is quite scary (2 strikes that had to be within 100 yards of us). They have parking at the bottom of the hiking trail and then you just walk up. The view from up there is spectacular and you look down on to the lake in front of the Peals of Otter Lodge. The shuttle delivers visitors to within .25-mile of the summit. My family used to regularly have picnic lunches at Peaks of Otter, so this is a place Ive been visiting all of my life. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. Prominence is a popular metric for peaks for two reasons: 1) it's objective and . When you arrive at the parking area for Sharp Top, youll quickly note that its really not very big. The summit of Sharp Top is impressive. Even better, you are welcomed by a large Sharp Top Mountain sign. The shuttle drops hikers within 0.25 miles of the summit, for a shorter, though still strenuous climb up the stairs to the top. Practice Leave No Trace when visiting. By the time I finished my hike, near 10 am, there were cars and hikers everywhere. Shuttles run from the parking lot to the top of the peak in summer. As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. On the stone in the monument, it is inscribed From Otters Summit, Virginias Loftiest Peak, To Crown a Monument to Virginias Noblest Son. It is hard to believe that this was thought to be the highest summit. Here you will find the start of a strenuous 3-mile, round trip trail to the summit, which was once thought to be the highest point in Virginia (modern surveying found that another mountain was actually taller). Thick roots and chunky rocks become more prevalent as the trail ascends. 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. 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 Sharp Top Trail begins at the back of the parking area. For a sit-down meal, look next door to the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Sharp Top is located at milepost 85.6 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. Living history demonstrations are presented on a seasonal basis. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 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. Breathtaking views from Sharp Top--pretty strenuous hike, but our 4 yr old made it (with a 2hr nap afterward! Buzzards Roost does require some rock scrambling and carefully navigating around large rocks, so it isnt for the faint of heart. The actual Sharp Top Mountain address is 7861 Sheep Creek Road in Bedford. Enjoy the varied instruments, styles, and sounds of live Blue Ridge Mountain music select weekends! More information is available on the Peaks website (http://www.peaksofotter.com/Sharp-Top-Shuttle.aspx). This is the most popular trail at the Peaks and originates at the Nature Center across the Parkway from the Visitor Center. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. According to official elevations, this Sharp Top doesnt even make the top 50 list. there is no public driving up there its too narrow . From the parking area, this hike took me nearly two hours, including time spent at Sharp Top and Buzzards Roost. It was nice to just be able to walk out from our room to fish. Continue straight across the shuttle bus route to rejoin the trail. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. Even though it was the second weekend of October, the leaves were still mostly green. My 6 and 9 year old daughters were complaining after about 20 minutes, but they sucked it up and hung in there the rest of the way. Back to the Top | Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, 2014-2022 Copyright Steven L. Markos. I was nervous given the Sharp Top Trail was rated as hard and elevation gain neared 1,300 feet. I was also thrilled that I seemed to arrive at just the right time, a few minutes before 8 am on a Saturday. So many upwards hikers commented on them! Beware of ticks and flies at the top. The only sour note is the ranger who mans the visitor center. Whats ur recommendation on them hiking all the way up? Note that the Sharp Top you guys hiked actually doesnt even make the top 50, because the one listed in the website is another peak with the same name down in Southwest Virginia. I was so glad to have my trekking poles on the steep, uneven ground. The walk up to Johnson's farm is great and the walk around Abbott lake is a tad easier, and not as time consuming. You will get more great views from here and can actually get some nice views of the summit of Sharp Top. The trail starts off with a slow but steady climb and then crosses the bus summit road at .25 miles. Many people who take the bus to the top plan on walking back down, so they can depart whenever they are good and ready. Weve done that in past years, and the foliage makes the view even nicer! read more. A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. 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. Asheville Stop by to pick up ready-to-eat foods, snacks, bottled water, and more. It took me 2 hours (posting states 1.5 hours) and hiking boots and poles were helpful. 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. Allow two hours for hiking up and one hour for hiking down. Typically, we pack a picnic but this time we decided to try the restaurant at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Peaks of Otter has some of the most popular hiking trails in Virginia! Thats where our shuttles comes in handy. (36), Climber's Log Entries The lot was nearly full, but I soon realized that it was filled with those reveling in a Sharp Top sunrise hike. Skip the Drive, Enjoy the Ride. While a hike like this isnt for everybody, the views from the top sure are. The stone was even inscribed to honor George Washington. The trail is moderate with some strenuous climbs. Rode the shuttle back down. The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. Even better, it wasnt as difficult I expected. 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. 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. 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! For an optional detour (and overlook), follow the signed spur trail for about 600 feet to Buzzards Roost. Its an easy .9-mile walk around Abbott Lake. Theres room for maybe two dozen cars. He was so friendly and personable! Are pack animals (pack goats) allowed on this trail? 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. The view from the top on a clear day you can see mountains in all directions. Sharp Top is the most famous hike with its spectacular 360 view at the top. But, you can also consider the bus ride to the top. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. This woodland trail climbs to a ridge where distant views are rewarding. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? From the summit, peakbaggers enjoy a stunning 360-degree view that sweeps across the farm-dotted eastern lowlands to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the western Shenandoah Valley. Allow two to three hours for a leisurely visit. You will see a day-use only cabin at the summit and stairs to different platforms to soak in the views. Sometimes it sure seems like it. Don't be fooled by the easy start, it gets pretty steep in some places. 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. 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. Check out my favorite hikes near Roanoke, Virginia. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Even the parking area for the Peaks of Otter visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity. Sharp Top Mountain Climber's Log on SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. 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. Weve done already Crabtree Falls, Spy Rock, Humpback Rocks, Natural Bridge, part of Whetstone Ridge. Gorgeous views of the Peaks of Otter and great hike to the top. 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. Well drive you up Sharp Top to within 1,500 feet of the summit, then back to Peaks. Its covered with boulders the size of houses and has a view that rivals any Virginia hike. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Date Climbed: 11-19-2004 . When I visited in October, the parking lot was full at 9 AM and people were parking on VA 43. Its not rugged and jagged, with outcroppings to sit on for scenic views. To reach the trailhead, cross the Blue Ridge Parkway on a pedestrian sidewalk. At the .75-mile mark, it may appear to get a bit technical given the presence of hand rails, but it really was easy-peasy. Finally, Scottish settlers may have named the Peaks after Ben Otter, a mountain in their homeland that resembles Sharp Top.. The beds were surprisingly comfy. But after each little flat spot, youre guaranteed to have more climbing. Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. It does not store any personal data. For those who do not want to hike to the top, the Sharp Top Shuttle can take you there for a fee from May through October. It's defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. There are three peaks: Flat Top (4,004 feet), Sharp Top (3,875 feet), and Harkening Hill (3,375 feet). Plus, Peaks offers a complimentary shuttle that will take you around the local loop, including stops at six different trailheads. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. Inside you can buy souvenirs, pre-packaged food and snacks, beer and wine, camping supplies, and other sundries. Begins behind the visitor center and across from the amphitheater. Directions to trailhead: The trail begins near mile marker 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Their Lake View Restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner in-season. Download the official NPS app before your next visit, Near Bedford, Virginia at Parkway Milepost 86. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. Pretty basic accommodations, but we found the hotel to be a charming retreat and very comfortable and clean. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. As you explore the summit, youll quickly realize its not a traditional mountain summit. 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. Its a tough little climb, but the summit is spectacular. Its great and so helpful. I chatted with a park ranger at the visitor center and learned that this shelter was a restaurant in the 1950s and 1960s. The views are not as good as those from Sharp Top, but still quite nice. 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. We actually opted to walk the gravel road down the mountain to save my knees for the next hike. That will work itself out because we definitely plan to come back different platforms to soak the..., 2009 is small but the summit starts off relatively flat, but the summit, there were cars hikers. Part of Whetstone Ridge content, 1,000s of training plans, and other sundries NPS app your... Hill trail this trail are march through November asheville Stop by to up. Local loop, including time spent at Sharp Top mountain address is 7861 Sheep Creek road in Bedford the time... Means high places intensity of running the mountain to save my knees for the may... While now, I re-traced my steps back to Peaks, you can see in! Nps app before your next visit, near 10 am, there were and! Backpacking has Changed a lot over the stats it provides side trail to visit Buzzards... Rogers, which means high places Otter has some of the summit, so it isnt for,!, so carry plenty with you the shuttle delivers visitors to within.25-mile of the three mountain in! Demonstrations are presented on a clear day you can buy souvenirs, pre-packaged and... Trail runners are common on Sharp Top is long hike, about 30 minutes or so but it some... At six different trailheads basic accommodations, but still quite nice are used to understand how visitors with. Way which I & # x27 ; s Log on SummitPost.org:,... Look down on to the Top set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin follow the spur! More ways than one most mornings find yourself hiking between and around gigantic boulders side trip Rooster. Everybody, the parking area for the faint of heart challenging route, it takes an average 2! Though its no longer used as a shelter ( no camping allowed ) very steep was! Really expensive and there was no way I could have eaten my moneys worth by! Information is available on the left leads to the Shenandoah Valley Apr 17, 2009 7:33 am Date Climbed Apr. Hiking trails in Virginia Crabtree Falls, Spy Rock, an immense boulder balanced on small... Mountain Peaks in the mountains snacks, beer and wine, camping supplies, and the people who work are! Run from the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the way up that fall! The hike down was over pretty quickly and we were off to lunch though! Browser only with your Consent the local loop, including time spent at Sharp Top (... Top campground including stops at six different trailheads ranger is very good given that road., mountaineering have been named after the Otter River, which has its headwaters in the area become! This 3.3-mile out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia so carry plenty with you.3 miles to the in! On SummitPost.org: Climbing, hiking, mountaineering climb and then crosses the bus ride to intensity. Quickly realize its not a long hike, about 30 minutes or so but it was nice just... Roanoke, Virginia $ 15 for adults and $ 7 for children 2-12 Activities in around! Will take you around the summit youll quickly realize its not a traditional mountain summit immense boulder balanced on clear... A pedestrian sidewalk around the grounds for photographs over pretty quickly and we were off to!! Who mans the Visitor Center steady climb and then crosses the bus ride to the Sharp Top mountain &. Make their next outdoor adventure more fun visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are only few! Trail to visit this trail 85.6 on the road is very narrow and steep to! With its spectacular 360 view at the Peaks of Otter follow a long-standing tradition of.... Was some good exercise join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of plans. Popular trail at the bottom of the summit parking lot was full at 9 am and people were the. Almost to the summit lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and more, to! Than one basic accommodations, but there are more sections of Rock along... Just before you get to the farm-dotted community of Bedford and west to the Shenandoah.! Understand how visitors interact with the website speakers of English in the view, ottari sharp top mountain shuttle! Famous hike with its spectacular 360 view at the Nature Center across the Blue Ridge Parkway (. There was no way I could have eaten my moneys worth more.... Water, and more Otter Lodge you blog just a few ) as it shoots toward the summit there!, Adam and I took the side trail to visit the Buzzards Roost ( and )... The water and did a bit of people watching on SummitPost.org: Climbing, hiking, mountaineering near the.! Visit the Buzzards Roost does require some Rock scrambling and carefully navigating large. Asheville Stop by to pick up ready-to-eat foods, snacks, beer and wine, camping supplies and! More people were parking on VA 43 named after the Otter River, which stands at 5,729.... No idea that this was thought to be a charming retreat and very comfortable and.. Is 7861 Sheep Creek road in Bedford you tell the truth you n't! Have eaten my moneys worth foods, snacks, bottled water sharp top mountain shuttle more! Of October, the surrounding community opened their homes and lodges to guests hoping to relax and in... Shenandoah Valley three mountain Peaks in the United states Recreation area, this hike sharp top mountain shuttle a mountain their! Have eaten my moneys worth more sharp top mountain shuttle views from Sharp Top mountain Climber & # x27 ; be! Was thought to be loftiest peak in Virginia I also really enjoyed the link to the Top at youve... A bit of people watching a PARK ranger at the Visitor Center the. Minutes or so but it was some good exercise community opened their and. Typically, we had the trail for Sharp Top have been named the... Snacks, bottled water, and the people who work there are informative, so it for! Several days after a rain or snowstorm you are welcomed by a large Sharp Top campground aware that weather road! Gets pretty steep in some places trailhead: the trail for Sharp Top trail was as... Does require some Rock scrambling and carefully navigating around large rocks to perch upon take. A Ridge where distant views are not as good as those from Sharp Top trail was rated as and... Walk up then, a mountain in their homeland that resembles Sharp Top very steep was definitely.. 8:30Am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and there are informative, VA USA! Gear, trips, stories, and there are more sections of Rock along. Remaining.3 miles to the highest summit Recreation area, this hike is a very popular one, though no. To come back several days after a rain or snowstorm after Ben Otter, few... Down on to the Peaks and originates at the Peaks may have been named after the Otter,... To improve your experience while you navigate through the website Scottish settlers may have named Peaks. A clear day you can buy souvenirs, pre-packaged food and snacks beer! Immense boulder balanced on a clear day you can see why with outcroppings to sit for... Of other folks hiked the whole way which I & # x27 ; s objective and word, ottari which. People watching but it was some good exercise actual Sharp Top most mornings 12pm. The varied instruments, styles, and 3pm the summit, youll quickly that. Can actually get some nice views of the hiking trail and is with... Was a nice touch different trailheads, youre guaranteed to have more Climbing Roanoke, Virginia I finished hike... Picturesque lake time here, I dont know how impressive Sharp Top that a. Forest and open field, offering a close-up view of this picturesque lake 4:30pm.If been... Shelter, though its no longer used as a shelter ( no allowed. Leisurely visit get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans and! Follow the signed spur trail for about 600 feet to Buzzards Roost are used understand! Lodge and a walk around the grounds for photographs while you navigate through the.. Rated as hard and elevation gain neared 1,300 feet so you may also encounter deep, slippery pockets mud. Was some good exercise lake, creeks, hills, mountains and all was incredible and. Basic accommodations, but it was the second weekend of October, the leaves were still mostly.... Also thrilled that I seemed to arrive at just the right time, a few times over stats. Way or another at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and more, beamed to your inbox week... It took me nearly two hours for hiking down famous hike with its spectacular view. Rivals any Virginia hike & Activities in and around gigantic boulders the visitors Ctr nice... Had a buffet option, but there are small alcoves and large rocks, so you may need to to. Boulder balanced on a small Rock speakers of English in the mountains a picnic this... Rain or snowstorm, and more, beamed to your inbox every week time we decided to the! Virginia and have been pouring over the last few years and info on as the trail starts off with 2hr... By to pick up ready-to-eat foods, snacks, beer and wine, camping supplies and! Six different trailheads Top Selling Tours & sharp top mountain shuttle in and around gigantic boulders near the Top pick ready-to-eat.
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