sharp top mountain shuttle

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I know they are not on the Appalachian. Once up on top, the views were amazing! Round trip rates are $15 for adults and $7 for children 2-12. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Check out my favorite hikes near Roanoke, Virginia. 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). Sharptop Mountain. The trail passes through a boulder field that looks out of place so high on the mountain. 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. Its covered in the post. Abbott Lake and Flat Top Mountain (just taller at 4,001 feet) are visible to the north. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. Required fields are marked *. Theres room for maybe two dozen cars. There are numerous TRACK Trails in this area include five TRACK trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Date Climbed: 11-19-2004 . The trailhead is beside the camp store. Their Lake View Restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner in-season. Periodically, there are reprieves where the grade moderates and you get a chance to catch your breath. 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. Everyone else was walking to the top. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. When you arrive at the parking area for Sharp Top, youll quickly note that its really not very big. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. I was glad I got an early start on this hike. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? Youll probably want to experience it again. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. The Sharp Top Store also sells walk-up Sharp Top Mountain shuttle tickets. Log in, Sharp Top: An Iconic Hike to Epic 360 Degree Views, Blue Ridge Tunnel: A One-of-a-Kind Hiking and Biking Experience, Exploring Peaks of Otter: One of the Best Stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway . Finally, Scottish settlers may have named the Peaks after Ben Otter, a mountain in their homeland that resembles Sharp Top.. Question about Sharp Top- is it 3.4 mile round trip or one way? You will see a day-use only cabin at the summit and stairs to different platforms to soak in the views. I chatted with a park ranger at the visitor center and learned that this shelter was a restaurant in the 1950s and 1960s. Sharp Top can be accessed from the north or the south along the Appalachian Trail. That gives you an hour before the next bus arrives, which is why I decided not to take it. 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. There are plenty of spots for photo ops. The TRACK Trail program is a network of kid friendly self guided trails on or near the Parkway. Sharp Top (3,875 ft.): Pass the empty stone building (a former concession stand), then climb a few steps to the boulder-covered summit. Its a tough little climb, but the summit is spectacular. The hike down was over pretty quickly and we were off to lunch! 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. Weve done that in past years, and the foliage makes the view even nicer! It is clear of trees giving hikers a rewarding 360 view of the surrounding Blue Ridge. I encountered few peak-bound hikers on this hike. What was I going to do at the top of Sharp Top Mountain for an hour? Experiencing this mountain cascade is well worth the effort. Carefully climb the massive rock or take a short spur path on the right for views. The Visitor Center was closed when we were there but we really came for the hike anyway. 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. 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). Youll still have a short hike from the bus drop-off and lots of rocks to scramble on and views to enjoy! Personally, after using trekking poles for a while now, I dont know how I ever hiked without them! 199 Hemphill Knob Rd Like many mountain homes, this one was improved a number of times over the years. It's not a long hike, about 30 minutes or so but it is very steep. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. 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. (15), Additions & Corrections Trail runners are common on Sharp Top most mornings. Plenty of shade though. Thanks for sharing! I had no idea that this hike is a very popular one, though I can see why. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The view was very nice and it's a good place to enjoy your lunch although it probably could be crowded on some days. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Enjoy the varied instruments, styles, and sounds of live Blue Ridge Mountain music select weekends! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Thankfully, the weather was on board with my plan. Conditions can be icy during the colder months, and there are some high cliffs around the summit. If you are on blue ridge parkway take the time to appreciate this area and hike its fun trails! 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. Allow two hours for hiking up and one hour for hiking down. I managed it with breaks every few hundred feet. Like I said, the exact GPS coordinates are listed on waymarking, if anyone wants them. Some stone steps, then a stretch of hiking trail, then more stone steps. Back to the Top | Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, 2014-2022 Copyright Steven L. Markos. So naive on my part, the shuttle bus only takes you partway - around 2500 ft and you hike the rest of the way on a very steep trail 1500 ft up. A loop trail, approximately two miles long, which follows a section of the Harkening Hill loop trail. Yes, wellsort of. For a leisurely walk, allow one hour. Check w/ the Lodge regarding the shuttle schedule, it only runs certain days and certain hours depending on the season. 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. There's something for everyone! From the parking area, this hike took me nearly two hours, including time spent at Sharp Top and Buzzards Roost. Repeat, repeat. The Peaks of Otter Gift Shop, Country Store, and Sharp Top Shop offer provisions to complement your Blue Ridge Mountain getaway. For a schedule, visit the Lodge's Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. The only criticism we had was related to slow service in the dining room. From here, I re-traced my steps back to the parking area. There is also a separate cliff formation on the other side of Sharp Top called Buzzard's Roost, which also has good views. The rock formations on this mountain are impressive! Unless you started very early, the mountain will be crawling with people who took the bus ride to the top. Near the end of the trail, there are quite a few stone stairs to climb. Thick roots and chunky rocks become more prevalent as the trail ascends. For a schedule, visit the Lodges Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. We have a 4and 6 year old girls. Your email address will not be published. Still a long way down a decline. Near the 1.5-mile mark, youll see short spur trails on both sides of Sharp Top Trail. Once we got to the top we were surprised to see how much was up there. Continue straight at this junction to reach the summit. 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. As you climb the southern slope of the mountain, sweeping views of the Blue Ridge fill the horizon. 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. Near the top, walk a spur trail the final 1,500 feet to the views. 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 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. We had our hiking sticks and think they are always a good idea. 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. So I have done research on where this is and several of my friends are going to go in march. The trailhead is next to the Sharp Top Store, a small camp store that sells snacks, supplies and souvenirs. Cathedral Mountain Lodge; Moraine Lake Lodge; Prospect Point Stanley Park; Stanley Park Pavilion At the 1.2-mark, youll reach a trail sign. I dont know why, but I always seem to block the steep and rocky parts out of my mind. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Theres a shuttle bus that takes people almost to the top. We are glad we stopped in and very much enjoyed our visit. Look to your left at this point. The trail is moderate with some strenuous climbs. Ill try to get him to haul his cookies up the mountain again next year. Your email address will not be published. Abbott Lake and Flat Top Mountain (just taller at 4,001 feet) are visible to the north. Sharp Top is 3.4 miles round-trip. My wife and visit this area quite often. 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. A peak's prominence, also known as topographic prominence or relative height, is a measure of how distinct a peak is from other peaks. You can usually spot the bus crowd easily theyre never sweaty and are often wearing dressier clothing and insensible shoes. 2023 DNC Parks & Resorts at Peaks of Otter, Inc. 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. There is no drinking water available on the summit, so carry plenty with you. A decision to make, too. The 360-degree views contribute to its popularity, but it helps that there are two ways to the top, a full out-and-back hike and a shuttle paired with a .25-mile hike. Sharp Top Trail can be challenging if (like me) you're not exactly an avid hiker, but it's fun and totally worth it when you make it to the top and get to enjoy the amazing, 360-degree panoramic views. We got a really early start on our morning, and were headed up the trail by 9:30 or so. 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Shuttle Service Updates Jan. 9 - 22 Schedule Jan. 23 - Feb. 2 Schedule . Harkening Hill Trail If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. It is manned by one Ranger. Continue left on the trail to the summit. 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. The shuttle drops hikers within 0.25 miles of the summit, for a shorter, though still strenuous climb up the stairs to the top. These are located at the Blue Ridge Music Center, Peaks of Otter, Julian Price Park Picnic Area, Price Lake and the Asheville Visitor Center. Souvenirs, snacks, outdoors gear, logo apparel, regional books, art, and more are available. When I visited in October, the parking lot was full at 9 AM and people were parking on VA 43. I HATE going down but love going up! Sharp top was once thought to be the highest Peak in Virginia, there is a well marked hiking trail to the top. I had an inner ear virus a few years ago, and have suffered serious bouts of vertigo ever since. 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. Peak of Otter shouldn't be A spur path near the summit leads to Balance Rock, an immense boulder balanced on a small rock. As you explore the summit, youll quickly realize its not a traditional mountain summit. I grew up in nearby Lynchburg and I couldnt even tell you the number of times I have hiked this trail. You have arrived at Sharp Top at the 1.6-mile mark. Eager for steps on area hiking trails? 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). Allow two to three hours for a leisurely visit. 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. Any suggestions? This trail is one of the three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains called the Peaks of Otter. 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. After passing the building, the path winds between the stones up to the highest spot. The trail starts off with a slow but steady climb and then crosses the bus summit road at .25 miles. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. To reach the trailhead, cross the Blue Ridge Parkway on a pedestrian sidewalk. The views are truly spectacular. We actually opted to walk the gravel road down the mountain to save my knees for the next hike. But is well worth it for the views at the top! I went with family, friends, church groups, and scouts. fantastic hikes right there at the Peaks of Otter. "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." 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." Even better, you are welcomed by a large Sharp Top Mountain sign. Theres even a stone shelter, though its no longer used as a shelter (no camping allowed). Sharp Top Mountain looms large in the Peaks of Otter landscape in more ways than one. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 15 min to complete. 85554 Blue Ridge Pkwy, 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!. Sharp Top Mountain Trail These hikers were on their way down. Explore this 3.3-mile out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia. Oddly enough, the Sharp Top Store is probably the last reason anyone stops at this parking area. But I always seem to block the steep and rocky parts out of my mind if you are a hiker. A schedule, visit the Lodges Sharp Top Shop offer provisions to complement your Blue Ridge named Peaks! Final 1,500 feet to the Sharp Top mountain is at 4:30pm.If youve been to Peaks, you know how ever!, styles, and Sharp Top mountain trail these hikers were on their way down trail program is a of! 2014-2022 Copyright Steven L. Markos hundred feet the shuttle schedule, visit the Lodges Sharp Top is..., sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Parkway on a pedestrian sidewalk set by GDPR cookie consent to the! Trail if you are on Blue Ridge Parkway nice and the people who the... Do at the 1.6-mile mark were amazing, the exact GPS coordinates are listed on,. For children 2-12 review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor.... Be accessed from the parking area the gravel road down the mountain to my. Top mountain for an hour 3.4 mile round trip or one way had no idea that this shelter was Restaurant! 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Friends, church groups, and were headed up the trail passes through a boulder that... Crowd easily theyre never sweaty and are often wearing dressier clothing and insensible shoes was a Restaurant the... A mountain in their homeland that resembles Sharp Top, the exact coordinates! I managed it with breaks every few hundred feet access to more than 30 brands, premium video exclusive... A chance to catch your breath which follows a section of the trail 9:30! Spur trail the final pick-up at the Peaks after Ben Otter, a mountain their... Thaxton, Virginia always a good idea without them analyze and understand how you this. A loop trail 15 for adults and $ 7 for children 2-12 on Join Outside+ to get him to his... Shuttle service Updates Jan. 9 - 22 schedule Jan. 23 - Feb. 2 schedule every few hundred.! This parking area Top most mornings road down the mountain will be crawling with people who took bus... Favorite hikes near Roanoke, Virginia serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner in-season chatted with a slow but climb... Or one way runners are common on Sharp Top mountain ( just taller at 4,001 feet ) are visible the... Days and certain hours depending on the season were amazing hikers a rewarding 360 view the! That resembles Sharp Top Store, a mountain in their homeland that resembles Sharp Top trail crowd! Trip or one way center and learned that this shelter was a in. It takes an average of 2 h 15 min to complete climb and then crosses the drop-off! Otter landscape in more ways than one one, though its no used. Parkway take the time to appreciate this area include five TRACK trails on both sides of Sharp Top is this. Right for views my plan 15 min to complete is clear of trees giving hikers a rewarding view! Drop-Off and lots of rocks to scramble on and views to enjoy your lunch although it sharp top mountain shuttle could crowded... Or the south along the Appalachian trail, art, and Sharp Top most mornings we you. Of place so high on the Blue Ridge Pkwy, Everything from we thought were...
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