By then it was open. Even though it was the second weekend of October, the leaves were still mostly green. , The Sharp Top Bus Road is closed to all uses (no hiking, no biking, no private vehicles) other than the shuttle bus due to the narrow road and limited sight distances. We drove from Bedford on a spring Sunday morning for brunch at the lodge and to walk around the grounds at the visitor center to take pictures. Even the parking area for the Peaks of Otter visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity. ;). Sharp Top Shuttle Schedule Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. fantastic hikes right there at the Peaks of Otter. This is an extremely popular hike for families and larger groups, but it definitely has some steep sections. 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 . The aptly-named Turtle Rock. Sharp Top Mountain is located in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. A spur path near the summit leads to Balance Rock, an immense boulder balanced on a small rock. If your kids are fit and active, they may be able to do the entire hike. But after each little flat spot, youre guaranteed to have more climbing. The lot was nearly full, but I soon realized that it was filled with those reveling in a Sharp Top sunrise hike. 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. Tattered shreds of old blacktop mark the way as you approach the final ascent. But I have to admit that mountain of fried chicken on the buffet table looked very compelling! 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. There were only three people at the Sharp Top Store who wanted to buy a ticket for the shuttle bus. Ask Sue M about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask Vicky W about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask misskitty20004 about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask Nikzleez about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask 802jenniferp about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. That gives you an hour before the next bus arrives, which is why I decided not to take it. Oddly enough, the Sharp Top Store is probably the last reason anyone stops at this parking area. The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. 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. If you like the stair master at the gym, you will love the ups and downs of the hike. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. Eager for steps on area hiking trails? Last fall, I hiked Sharp Top Mountain in Bedford, Virginia. This trail drops 260 feet below the Fallingwater Trail Parking Area and hikers should be prepared to climb that elevation on their return. There's something for everyone! The shuttle departs from the main lodge building. 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. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. While a hike like this isnt for everybody, the views from the top sure are. Visitors can buy one-way ($12/adult, $6/child) or round-trip ($15/adult, $7/child) tickets. It seems they may be short-staffed, and the waitstaff and bartender were extremely nice and apologetic but obviously overwhelmed. Im so glad Adam introduced me to this hike. Bedford, VA 24523. Theres a shuttle bus that takes people almost to the top. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Famous naturalists and such . This trail is one of the three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains called the Peaks of Otter. I turned left for Sharp Top, but hit Buzzards Roost on the way down. Allow two hours for hiking up and one hour for hiking down. 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. With the most scheduled shuttle times to and from DIA, Peak 1 Express services more flight times than any other shuttle service in the state. Near the top, walk a spur trail the final 1,500 feet to the views. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I HATE going down but love going up! The Sharp Top Store also sells walk-up Sharp Top Mountain shuttle tickets. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. The views are not as good as those from Sharp Top, but still quite nice. 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. I was nervous given the Sharp Top Trail was rated as hard and elevation gain neared 1,300 feet. Begins behind the visitor center and across from the amphitheater. 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. The Sharp Top Trail is located on the south side, while the visitor center is on the north side. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Once I savored all the 360-degree views across the Blue Ridge Mountains, I re-traced my steps, then continued on the spur trail to check out Buzzards Roost. 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. Theres room for maybe two dozen cars. Everyone else was walking to the top. From the parking area, this hike took me nearly two hours, including time spent at Sharp Top and Buzzards Roost. Then, keep your eyes open for a change of scenery. Sharp Top Mountain Climber's Log on SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. I might suggest looking there. The Sharp Top Trail begins at the back of the parking area. Sharp Top Mountain, named for its pointy summit, looms over historic Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake. Still a long way down a decline. Loved the screen doors, and you sure can't beat the views! The trail passes through a boulder field that looks out of place so high on the mountain. | 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). -Mapped by Amy C. Balfour. Sharp Top Trail. The walk up to Johnson's farm is great and the walk around Abbott lake is a tad easier, and not as time consuming. If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. I was very proud of them! 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. It has almost every kind of terrain and some parts are easy and some parts of very difficult. The Washington Monument, completed in 1884, contains an engraved stone block recognizing 3,875-foot Sharp Top Mountain as Virginias highest peak. According to official elevations, this Sharp Top doesnt even make the top 50 list. For a sit-down meal, look next door to the Peaks of Otter Lodge. The trailhead is next to the Sharp Top Store, a small camp store that sells snacks, supplies and souvenirs. When I visited in October, the parking lot was full at 9 AM and people were parking on VA 43. Then, a path on the left leads to the Sharp Top campground. I also really enjoyed the link to the 50 highest mountains in Virginia and have been pouring over the stats it provides. The Sharp Top Shuttle is operated by the same concessionaire that operates the Peaks of Otter Lodge. 28803, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. 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. Back to the Top | Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, 2014-2022 Copyright Steven L. Markos. Its covered with boulders the size of houses and has a view that rivals any Virginia hike. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Sharp Top is 3.4 miles round-trip. It took me 2 hours (posting states 1.5 hours) and hiking boots and poles were helpful. The Near the end of the trail, there are quite a few stone stairs to climb. We then opted to return to Peaks of Otter for a shower and dinner. We have a 4and 6 year old girls. Sharp Top is the most famous hike with its spectacular 360 view at the top. Length 1.1 miElevation gain 452 ftRoute type Out & back. read more. Continue to climb up the trail which includes some sections of stairs. There is also a separate cliff formation on the other side of Sharp Top called Buzzard's Roost, which also has good views. The uphill grade starts of gently, on a mostly smooth and wide trail. 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. Thankfully, the weather was on board with my plan. Go back the way you came. 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. For post-hike snacks and drinks, pop in the Sharp Top Store at the trailhead. The roost had amazing views, but I did not enjoy climbing up the rock. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. And, the Johnson Farm hike was a lovely walk through the woods. 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. Turn left to continue to the summit of Sharp Top. "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." By the time I finished my hike, near 10 am, there were cars and hikers everywhere. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Please pack out all trash and leave only footprints behind. Although this was later proved inaccurate by the 5,729-foot Mount Rogers, Sharp Top still reigns supreme when it comes to views. Periodically, there are reprieves where the grade moderates and you get a chance to catch your breath. Relax on the outdoor patio after your visit to Sharp Top. 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. Hiking along the bus road is prohibited. 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. The trail would get more crowded shortly, so I thought it best to start with Sharp Top. As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. Near the 1.5-mile mark, youll see short spur trails on both sides of Sharp Top Trail. Im glad someone thought better of the idea and closed the place down do we really need hot dogs and ice cream for sale on mountain summits? All Rights reserved.Designed by National Park Planner. Pick-up locations: The Free Shuttle operates all year round. The view at the top is incredible. NC The peak was once thought to be loftiest peak in Virginia. The trail is moderate with some strenuous climbs. 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. More information is available on the Peaks website (http://www.peaksofotter.com/Sharp-Top-Shuttle.aspx). Top sure are walk a spur trail the final ascent of fried chicken on the way you. 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