Take plenty of water and some light weight snacks. We did this as a sunrise hike this morning--what a great hike! They are short, but sweet, and by sweet I mean tough, about as tough mile for mile as you'll find anywhere in the state. There is a stone cottage at the peak. 53 year old, pack a day smoker. The trail is un-blazed but is well worn. This loop offers venues that are all within sight of the Peaks of Otter, named for the three peaks at the headwaters of the Big Otter River. We will be back. Tough workout but due to its length I would give the Sharp Top Hike 3 stars for difficulty...I would also have to lower Solitude to one star as there were dozens of people and dogs on the Sharp Top Trail today. This was a pleasant alternative route to the described out and back. So if you are in shape or pace yourself this is a beautiful and fun trail to hike, the summit offers spectacular views. In contrast, you will probably run into very few hikers on Flat Top. On the banks of the lake lies the Peaks of Otter Lodge, the setting of which is truly spectacular (and exceptionally photogenic). The views at the top of Sharp Top and Flat Top are unbelievable. This is the view from the observation deck onto of Sharp Top...well worth the hike! of Tourism Go about 0.1 miles and take a left crossing Route 43 again heading towards the lake. sergei@visitbedford.com, Botetcourt County Chamber of Commerce The other engine is nearly 500 feet further down the mountain. The one linked here begins at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. The 24-acre lake features a one-mile loop trail, and is stocked with smallmouth bass, catfish, golden shiners, sunfish, and blue gill. Visit Website > View Details > Falling Creek Park. 434.369.6665 This is Sharp Top Mountain; picture taken from the Peaks of Otter Lodge. If you dislike stairs and want to see the view, take the bus from the lodge to the top (in season). I dispise climbing down stairs. Peaks of Otter hiking trails Virginia is located on milepost 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. View Details. Beautiful. To save time and effort, park at the lower lot (near the road) of the Peaks of Otter Lodge, which is just a half mile north of the Visitor Center. They drove me back to the trail after we stopped to get coffee at a small country store. info@lynchburgchamber.org, COVID-19 & the VBWT: Be Safe While Outdoors. You will use this route later if you decide to do the Flat Top hike. At the end of the dam take a right going past Polly Wood’s Ordinary. It's not about rushing to the destination, it's enjoying the trail as well. Starting in the 1800s, the surrounding community opened their homes and lodges to guests hoping to relax and rejuvenate in the mountains. This link has additional information about the Peaks of Otter area and about halfway down has an interesting story about a WW2 B25 Mitchell Bomber that crashed into Sharp Top Mountain in 1943. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center View all 32 archived reviews for the Peaks of Otter hike. 434.936.0990 Once thought to be the highest peak in Virginia, this 2.5 hour hike is one that will leave you speechless at the top. 85554 Blue Ridge Parkway. Nice hike, good workout, and less crowded than neighboring Sharp Top. I live close-by and head over to the Peaks whenever I fancy a quick workout. Great views as expected. Peaks of Otter Hiking Trails 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. The Visitor Center was closed when we were there but we really came for the hike anyway. Note: Visitors Center closed today due to gov't shutdown and Parkway access from north might be restricted as well. 540.586.9401 T he 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. Some notes: -There are two trails to Flat Top's summit. Sharp Top is the shorter of the two summit hikes and the most popular (and crowded); but even at 3.6 miles the elevation gain is quite steep and the workout is strenuous. If you know your WW2 history, Bedford lost 19 young men during the 1st phase of the D-Day landings in Normandy, more than any other city in the U.S.A. of a comparable size. This was a hard trail. lmeriwether@lynchburgchamber.org, Lexington-Rockbridge County Chamber of Comerce Be advised that some sites, even if still open, may have certain public facilities closed during this time. From the Spur Trail take a left onto the Flat Top Trail and retrace your steps to return to the Visitor Center. I run a few miles on the treadmill every day and he weightlifts. We are hiking novices, and it was a challenge, but not so much to deter our return to find that plane. The Peaks of Otter Park contains numerous other facilities which include restrooms, picnic facilities, hiking trails, campground, motel, and restaurant. Hike Abstract Location: Flat Top Mountain Overlook, Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, VA Distance from Hubs: Raleigh (161 miles – 3 hours and 6 min) Greensboro (125 miles – 2 hours and 23 min) Roanoke (32 miles – 55 min) Trail Access: From Bedford, VA follow VA-43 north for 10.3 mi. 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 Valley Mountains to the west. Flat Top Hike: From the Visitor Center cross back across the BRP and then Route 43 taking a left at the intersection with the sign to the Lake Trail. lexingtontourismdirector@rockbridge.net, Lynchburg Regional Chamber The trailhead is located to the right of the building. We had lost power during the ear The mountains of Peaks of Otter all have trails ranging from less than a mile to more than four miles, and there is nearby access to the Appalachian Trail. From the trail-head to the first good overlook is about 1 mile. There is a parking lot on the eastern side and you will see a brown sign denoting the beginning of the Flat Top trail. 540.463.5375 Note: Both hikes are out and back with the trails unblazed. Bedford, Virginia --Five men of the armed forces, four lieutenants and one corporal, met instant death Tuesday night a little before 10 o'clock when a twin-engined army plane crashed into the Peaks of Otter on the southwest slope of … Might be closed more going forward so check Parkway website for info. Except for a short ridgeline, the stairs continue throughout the 1,500 feet of elevation. The next 1.4 miles is a constant up with not many switchbacks until you reach the first overlooks. bcchamber@cablenet-va.net, Bedford City & Couty Dept. From the Peaks of Otter Campground, Virginia, a visitor can easily explore the iconic mountains of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Continuation Route: From the Spur Trail take a right onto the Flat Top Trail, staying on the trail to the Flat Top Parking Area. There are lots of switch backs on this part of the trail with the final leg being quite straight to the Parking area. Modern visitors can stay the night at historic Peaks of Otter Lodge, explore the visitor center, visit Johnson Farm, or hike a trail. 540.473.8280 Hiking Peaks of Otter has some of the most popular hiking trails in Virginia! Continue on the trail ignoring the next intersection, bear to the right at the next one heading across the earthen dam of Abbot Lake. The hikes can be done in combination or separately. I like these hikes. 434.845.5966 He said that if we go to the Buzzards Roost trail, just a few feet inside the beginning of the spur to the left there was a little deer trail and if you follow it, you will find the plane wreckage from a B-25. Other than that, the Sharp Top adventure was very exciting to experience. Be sure to wear the proper footwear, ankle support will be a must because the trail is mixed with not so bad areas, and, some somewhat challenging spots to test your agility and stamina. 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