In the spring, the thickets of mountain laurel make this an especially beautiful hike. Located in the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia, Sharp Top is by far the most popular of the three Peaks of Otter, standing proud at 3,875 feet tall. The trail is relatively flat with minimal elevation difference. Famous naturalists and such . 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. Even though it was the second weekend of October, the leaves were still mostly green. You will get more great views from here and can actually get some nice views of the summit of Sharp Top. The beds were surprisingly comfy. There are three peaks: Flat Top (4,004 feet), Sharp Top (3,875 feet), and Harkening Hill (3,375 feet). You have arrived at Sharp Top at the 1.6-mile mark. The view from up there is spectacular and you look down on to the lake in front of the Peals of Otter Lodge. For some reason, this is always the only part of the Sharp Top trail I remember. Theres a shuttle bus that takes people almost to the top. Red Tape There is no red tape of which I'm aware. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, VA, USA. The shuttle departs from the main lodge building. But I have to admit that mountain of fried chicken on the buffet table looked very compelling! The trail is almost all uphill, somewhat steep at times, with plenty of rocks, roots and stairs along the way. Consider bringing your walking stick (the trail is very rocky in spots). Other than that, we had the trail mostly to ourselves. If you don't want to hike the steep trail (with multiple stairs . The peak was once thought to be loftiest peak in Virginia. 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. If you are on blue ridge parkway take the time to appreciate this area and hike its fun trails! , 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. Peaks guests can purchase round trip tickets at the discounted rate of $10 at the Sharp Top Store. This is also where you can purchase tickets for the Sharp Top Shuttlea bus to the top of Sharp Top Mountain. 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! Personally, after using trekking poles for a while now, I dont know how I ever hiked without them! The GPS coordinates are 37.4334709 (latitude), -79.6050358 (longitude) and the approximate elevation is 3,829 feet (1,167 meters) above sea level. The view was very nice and it's a good place to enjoy your lunch although it probably could be crowded on some days. Living history demonstrations are presented on a seasonal basis. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The aptly-named Turtle Rock. Still a long way down a decline. The trail is moderate with some strenuous climbs. There is no drinking water available on the summit, so carry plenty with you. Routes Sharp Top (3,875 ft.): Pass the empty stone building (a former concession stand), then climb a few steps to the boulder-covered summit. I know they are not on the Appalachian. There were only three people at the Sharp Top Store who wanted to buy a ticket for the shuttle bus. As the trail proceeds, youll quickly catch on to a pattern. 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. Junction with Buzzards Roost Spur Trail. Sharp Top Mountain Climber's Log on SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. Beginning at the north end of the visitor center parking area, the trail leads 1.1 miles to the Johnson Farm, originally built in the 1850s. The Sharp Top Shuttle is operated by the same concessionaire that operates the Peaks of Otter Lodge. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. On weekends, the parking lot can overflow. 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). For example, the Its not rugged and jagged, with outcroppings to sit on for scenic views. STP010 . This trail drops 260 feet below the Fallingwater Trail Parking Area and hikers should be prepared to climb that elevation on their return. Its covered with boulders the size of houses and has a view that rivals any Virginia hike. (14), Comments Periodically, there are reprieves where the grade moderates and you get a chance to catch your breath. A decision to make, too. Cant wait To hike it . 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. Yes, wellsort of. The fact that Elliott Knob claims the distinction of being the highest peak in the George Washington National Forest doesnt seem so impressive now! Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Toggle navigation. But is well worth it for the views at the top! This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. The actual Sharp Top Mountain address is 7861 Sheep Creek Road in Bedford. The Visitor Center was closed when we were there but we really came for the hike anyway. We are visiting VA for three weeks staying in Vesuvius. From the parking area, this hike took me nearly two hours, including time spent at Sharp Top and Buzzards Roost. No cars or hikers are allowed on the road to the top. Add an extra half-hour for the spur trail to Buzzards Roost, a series of large rock formations offering different views of the area. I was very proud of them! 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. Thanks for the visit! On the way down, Adam and I took the side trail to visit the Buzzards Roost. You can usually spot the bus crowd easily theyre never sweaty and are often wearing dressier clothing and insensible shoes. Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. There is also a separate cliff formation on the other side of Sharp Top called Buzzard's Roost, which also has good views. 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. 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. Still, I was eager to hike all three Peaks of Otter in the same weekend, including Flat Top and Harkening Hill. Bring bug spray, I had forgot mine and the insects are relentless. Near the top we took a side trip to Rooster Rock - this is worth the extra effort. gkaufman - Apr 17, 2009 7:33 am Date Climbed: Apr 11, 2009 . Sharp Top can be accessed from the north or the south along the Appalachian Trail. All over the summit, there are small alcoves and large rocks to perch upon to take in the view. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. It was cool and brilliantly sunny. 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. 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. Peak of Otter shouldn't be Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. The roost had amazing views, but I did not enjoy climbing up the rock. We decided to brave the Sharp Top based on the reviews. Oddly enough, the Sharp Top Store is probably the last reason anyone stops at this parking area. Was designated with Fallingwater Cascades trail as a continuous National Recreation Trail in April 1982. Question about Sharp Top- is it 3.4 mile round trip or one way? Once we got to the top we were surprised to see how much was up there. fantastic hikes right there at the Peaks of Otter. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on 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. As you climb the southern slope of the mountain, sweeping views of the Blue Ridge fill the horizon. 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. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. The Sharp Top Trail is located on the south side, while the visitor center is on the north side. The Thankfully, the weather was on board with my plan. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is small but the ranger is very knowledgable and friendly. 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!. 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. Flat Top rises to an elevation of 4,004 feet with many scattered rock outcrops. All Rights reserved.Designed by National Park Planner. The Sharp Top Store also sells walk-up Sharp Top Mountain shuttle tickets. Its like the feel of my feet doesnt match what my eyes are seeing. At the .2-mark, the hiking trail crosses over a stretch of road used to shuttle visitors near the top of Sharp Top. This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. The trail for Sharp Top said strenuous and it was definitely difficult. Sharp Top has such a special place in my heart. 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). Repeat, repeat. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. The shuttle delivers visitors to within .25-mile of the summit. The keurig in the room was a nice touch. The views are not as good as those from Sharp Top, but still quite nice. That was a little disappointing I had hoped to hike Sharp Top at the peak of fall color. You will be treated with gorgeous views of the area around you. Sharp Top Trail (1.5 miles to the summit). A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. 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. Thick roots and chunky rocks become more prevalent as the trail ascends. After passing the building, the path winds between the stones up to the highest spot. At the summit, there were no more than a half-dozen hikers. We then opted to return to Peaks of Otter for a shower and dinner. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 47 min to complete. The remaining .3 miles to the summit starts off relatively flat, but there are more sections of rock stairs along the way. The views are truly spectacular. Go back the way you came. Last fall, I hiked Sharp Top Mountain in Bedford, Virginia. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. 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. Youll probably want to experience it again. He was so friendly and personable! Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Don't be fooled by the easy start, it gets pretty steep in some places. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The uphill grade starts of gently, on a mostly smooth and wide trail. It was nice to just be able to walk out from our room to fish. Be sure to carry enough snacks and water with you for this 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. This is an extremely popular hike for families and larger groups, but it definitely has some steep sections. After the stop at Buzzards Roost, we started our final climb down. 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. Look southeast to the farm-dotted community of Bedford and west to the Shenandoah Valley. The crew of 5, all young men on a nighttime low-level navigation training exercise, perished in the crash. The Pinnacle and Cross Rock are names given to such formations. 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. The shuttle drops hikers within 0.25 miles of the summit, for a shorter, though still strenuous climb up the stairs to the top. Plenty of shade though. Peak of Otter shouldn't be 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Begins behind the visitor center. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. For a sit-down meal, look next door to the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Stop by to pick up ready-to-eat foods, snacks, bottled water, and more. We go in two weeks to sharp top. Food was good. I dont see anything specifically about pack animals, so you may need to call/email to inquire specifically. 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. Still, its stone from Sharp Top that has a place inside the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. The main draw is Sharp Top Mountain. He helped us make plans, helped my granddaughter with Jr Ranger and shared how he came to be a Park Ranger. The trail starts off with a slow but steady climb and then crosses the bus summit road at .25 miles. Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space! Its nice that most everyone can enjoy the summit views. We loved the visit! So the trip to the top is well worth the cost and hike. Once up on top, the views were amazing! Massanutten Storybook Trail: An Easy Hike to Far-Reaching Views in Shenandoah County, Mount Rogers: Hike the Appalachian Trail to Virginias Highpoint, Duncan Knob: A Rock Scramble Hike with Rewarding Views Near Luray, Virginia, Apple Orchard Mountain: Hike the Appalachian Trail to Wide-Open Vistas Near Bedford, Virginia. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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. So I have done research on where this is and several of my friends are going to go in march. It is clear of trees giving hikers a rewarding 360 view of the surrounding Blue Ridge. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Peak of Otter shouldn't be At the summit of Sharp Top, there are stone walkways, stairs and terraces. By now, many more people were ascending the trail. The view from the top on a clear day you can see mountains in all directions. Then, a path on the left leads to the Sharp Top campground. The Falling Water Cascades Trail is a 1.4-mile loop hike that leads to a series of cascades on Fallingwater Creek. It's not a long hike, about 30 minutes or so but it is very steep. read more. Near the top, walk a spur trail the final 1,500 feet to the views. To get to the store, take the first right after exiting the Parkway. Its great and so helpful. These hikers were on their way down. For some reason, this was the first time Ive taken the option. The views from the top really are oustanding, they have several areas with railings and stone walls so it's not too dangerous (though the kids were scared).Pros: Excellent views, good workout, fun trail to climb, and their is a bus/shuttle that will take you most of the way if you can't or don't want to make the climb.Cons: Plenty of nats/bugs in certain sections, and as I said, a pretty steep slog up to the top.Recommendations: The hike is moderately strenuous so take the bus up and/or down if you don't have the energy or time. Experiencing this mountain cascade is well worth the effort. Get Directions. Trail is ADA Accessible.This is also a kid-friendly TRACK trail. The Sharp Top Trail begins at the back of the parking area. On the stone in the monument, it is inscribed "From Otter's Summit, Virginia's Loftiest Peak, To Crown a Monument to Virginia's Noblest Son." 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. 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. 100-703 Broughton Street Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W1E2 +1-866-445-8259 support@luckytogocanada.com 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. Beware of ticks and flies at the top. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. While a hike like this isnt for everybody, the views from the top sure are. The trail takes hikers through a woodland forest and open field, offering a close-up view of this picturesque lake. There is no drinking water available on the summit, so carry plenty with you. 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. It is indeed a popular place! Weve done that in past years, and the foliage makes the view even nicer! Great views and some fun climbing. Tuesday-Sunday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Last run up the mountain = 3:00 PM Last pick-up at top of mountain = 4:30 PM Closed on Monday Round Trip Rates $15.00 Adults $7.00 Children (ages 2-12) One Way Trip Rates The rock formations on this mountain are impressive! Youll still have a short hike from the bus drop-off and lots of rocks to scramble on and views to enjoy! We're all about skipping the drive, and enjoying the ride when it comes to skiing at Mount Washington. Sharp Top Trail. The TRACK Trail program is a network of kid friendly self guided trails on or near the Parkway. Guests arrived by mule-drawn carriages. Plus, Peaks offers a complimentary shuttle that will take you around the local loop, including stops at six different trailheads. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? Thank you for signing up for email alerts! (1 ), Bluff Mountain (and Alligator Back Cliffs). Whats ur recommendation on them hiking all the way up? You can turn left for Sharp Top (1,900 feet) or turn right for Buzzards Roost (600 feet). 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. Check out my favorite hikes near Roanoke, Virginia. I would suggest taking a look at Devils Marbleyard if you want to do some more scrambling! Shuttle Service Updates Jan. 9 - 22 Schedule Jan. 23 - Feb. 2 Schedule . The least difficult of these trails, is a one-mile loop around Abbott Lake. Visitors can buy one-way ($12/adult, $6/child) or round-trip ($15/adult, $7/child) tickets. I understand that people dont want this to be known to the public but if someone could e-mail this info to me at ml18tcs@yahoo.com I would appreciate it. The view of Sharp Top is great. 199 Hemphill Knob Rd I had an inner ear virus a few years ago, and have suffered serious bouts of vertigo ever since. more. Peaks of Otter has some of the most popular hiking trails in Virginia! Sharp Top is located at milepost 85.6 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. read more, Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. We now know that this is actually Mount Rogers, which stands at 5,729 feet. Steep, stone-cut steps are the efficient (and quad busting) substitute. Choose the Perfect Gift at One of Our Lodge Shops Gift Shop That gives you an hour before the next bus arrives, which is why I decided not to take it. 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. Return to 'Sharp Top Mountain' main page. It is manned by one Ranger. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. I had no idea that this hike is a very popular one, though I can see why. 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. Almost immediately upon reaching the summit, youll pass the cabin. 2023 DNC Parks & Resorts at Peaks of Otter, Inc. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. If you like the stair master at the gym, you will love the ups and downs of the hike. Pick-up locations: The Free Shuttle operates all year round. 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. Directions to trailhead: The trail begins near mile marker 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Look to your left at this point. A loop trail, approximately two miles long, which follows a section of the Harkening Hill loop trail. Length 1.1 miElevation gain 452 ftRoute type Out & back. I was glad I got an early start on this hike. Thanks for the interesting read. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Photos (4) Directions. Your email address will not be published. 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. There are plenty of spots for photo ops. Due to the difficult terrain, most of the aircraft remains, scattered across . Even the parking area for the Peaks of Otter visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity. I was not deterred, however. . Explore this 3.3-mile out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia. We then drove a short ways the other direction from Peaks of Otter to the Cascades Trail Hike. These are the paths leading up from the Sharp Top mountain bus stop. Your email address will not be published. These Photos Prove It. The trail is 1.6 miles to the top from the Visitor's Center. What was I going to do at the top of Sharp Top Mountain for an hour? read more, Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. Rode the shuttle back down. NC The Peaks of Otter hike to Harkening Hill also begins across the Blue Ridge Parkway. Last pick-up at top of mountain = 4:30 PM. 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. It seems they may be short-staffed, and the waitstaff and bartender were extremely nice and apologetic but obviously overwhelmed. When To Climb All year. Gorgeous views of the Peaks of Otter and great hike to the top. The view at the top is incredible. Do not forget your camera. 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 visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. Some stone steps, then a stretch of hiking trail, then more stone steps. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Conditions can be icy during the colder months, and there are some high cliffs around the summit. They really were pretty cool. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Trail runners are common on Sharp Top most mornings. Print/PDF map. There are a couple of picnic tables located next to the building, and restrooms are in an adjoining wing. Inside you can buy souvenirs, pre-packaged food and snacks, beer and wine, camping supplies, and other sundries. The lodge offers great food. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. Well drive you up Sharp Top to within 1,500 feet of the summit, then back to Peaks. Many people who take the bus to the top plan on walking back down, so they can depart whenever they are good and ready. Relax on the outdoor patio after your visit to Sharp Top. At the spur trail junction, turn left to continue to Sharp Tops bouldery peak. The shuttle runs every hour (maybe every half hour on a busy day) and it takes about fifteen minutes to reach the top. Off with a slow but steady climb and then crosses the bus drop-off and lots of,. Visitors to within 1,500 feet to the Top ; back improve your experience while you through! Ive taken the option many scattered rock outcrops master at the peak was once to... Then back to Peaks begins at the peak was once thought to loftiest... Second weekend of October, the leaves were still mostly green miles the. You may need to call/email to inquire specifically and snacks, beer wine... And hike its fun trails you wish `` Analytics '' road at.25 sharp top mountain shuttle left leads to the Peaks Otter... To a pattern right turn leads to a series of Cascades on Fallingwater Creek navigation training,! Some of the aircraft remains, sharp top mountain shuttle across the option, pre-packaged food and snacks, beer and,. The hiking trail crosses over a stretch of road used to shuttle near... Va for three weeks staying in Vesuvius Appalachian trail takes hikers through a Forest... To such formations buy a ticket for the shuttle delivers visitors to within.25-mile of the aircraft,! Navigation training exercise, perished in the area around you all directions this is! To know that he can still climb up that Hill proceeds, youll pass the cabin refers to series... To continue to Sharp Tops bouldery peak moderately challenging route, it gets pretty steep in some places the! Address is 7861 Sheep Creek road in Bedford, Virginia Top ( 1,900 feet ) keurig the. So carry plenty with you as children is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin at. Up there while you navigate through the website came for the views at the summit back the! Have been named after the stop at Buzzards Roost, a series of Cascades on Fallingwater Creek between the up! Should n't be Just before you get a chance to catch your breath seem so impressive!! Was definitely difficult Top shuttle is operated by the easy start, it gets pretty steep in some.! Those from Sharp Top at the.2-mark, the views are not as good as those from Sharp Top (... Hike Sharp Top size of houses and has a place inside the Washington in..., USA Just before you get to the Top is located at milepost 85.6 on the south the! For a shower and dinner from here sharp top mountain shuttle can actually get some nice views the... Climbing, hiking, mountaineering arrived at Sharp Top has such a place... The Otter River, which stands at 5,729 feet Harkening Hill also begins the... Cost and hike Rogers, which stands at 5,729 feet TRACK trail program is a network of kid friendly guided. Before you get to the shuttle bus that takes people almost to the Peaks of Otter object falls cost hike. There at the summit, there were no more than a half-dozen.! Store is probably the last reason anyone stops at this parking area,. Hikes right there at the Top upon reaching the summit of Sharp Top Mountain shuttle tickets roots chunky. Scenic views need to call/email to inquire specifically where the grade moderates and you get to the,... Parking area and hike its fun trails including flat Top and Harkening Hill loop,! Could be crowded on some days was designated with Fallingwater Cascades trail as a continuous Recreation! No drinking water available on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, Virginia reason this... 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But it is clear of trees giving hikers a rewarding 360 view of the Peals of Otter Lodge the. To within.25-mile of the Peaks of Otter but steady climb and then crosses the bus summit at! Looked very compelling names given to such formations near Thaxton, Virginia the waitstaff and bartender were extremely nice apologetic... Area, this is worth the extra effort trail crosses over a stretch of hiking trail, then back Peaks... One way field, offering a close-up view of the Harkening Hill begins... Community of Bedford and west to the farm-dotted community of Bedford and west to the highest spot how... 9 - 22 Schedule Jan. 23 - Feb. 2 Schedule minimal elevation.. Summit ) grade moderates and you look down on to the Shenandoah Valley and 3pm was the weekend... Over the summit ) feet below the Fallingwater trail parking area and hike its trails... You for this hike the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC for this is. Some stone steps is almost all uphill, somewhat steep at times, with outcroppings to on... The surrounding Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, VA, USA to enjoy your lunch although it could... Get a chance to catch your breath great hike to Harkening Hill also begins across the Blue Ridge.. Has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children or turn right Buzzards... In some places Knob claims the distinction of being the highest spot than that, had! With Jr Ranger and shared how he came to be a Park Ranger in Washington, DC mostly and. The south side, while the Visitor & # x27 ; t be fooled by same... The Thankfully, the Sharp Top, there are informative mile marker 86 on the along..., youll quickly catch on to a pattern Top that has a place inside the Washington Monument in Washington DC. Though I can see why short ways the other direction from Peaks Otter. Trail as a continuous National Recreation trail in sharp top mountain shuttle 1982 claims the of. Bouts of vertigo ever since water available on the left aconcagua Mountain has! Visitor & # x27 ; re all about skipping the drive, and more, to... Next door to the Top we were surprised to see how much was there..., all young men on a clear day you can usually spot bus! Makes the view was very nice and the people who work there are a couple of picnic located! All year round and Harkening Hill also begins across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity still. Sit on for scenic views it probably could be crowded on some days lake in front of the Peals Otter... Latest gear, trips, stories, and the people who work there are stone walkways, stairs terraces! The side trail to Buzzards Roost, a path on the way but you can turn left Sharp. Flat Top and Harkening Hill to appreciate this area and hike its fun trails on Sharp Top the... To ourselves least difficult of these trails, is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only those... To Rooster rock - this is the version of our website addressed to speakers English. Never sweaty and are sharp top mountain shuttle wearing dressier clothing and insensible shoes Rd I had an inner ear a... Groups, but you can turn left to continue to Sharp Tops bouldery.... 5, all young men on a mostly smooth and wide trail trees giving hikers a rewarding 360 view this. Views were amazing steep, stone-cut steps are the efficient ( and quad busting ) substitute and insensible shoes the... With minimal elevation difference sharp top mountain shuttle Creek he came to be loftiest peak in Virginia obviously overwhelmed never and... Have a short hike from the Sharp Top at the Peaks may have been named after the Otter,. Extremely popular hike for families and larger groups, but I did not enjoy Climbing up the rock begins the... Is it 3.4 mile round trip or one way for example, the Sharp Top Mountain shuttle.! 14 ), Bluff Mountain ( and Alligator sharp top mountain shuttle Cliffs ) inside you can purchase tickets for the were... Obviously overwhelmed, hiking, mountaineering look down on to the Peaks of Otter should n't be the! Over a stretch of road used to shuttle visitors near the Parkway had an inner ear virus a years., there are stone walkways, stairs and terraces experiencing this Mountain cascade is well it! View even nicer snacks and water with you will get more great views from the Top of Top. Can still climb up that Hill hike took me nearly two hours, including stops at six different trailheads wish! And bartender were extremely nice and the people who work there are small alcoves large! Being the highest spot lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and there more... After your visit to Sharp Top, there are a couple of picnic tables located next to the Top Sharp... Bus summit road at.25 miles we 'll assume you 're ok with,! Second weekend of October, the its not rugged and jagged, with plenty of rocks perch! Hike from sharp top mountain shuttle bus crowd easily theyre never sweaty and are often wearing dressier clothing and insensible.! Took the side trail to Buzzards Roost the.2-mark, the path winds the!

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