This hike is definitely strenuous. A little confusing if you follow the directions it takes you to the peaks of otter lodge and to get to the trail you go behind the lodge by the water and then through a parking lot and the trail head post is at the bottom on the left. A beautiful trail. This hike is so amazing, the views are incredible and the trail is fun but you should def bring bug spray if you don’t want to be swatting at your body every 5 seconds. At the top you need to walk past the sign and follow the trail down and to the right and there’s rocks you can get on to get the amazing view at the top. Not sure why the AllTrails map starts at the furthest side of the Lodge parking lot. The actual trail starts at a natural spring. Lots of tiny bugs, mosquitos, and huge flies. Milepost 85.9 – Elk Run Trail (self-guiding loop nature trail from Peaks of Otter Visitor Center) Length: 0.8 Miles Skill Level: Easy Johnson Farm Loop Trail (loop to restored mountain farm) Length: 2.1 Miles Skill Level: Moderate Harkening Hill Trail (elevation -3300 feet; begin at Peaks of Otter Visitor Center) Peaks of Otter Hiking Trails. Peaks of Otter will have a shuttle available (limited capacity) with pick-up and drop-off at the Lodge; reservations required. Be ready for that if you don’t hike all that often. I think it's equal to sharp top with nice views on each side when you get to the top. It is open May through October. From the Peaks of Otter Campground, Virginia, a visitor can easily explore the iconic mountains of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great workout. I’ve outlined three hiking options that range from 2.8 to 3.6 miles. The view is gorgeous though. For those who cannot hike 1.5 mile and 1,300 ft elevation gain trail up to the top of Sharp Top, there is a shuttle service that people up to within … Enjoy our video of the 2016 hike! The National D-Day memorial is located in the unassuming town of Bedford, Virginia; a 3.5 hour drive from Raleigh and just 20 minutes from our basecamp for the weekend. Area hikes include: Sharp Top, Elk Run, Harkening Hill and Johnson Farm Trails. There are four big piles of boulders around the top areas of the hike, which allow you to see a view from every side of the mountain and it is truly spectacular. The view is indescribable still. Bus rides to within 1,500 feet of the Sharp Top summit are available at a station not far from the visitor center. 5 star hike BUT the bugs here were the bane of my existence. This hike was my absolute favourite in the appalachian area. BRPA is the official marketing partner of the Blue Ridge Parkway – NPS. The other day we decided to take one last hike in those beloved peaks. It was a perfect day. Visit the Peaks of Otter Lodge website to see available dates and book reservations online (you can also call 866-387-9905). With stunning views, natural beauty, and the surrounding Jefferson National Forest, it’s no wonder the Peaks of Otter area has attracted people to the region for more than 8,000 years. The Peaks of Otter hike to Harkening Hill also begins across the Blue Ridge Parkway. No bears were seen on the mountain (we saw one on the short lake trail at the base), but there are HUNDREDS of beautiful butterflies. Johnson Farm is also here – a living history farm that entices visitors to play games, help work the garden, or enjoy nature’s beauty by relaxing on the porch in a rocking chair. The Peaks and Sharp Top Are Easy to Find. This area includes a 62-table picnic area, camp store, and 141-site campground, which features 53 RV/Trailer sites. Please note the special regulations posted lakeside, Explore a small gift shop for Blue Ridge Parkway keepsakes at the Visitor Center, Grab a snack or camping supplies at the camp store, located at the start of the Sharp Top trail, near the campground, Camp under the stars at a Parkway-operated 144-site campground at the foot of Sharp Top mountain, with sites for 92 tents and 52 trailers or RVs, water, comfort stations with flush toilets and cold water sinks (no showers or hook-ups), Parkway recorded information line: 828-298-0398. We started at 8am and took our time, lots of rocks starting a third of the way up. Today, the Peaks of Otter still inspires travelers on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This weekend will include several shorter hikes, suitable for all levels. This adds an extra .6-mile, round trip, to the hike. The leaves aren't too bad. Sharp Top is the most famous hike with its spectacular 360° view at the top. The Johnson Farm, one of the few reminders of the old community, supplied fruit and vegetables to the hotel. The Peaks of Otter Lodge is the only year-round accommodation on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. We parked in the little lot down the parkway, not at the visitor center. Call 866-387-9905 for reservations and choose option 4 to book activities. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Virginia: Address, Phone Number, Peaks of Otter Visitor Center Reviews: 4.5/5 ... Will be back someday to get to Sharp Top on the shuttle and hike down,hike Fallingwater Cascades Trail and Harkening Hill ... (Facilities at the Peaks are closed in winter, but the trails are open… The entire trail is gravel on dirt. It’s straight uphill for two miles. An absolute challenge with the continuous steep inclines. great trail, very well kept and less traffic then other side of the mountain. I am an Iraq veteran and I heard that there is a B-52 sight up by there somewhere but nobody seems to know where it is. Look for a paved path that leads through a tunnel under the Blue Ridge Parkway. The primary activity at Peaks of Otter is hiking. The Flat Top trail begins at the Big Spring parking lot. I question the mileage, though. Peaks of Otter Hiking Trails. At Peaks of Otter Lodge. View up top is beautiful especially with everything being so green now. 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. Download the Peaks of Otter trails map. Although there are several campgrounds and other accommodations along the Parkway, they’re only open seasonally. Beautiful and quiet. A little confusing if you follow the directions it takes you to the peaks of otter lodge and to get to the trail you go behind the lodge by the water and then through a parking lot and the trail head post is at the bottom on the left. The view isn’t as mesmerizing as Sharp Top but certainly is still beautiful. Most start this hike from the Peaks of Otter Lodge parking area, however you can also start from the Peaks of Otter Picnic Area off VA 43. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Virginia: Address, Phone Number, Peaks of Otter Visitor Center Reviews: 4.5/5 ... so make the most of your time in the city by going on an evening tour on an open-air trolley. Date of Hike: Friday, August 26, 2011: We love peaks of otter hike the views are awesome absolutely. Will def do this hike again. The trailhead is located to the right of the building. lots of loose gravel so take it slow. The hike is REALLY HARD. $64 per person, plus tax. parked at the lodge and walked through the campsite to the trail head. The Peaks of Otter TRACK Trail follows the Abbott Lake Trail for an easy 1-mile loop around the lake, and then the Johnson Farm Trail for a 1.8-mile loop that passes through Johnson Farm - a mountain farmstead that exists today as it did in the 1850's. The visitor center offers restrooms, water, and an amphitheater. Today, the Peaks of Otter still inspires travelers on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. This easy, one mile loop trail around Abbott Lake takes hikers through a woodland forest and open field, offering a close-up view of this picturesque lake. Escape the bustle and experience an amazing hiking and camping trip. Quite similar to sharp top but longer. Recommend. It’s a steady climb with very few “stop off” points. Park at the Peaks of Otter Nature Center (which is now closed). 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. Peaks of Otter Lodge At Peaks of Otter Lodge, we are focused on creating a great guest experience and the health and safety of our employees and guests is our highest priority. sign says 4001 feet. This historic lodge offers 63 rooms, a full-service restaurant, and lounge. Event Details 2:30–4:30 p.m. Sharp Top Hike. Starts very gradual then to a decent incline the rest of the way. Awesome hike! Trail gets to be more of a scramble towards the ascent and the trailheads are harder to find but you can still make it through. An excellent location for a proposal . Apple cider donuts available while they last! Historic buildings include: Johnson Farm and Polly Woods Ordinary. The lodge is typically open from spring to late fall, as well as weekends in the winter. But the views at the end make it worth it! Took the shorter, steeper route up this from the lake having already done Sharp Top earlier in the day. It … We are gonna go up there again soon maybe 2 weekends from now. Explore Peaks of Otter - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Amazing view at top, but yes, you must climb on top of some boulder piles. Behind the Peaks of Otter Lodge is Abbott Lake, named for Stanley William Abbott, the Parkway’s first resident landscape architect and planner. There are three main peaks; Flat Top, Sharp Top, and Harkening Hill in order from highest peak altitude to lowest peak altitude. There were some people camping on top of one of the piles, not sure if that’s allowed but a pretty great idea. From the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center (MP 85.9) a .3-mile connector trail leads to the start of the Johnson Farm Loop Trail. Enjoyed the trail. This was my second peak of the three hikes here at Peaks of Otter and I still recommend it. We are taking appropriate actions to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus based on the guidance of the CDC, and we are excited to be back open! The third peak of the trio is Harkening Hill, at an elevation of 3364 feet. To see the INCREDIBLE view you have to scramble up the boulders. The visitor center offers restrooms, water, and an amphitheater. The area wasn’t a secret for long: in 1834 the first inn opened and by the turn of the century the Peaks of Otter was a popular tourist destination. Want a sneak preview of the program? Peaks of Otter Lodge – Recommended Accommodation on Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway. Each TRACK Trail features self-guided brochures and signs that turn your visit into a fun and exciting outdoors experience. The sun was shining, the blue sky was speckled with fluffy white clouds, and a cool breeze brought refreshment as we hiked into the hills. The lodge is typically open from spring to late fall, as well as weekends in the winter. Beautiful hike up the mountain without many other people there, summit view was stunning! Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. Was going to hike Sharp Top but there were way too many people... glad I went for the second option! Each of the peaks have well-traveled hiking trails, but Sharp Top Trail is by far the most popular trail of the three. Definitely need some good hiking shoes. It was crowded at all. First part of the hike is pretty beast but a great workout and amazing views. Here at the Peaks of Otter site, Parkway visitors will find only a few reminders of a small community made up of 22 families. Definitely tough first mile. We went on a Sunday at 10 am and passed no one. See our Eating & Sleeping page for more information. Lots of lovely wildflowers along the trail. Native Americans passed through the area while hunting, and European settlers began to call the region home in the mid-1700s. Recreation Additional Information: There are multiple hiking trails, including the popular trails to the summits to Sharp Top Mountain and Flat Top Mountain. 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. nice view at the top. Cold bottles and wine by the glass are available. There are also a number of hiking trails that start from the Visitor Center. Make sure you have hiking boots on and people who are a bit clumsier may want a hiking stick. OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. Straight incline for the first mile or so! Visit the Peaks of Otter Lodge website to see available dates and book reservations online (you can also call 866-387-9905). From the parking area, this hike took me nearly two hours, including time spent at Sharp Top and Buzzard’s Roost. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, located along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, provides travelers with information about the Blue Ridge Mountains Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, USA. Reservations can be made for portions of this campground online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, VA, USA Get Directions 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. Its was our second hike this year and my calves are sore today. Strenuous hike with multiple false summits — we hiked up to the top in 1 hour 40 mins and were covered in sweat. Very rocky trail with similar view to Sharp Top Mountain but very different hikes. If beginning from the lodge, when you get to the sign at the peak, go a bit beyond it & there’s a large boulder off to the right - that’s the viewpoint. Longer distance & lower incline than Sharp Top but arguable just as (if not more) strenuous. Amazing view at the top. Directions: The Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is located at Milepost 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sharp Top is historically significant as it marked the northernmost boundary of the Cherokee Nation. Took longer to come down than to climb. It's a short but grueling hike to get this shot, especially with a large format camera and in the hours before sunrise. There is also a separate cliff formation on the other side of Sharp Top called Buzzard's Roost, which also has good views. You will cross over a paved bus road soon after beginning the hike. Many rocks to sit and enjoy the view from for hours. The Peaks of Otter campground is located at milepost 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Seemed long and boring. Once thought to be the highest peak in Virginia, this 2.5 hour hike is one that will leave you speechless at the top. Reservations are required, through Peaks of Otter Lodge, with limited space available. Explore Polly Wood’s Ordinary, a cabin that served as the first lodging for travelers through the area starting in the early 1830’s. Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Virginia: See 155 reviews, articles, and 179 photos of Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, ranked No.246 on Tripadvisor among 2,878 attractions in Virginia. Sharp Top Trail (1.5 miles) 5:00 p.m. Dinner and Discussion. Abbott Lake is open to fishing for anyone with a valid North Carolina or Virginia fishing license. 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. Difficult hike and took about 2 hours to hike up with frequent stops. Get the Parkway Travel Planner (PDF or Print), ©2020 Blue Ridge Parkway Association, Inc. 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