Your email address will not be published. Near the top, walk a spur trail the final 1,500 feet to the views. Due to the difficult terrain, most of the aircraft remains, scattered across . The trail is popular with families, and youll even see the occasional dog (a leash is required). Once you leave the Roost, go back to the junction and take a left down the trail to make your way back to the car. 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. Thick roots and chunky rocks become more prevalent as the trail ascends. 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. Amazingly, Hawksbill, the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park, cant make the list either. There are three peaks: Flat Top (4,004 feet), Sharp Top (3,875 feet), and Harkening Hill (3,375 feet). But needless to say youll never find me doing any serious rock climbing! We are glad we stopped in and very much enjoyed our visit. The Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is small but the ranger is very knowledgable and friendly. You will see a day-use only cabin at the summit and stairs to different platforms to soak in the views. Near the 1.5-mile mark, youll see short spur trails on both sides of Sharp Top Trail. The one downside to Sharp Top is the crowd of people youll be almost guaranteed to see. Shuttle Service Updates Jan. 9 - 22 Schedule Jan. 23 - Feb. 2 Schedule . The trail is relatively flat with minimal elevation difference. Youll still have a short hike from the bus drop-off and lots of rocks to scramble on and views to enjoy! The keurig in the room was a nice touch. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. The hostess had to pitch in to help serve us. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. I know they are not on the Appalachian. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. 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. The GPS coordinates are 37.4334709 (latitude), -79.6050358 (longitude) and the approximate elevation is 3,829 feet (1,167 meters) above sea level. Dinner at the lodge and a walk around the grounds for photographs. Sharp Top is 3.4 miles round-trip. We settled for sandwiches instead. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Location: 37.4335034, -79.6048728. The Personally, after using trekking poles for a while now, I dont know how I ever hiked without them! Sharp Top can be accessed from the north or the south along the Appalachian Trail. 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. There is no drinking water available on the summit, so carry plenty with you. Continue straight at this junction to reach the summit. Download the official NPS app before your next visit, Near Bedford, Virginia at Parkway Milepost 86. More information is available on the Peaks website (http://www.peaksofotter.com/Sharp-Top-Shuttle.aspx). Its an easy .9-mile walk around Abbott Lake. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. We hiked the peaks of otter and loved every moment of it. Even the parking area for the Peaks of Otter visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity. Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. On this trail, hikers can experience the changing forest ecology as they climb or descend 1,600 feet from the Parkway trail heads. Bring water and hiking shoes, lots of rocks/roots on the hike and you'll want decent footing. Were can I find trail rules for the Sharp Top? Even better, you are welcomed by a large Sharp Top Mountain sign. As a side note, I drove back by mid-afternoon and it was packed. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. 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. Allow two to three hours for a leisurely visit. Skip the Drive, Enjoy the Ride. Sharp Top Mountain Climber's Log on SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. 2023 DNC Parks & Resorts at Peaks of Otter, Inc. 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. By then it was open. The concessionaire provides shuttle bus service seasonally for ticketed passengers. All Rights reserved.Designed by National Park Planner. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 47 min to complete. 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." Photos (4) Directions. (15), Additions & Corrections After passing the building, the path winds between the stones up to the highest spot. It operates from 8:30am to 5:00pm, seven days a week. 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 Thanks for the interesting read. The trailhead is beside the camp store. Peaks of Otter has some of the most popular hiking trails in Virginia! You will get more great views from here and can actually get some nice views of the summit of Sharp Top. 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. Ill try to get him to haul his cookies up the mountain again next year. These are located at the Blue Ridge Music Center, Peaks of Otter, Julian Price Park Picnic Area, Price Lake and the Asheville Visitor Center. 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. 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. gkaufman - Apr 17, 2009 7:33 am Date Climbed: Apr 11, 2009 . Check out this 1.1-mile out-and-back trail near Blairsville, Georgia. 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. more. Date Climbed: 11-19-2004 . AT Northbound (from the south) From Blue Ridge Gap, via the AT, hike 3.1 miles north to Bly Gap, then less than 1/2 mile to highpoint of the AT along Sharp Top's ridge (total one-way distance to high top is approximately 3.5 miles). 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. For a leisurely walk, allow one hour. The uphill grade starts of gently, on a mostly smooth and wide trail. So the trip to the top is well worth the cost and hike. Cathedral Mountain Lodge; Moraine Lake Lodge; Prospect Point Stanley Park; Stanley Park Pavilion The trail would get more crowded shortly, so I thought it best to start with Sharp Top. The least difficult of these trails, is a one-mile loop around Abbott Lake. For a schedule, visit the Lodge's Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. Sharp Top Store on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. 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. Was designated with Fallingwater Cascades trail as a continuous National Recreation Trail in April 1982. Explore this 3.3-mile out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia. Peak of Otter shouldn't be The Falling Water Cascades Trail is a 1.4-mile loop hike that leads to a series of cascades on Fallingwater Creek. 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. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 15 min to complete. Abbott Lake and Flat Top Mountain (just taller at 4,001 feet) are visible to the north. Peaks of Otter Lodge Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. 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). The main draw is Sharp Top Mountain. Red Tape There is no red tape of which I'm aware. The road to Mt Seymour is a mountain highway plowed and sanded during winter. The trail is almost all uphill, somewhat steep at times, with plenty of rocks, roots and stairs along the way. A decision to make, too. You can usually spot the bus crowd easily theyre never sweaty and are often wearing dressier clothing and insensible shoes. Thankfully, the weather was on board with my plan. Sign up for Outside+ today. Its not rugged and jagged, with outcroppings to sit on for scenic views. (1 ), Bluff Mountain (and Alligator Back Cliffs). Consider bringing your walking stick (the trail is very rocky in spots). It was nice to just be able to walk out from our room to fish. I went with family, friends, church groups, and scouts. It's defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. But, you can also consider the bus ride to the top. Still a long way down a decline. Round trip rates are $15 for adults and $7 for children 2-12. Finally, Scottish settlers may have named the Peaks after Ben Otter, a mountain in their homeland that resembles Sharp Top.. 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. From the parking area, this hike took me nearly two hours, including time spent at Sharp Top and Buzzards Roost. Still, I was eager to hike all three Peaks of Otter in the same weekend, including Flat Top and Harkening Hill. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I dont see anything specifically about pack animals, so you may need to call/email to inquire specifically. That was a little disappointing I had hoped to hike Sharp Top at the peak of fall color. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". We are visiting VA for three weeks staying in Vesuvius. The beds were surprisingly comfy. Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space! This no-nonsense trail has little use for switchbacks (there are only a few) as it shoots toward the summit. 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). At the summit, there were no more than a half-dozen hikers. Buzzards Roost does require some rock scrambling and carefully navigating around large rocks, so it isnt for the faint of heart. Once up on top, the views were amazing! Weve done that in past years, and the foliage makes the view even nicer! I believe waymarking.com has the precise coordinates. Allow two hours for hiking up and one hour for hiking down. The shuttle delivers visitors to within .25-mile of the summit. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Its like the feel of my feet doesnt match what my eyes are seeing. For the full Sharp Top hike (3.3 miles, out-and-back), the trail begins with a dozen stone steps right. Famous naturalists and such . Food was good. For some reason, this is always the only part of the Sharp Top trail I remember. Length 1.1 miElevation gain 452 ftRoute type Out & back. Back to the Top | Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, 2014-2022 Copyright Steven L. Markos. Theres even a stone shelter, though its no longer used as a shelter (no camping allowed). The lodge offers great food. Drinking water and restrooms are available seasonally at the Sharp Top Store near the trailhead. 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 family used to regularly have picnic lunches at Peaks of Otter, so this is a place Ive been visiting all of my life. Its great and so helpful. I was so glad to have my trekking poles on the steep, uneven ground. Be sure to enjoy the plants and animals that live along this trail and dont be surprised to run into many of them on your trip. I might suggest looking there. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. 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. STP010 . Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. On the way down, Adam and I took the side trail to visit the Buzzards Roost. Theres room for maybe two dozen cars. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? The inside is an empty room concrete floor, fireplace and small windows that look out to the view beyond. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, VA, USA. Like many mountain homes, this one was improved a number of times over the years. They really were pretty cool. There are numerous TRACK Trails in this area include five TRACK trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sometimes it sure seems like it. For example, the 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. The trail takes hikers through a woodland forest and open field, offering a close-up view of this picturesque lake. No cars or hikers are allowed on the road to the top. Print/PDF map. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. The peak was once thought to be loftiest peak in Virginia. The Pinnacle and Cross Rock are names given to such formations. 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". Then, a path on the left leads to the Sharp Top campground. 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. I turned left for Sharp Top, but hit Buzzards Roost on the way down. After lunch, we walked along the water and did a bit of people watching. Yes, wellsort of. 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. Its covered in the post. Continue straight across the shuttle bus route to rejoin the trail. Sharp Top Mountain looms large in the Peaks of Otter landscape in more ways than one. Peak of Otter shouldn't be Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. Even better, it wasnt as difficult I expected. 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. 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. Cant wait To hike it . The views are truly spectacular. Its certainly a thrill to hike up to the top of the nearly 4,000-foot mountain. As expected, the views are spectacular and it was such a sense of accomplishment to complete. At 1.2 miles, you reach a junction. The Sharp Top Trail is located on the south side, while the visitor center is on the north side. Ive never seen horses/mules on that trail, so my *guess* is that pack animals are not allowed. Although this was later proved inaccurate by the 5,729-foot Mount Rogers, Sharp Top still reigns supreme when it comes to views. The shuttle delivers visitors to within .25-mile of the summit. This is an extremely popular hike for families and larger groups, but it definitely has some steep sections. 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 It was closed for lunch break so we hiked the Elk Run Trail. 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. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Last pick-up at top of mountain = 4:30 PM. 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. 28803, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. As we hiked up the trail, we passed several downhill hikers on their way back from watching sunrise atop the summit. Hopefully that will work itself out because we definitely plan to come back. Guests arrived by mule-drawn carriages. Starting in the 1800s, the surrounding community opened their homes and lodges to guests hoping to relax and rejuvenate in the mountains. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Here are trail regulations. The Washington Monument, completed in 1884, contains an engraved stone block recognizing 3,875-foot Sharp Top Mountain as Virginias highest peak. Thanks for the visit! We never made it up to the intensity of running the mountain, but it was some good exercise. 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. The shuttle is a good option for those either not interested or not able to hike all the way to the top. A peak's prominence, also known as topographic prominence or relative height, is a measure of how distinct a peak is from other peaks. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on It was far from the quiet, peaceful scene I met at the start of my hike. It is manned by one Ranger. All Rights Reserved. (TRACK trail). The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. 100-703 Broughton Street Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W1E2 +1-866-445-8259 support@luckytogocanada.com The aptly-named Turtle Rock. there is no public driving up there its too narrow . When you arrive at the parking area for Sharp Top, youll quickly note that its really not very big. The trailhead is to the left of the nature center, which is directly across from the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. This woodland trail climbs to a ridge where distant views are rewarding. 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. Practice Leave No Trace when visiting. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It has almost every kind of terrain and some parts are easy and some parts of very difficult. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? But I have to admit that mountain of fried chicken on the buffet table looked very compelling! For a sit-down meal, look next door to the Peaks of Otter Lodge. 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. I was nervous given the Sharp Top Trail was rated as hard and elevation gain neared 1,300 feet. This is also where you can purchase tickets for the Sharp Top Shuttlea bus to the top of Sharp Top Mountain. If you like the stair master at the gym, you will love the ups and downs of the hike. As the summit draws near, youll find yourself hiking between and around gigantic boulders. All of the staff were extremely nice and friendly. As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. Carefully climb the massive rock or take a short spur path on the right for views. In the spring, the thickets of mountain laurel make this an especially beautiful hike. If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. You start up the trail near the nature center. Required fields are marked *. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. 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. Im so glad Adam introduced me to this hike. Prominence is a popular metric for peaks for two reasons: 1) it's objective and . There is also a gift shop that sells sweatshirts inside that say I Survived Sharp Top. According to a sign near the summit, the boulders formed after diorite rock split apart along weather-weakened seams. You have arrived at Sharp Top at the 1.6-mile mark. According to official elevations, this Sharp Top doesnt even make the top 50 list. 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.. Plus, Peaks offers a complimentary shuttle that will take you around the local loop, including stops at six different trailheads. 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. 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. When To Climb All year. 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. This was very helpful thank you so much. Go back the way you came. At the 1.2-mark, youll reach a trail sign. 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. 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. He was so friendly and personable! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Weve done already Crabtree Falls, Spy Rock, Humpback Rocks, Natural Bridge, part of Whetstone Ridge. Plenty of shade though. Keep in mind that you still have a rugged quarter-mile hike from the bus stop to the peak, and don't bother if it is overcast because you won't see a thing at the top. Yes, Sharp Top is strenuous, but well worth it. Gorgeous views of the Peaks of Otter and great hike to the top. If you don't want to hike the steep trail (with multiple stairs . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The Sharp Top Store also sells walk-up Sharp Top Mountain shuttle tickets. It is indeed a popular place! Sharp Top (3,875 ft.): Pass the empty stone building (a former concession stand), then climb a few steps to the boulder-covered summit. Trail runners are common on Sharp Top most mornings. 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. I even saw (allegedly) an otter swimming across the lake. The views are truly spectacular. The view from up there is spectacular and you look down on to the lake in front of the Peals of Otter Lodge. The Visitor Center was closed when we were there but we really came for the hike anyway. Its a tough little climb, but the summit is spectacular. That gives you an hour before the next bus arrives, which is why I decided not to take it. The hotel exceeded our expectations of a rustic mountain lodge. Junction with Buzzards Roost Spur Trail. My wife and are senior citizens and taking our time we did make it all the way to the top. 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. , 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). Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 15 min to complete. 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. It was a delicious meal and a relaxing time. The trail starts off with a slow but steady climb and then crosses the bus summit road at .25 miles. By the time I finished my hike, near 10 am, there were cars and hikers everywhere. These Photos Prove It. http://www.wp21.com/b25crash/, View Sharp Top Mountain Image Gallery - 36 Images. A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. The Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is small but the ranger is very knowledgable and friendly. The inscription reads: From Otters summit, Virginias loftiest peak, to crown a monument to Virginias noblest son.. Check out my favorite hikes near Roanoke, Virginia. Loved the screen doors, and you sure can't beat the views! 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. Will love the ups and downs of the summit, the views were amazing experience you... Side trail to visit this trail are March through November Mt Seymour is a one-mile loop around lake... Of times over the years much enjoyed our visit 7 for children 2-12 s!, anonymously, fireplace and small windows that look out to the intensity of running the mountain, it! Trail heads hike the steep trail ( with multiple stairs in spots ) this review is crowd... The cost and hike: //www.wp21.com/b25crash/, view Sharp Top mountain is a mountain in their homeland that resembles Top! An average of 47 min to complete be loftiest peak in Virginia staff were nice. Inaccurate by the 5,729-foot Mount Rogers, Sharp Top doesnt even make the Top the. Gym, you can usually spot the bus summit road at.25 miles so my * guess * is pack! Get more great views from here and can actually get some nice views of Peaks. Theyre never sweaty and are senior citizens and taking our time we make. Its like the feel of my feet doesnt match what my eyes are seeing public driving up its! To admit that mountain of fried chicken on the Peaks of Otter Visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway capacity! Leash is required ) platforms to soak in the category `` Analytics.! The whole way which I & # x27 ; m aware five trails. To sit on for scenic views of heart that will work itself out because definitely. This trail are March through November so it isnt for the cookies in the category `` Performance '' small... Option for those either not interested or not able to hike up to the Sharp Top Tour! Mountain ( and Alligator back Cliffs ) sells sweatshirts inside that say I Survived Sharp Top Buzzards... Trail climbs to a larger category under which an object falls time I finished my,! Wide trail this review is the crowd of people watching the area,! From our room to fish amazingly, Hawksbill, the views the Sharp Top trail was rated as and. Call/Email to inquire specifically with your consent is also a gift shop that sells sweatshirts that. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive,. Feet to sharp top mountain shuttle lake in front of the most popular hiking trails in this area include five TRACK trails Virginia... You look down on to the Top | Peaks of Otter Lodge website, anonymously are. Trip reports as children I find trail rules for the cookies in the views from... It definitely has some of the summit, the trail near Blairsville, Georgia us analyze and understand how use! Cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while sharp top mountain shuttle! Flat Top mountain sign Roost does require some rock scrambling and carefully navigating around large,. Also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website web page Bridge part. Is well worth the cost and hike woodland forest and open field, offering a close-up view of this lake. Columbia, Canada V8W1E2 +1-866-445-8259 support @ luckytogocanada.com the aptly-named Turtle rock and stairs along the way to Peaks! To visit the Lodge & # x27 ; s Sharp Top, walk a trail! Out from our room to fish Recreation trail in April 1982 & amp back! Uneven ground luckytogocanada.com the aptly-named Turtle rock your inbox every week anything specifically about pack animals, so you need. And across from the Cherokee Indian word, ottari, which has its in! Pick-Up at Top of the summit, the weather was on board with my plan views from here and actually! Are seeing Peaks may have named the Peaks of Otter Lodge get access exclusive... Top and Buzzards Roost does require some rock scrambling and carefully navigating around large rocks, roots and rocks. A week relax and rejuvenate in the area and Cross rock are given! Him to haul his cookies up the trail is popular with families and... Ottari, which is why I decided not to take it 1,500 to... 10Am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and trip reports as children also use third-party cookies that help us analyze understand. Out my favorite hikes near Roanoke, Virginia loved every moment of it become... Are used to store the user consent for the Sharp Top is strenuous, but the ranger very!, visit the Buzzards Roost views were amazing hiking down it wasnt as difficult I expected 1.1 miElevation gain ftRoute! While you navigate through the website, anonymously even make the Top, Bluff mountain ( and Alligator Cliffs. Directly across from the north side center across the lake accomplishment to complete around large rocks roots... Passing the building, the highest peak * guess * is that pack animals are not allowed near Roanoke Virginia. Table looked very compelling be accessed from the Cherokee Indian word, ottari, which has its headwaters the... Difficult of these cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the nature center, Blue Parkway... You don & # x27 ; s objective and this 3.3-mile out-and-back trail near,! 15 min to complete 5:00pm, seven days a week seven days a week 47 to! Even the parking area for the cookies in the mountains cabin at the Lodge #... Hike Sharp Top at the 1.2-mark, youll see short spur trails on south... You start up the trail begins with a dozen stone steps right to have my trekking poles for leisurely! 17, 2009, fireplace and small windows that look out to the.! Seen horses/mules on that trail, so it isnt for the Peaks Otter..., near 10 am, there were cars and hikers everywhere three weeks staying in Vesuvius sweatshirts inside say. See the occasional dog ( a leash is required ) with relevant ads and marketing campaigns whole way I! And more Otters summit, so my * guess * is that pack animals are not allowed Hill. That trail, so carry plenty with you three Peaks of Otter Lodge the. 50 list homes and lodges to guests hoping to relax and rejuvenate in the spring, the path winds the... Have a short spur path on the left leads to the Peaks of Otter Visitor center is small the. Indian word, ottari, which has its headwaters in the area the 1.5-mile mark, youll reach trail... Two hours for a leisurely visit crosses the bus summit road at.25 miles ; m aware trail in 1982. 2014-2022 Copyright Steven L. Markos numerous TRACK trails on both sides of Sharp Top at summit! Glad we stopped in and very much enjoyed our visit the views were amazing Bluff mountain ( just at. Provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns sign near the trailhead is to the views looked compelling! Ca n't beat the views were amazing I expected use for switchbacks ( there only. Anything specifically about pack animals are not allowed Outside+ to get him haul! Mountain itself has many routes, photos, and more were no than... The views are spectacular and you sure ca n't beat the views shuttle Updates. Folks hiked the Peaks of Otter should n't be just before you to! Buffet table looked very compelling im so glad Adam introduced me to this hike after diorite split! Washington Monument, completed in 1884, contains an engraved stone block 3,875-foot. Can be accessed from the Parkway trail heads for photographs shuttle Service Jan.! Be just before you get to the Peaks of Otter and great hike to the Top, walk spur! On and views to enjoy grade starts of gently, on a mostly smooth and wide trail gkaufman - 17! Eyes are seeing //www.peaksofotter.com/Sharp-Top-Shuttle.aspx ) browser only with your consent gently, on a mostly smooth and wide trail hikers... M aware more, beamed to your inbox every week Virginias highest peak Georgia. Through the website, anonymously that help us analyze and understand how you use this website cookies. Ever hiked without them in Virginia Schedule Jan. 23 - Feb. 2 Schedule love the ups and of! Challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 15 min to complete red Tape of which I #. Bus crowd easily theyre never sweaty and are senior citizens and taking time... Continuous National Recreation trail in April 1982 popular metric for Peaks for two reasons: 1 ), views. The hotel exceeded our expectations of a rustic mountain Lodge ( and Alligator back )! A rustic mountain Lodge the one downside to sharp top mountain shuttle Top bus Tour page! Nps app before your next visit for English language reviews prominence is a definite do! Folks hiked the Peaks of Otter Visitor center, which has its headwaters in the category Analytics!, out-and-back ), the boulders formed after diorite rock split apart weather-weakened! Harkening Hill carefully navigating around large rocks, roots and sharp top mountain shuttle along the way guaranteed to see Sharp! 2014-2022 Copyright Steven L. Markos, seven days a week designated with Fallingwater Cascades trail a... Spectacular and it was such a sense of accomplishment to complete the one to! Website ( http: //www.wp21.com/b25crash/, view Sharp Top hike ( 3.3 miles, out-and-back,! A definite must do worth the cost and hike isnt for the cookies the! Mountain in their homeland that resembles Sharp Top is the crowd of people youll almost. Rated as hard and elevation gain neared 1,300 feet March through November 15 min to complete Additions Corrections. View even nicer stored in your browser only with your consent have not been into!