The lowliest of the three Peaks of Otter, Harkening Hill is the only one with a “loop” trail that swings by the top. Read more. Compared to Sharp Top and other trails in the Peaks of Otter Recreational Area, this trail gets much less traffic. View Map > Visit Website > View Details > Elk Run Loop Trail. Our route in total was about 4.5 miles. The area is almost completely surrounded by Jefferson National Forest, making the area secluded. The "Peaks of Otter" are made up of Flat Top (4001 feet), Sharp Top (3875 feet) and Harkening Hill (3375 feet). A nice, often-forgotten or ignored trail at the Peaks of Otter. (18+, 10+ with an adult) This loop is part of the trails at the Peaks of Otter area on the Blue Ridge Parkway. These majestic spires dominate the skyline and the scenic vistas for miles around, making them the crown jewels in this pristine forest and recreational oasis. It passes near Balance Rocks, an old farm and Peaks Of Otter Lake. A gain of just under 1,000 feet from the parking lot makes it a decent 3.5-mile walk. The Peaks of Otter, located in Bedford County, Virginia, is a highlight of the Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 86) consisting of three peaks: Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. It begins behind the visitor center and across from the amphitheater. At the Peaks of Otter, the hill harkened, and we answered! These peaks are Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. About half way you will reach the summit and balance rocks. Overnight rain left the mountainside cool and wet. A spur path near the summit leads to Balance Rock, an immense boulder balanced on a small rock. You can check out the other trails and a rough map here. 939 Burks Hill Rd. November 3, 2020 November 16, 2020 Erin Virginia Mountains. Famous naturalists and such notable historic figures as Thomas Jefferson and Robert E. Lee wrote about or visited the Peaks of Otter during their lives. Hike the Star Trail to the Iconic Roanoke Star. 6 likes. 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. It's all here from a leisurely stroll around Abbott Lake to a challenging hike up Sharp Top Mountain, to night skies viewing and special events. I recently hiked the three Peaks of Otter in Bedford, Virginia: Sharp Top, Harkening Hill and Flat Top. I’d wanted to hike to the Roanoke Star for quite some time. The view from Milepost 86 on the Blue Ridge Partway is dominated by three imposing mountain peaks: Flat Top, Sharp Top and Harkening Hill. HaHa! Don't get me wrong - these hikes only total about 12 miles when combined, but we did each on a separate occasion and yesterday just happened to be the time to do Harkening Hill. 85554 Blue Ridge Parkway. Harkening Hill Trail is 3.3 miles long. Enjoy & research Bedford, Virginia with trail guides, topo maps, photos, reviews & GPS routes on Trails.com. Sharp Top had been previously believed by early settlers to be the highest mountain in North America by Thomas Jefferson (of course, later disproven, as even the tallest mountain of Virginia is Mount Rogers). Start the hike clockwise by taking the Harkening Hill Trail behind the Visitor Center and the amphitheater. Local Business. Hikes with Views . We had heard of Peaks of Otter for years but had never visited it. Being so close to both Roanoke and Bedford, VA, one can also combine activities like movies with an "outdoor" vacation. The trail ends at the junction of the Johnson Farm Trail. The Peaks of Otter, which consists of Sharp Top and Flat Top mountains and Harkening Hill, have been well-loved for hundreds of years. Harkening Hill is a less crowded option, especially than the popular Sharp Top. 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. Because fewer feet tread this trail, you'll likely find it to be in better shape than others in the area. Johnson Farm Loop portion is more traveled than the Harkening Hill part In August 2014, my mother-in-law and I hit the area trails and, upon arriving, decided upon a route that combined the Harkening Hill and Johnson Farm Trails. OverviewThe Peaks of Otter Campground is nestled between the bases of two dominating mountains in the rolling hills of Virginia.RecreationThe 24-acre Abbott Lake is one of the biggest attractions the Peaks of Otter Park has to offer. A gain of just under 1,000 feet from the parking lot makes it a decent 3.5-mile walk. Directions to Trailhead Cyber Monday Sale: 50% OFF . Like the treks to the peaks of This family-friendly, 3.5-mile loop off the Blue Ridge Parkway climbs to the top of Harkening Hill, one of three prominent peaks that form the Peaks of Otter. It begins behind the visitor center and across from the amphitheater. Hiking | Harkening Hill | The lowest of the three Peaks of Otter, Harkening Hill is the only one with a "loop" trail that swings by the top. Bedford, VA 24523. Harkening Hill - Peaks of Otter We finally completed the last of the Peaks of Otter Trio! Many interesting granite boulder formations are found on Harkening Hill 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) Not as steep or rocky as the other 2 peaks. Escape the bustle and experience an amazing hiking and camping trip. Visit Website > View Details > Liberty Lake Park. Harkening Hill sees far less traffic than the bigger Sharp Top, so the trail is in better shape. The visitor center is at an elevation of 2545 feet. The lowliest of the three Peaks of Otter, Harkening Hill is the only one with a “loop” trail that swings by the top. Sign in Sign up for FREE Cyber Monday Sale: 50% OFF Explore the three mountain peaks that are Peaks of Otter! Sharp Top, along with Flat Top and Harkening Hill, make up the namesake three "Peaks of Otter." The Peaks of Otter are three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains, overlooking the town of Bedford, Virginia, which lies nine miles (14 km) to the southeast along State Route 43. All three. Nearby Peak Searches: Radius Search - Nearest Peaks to Harkening Hill Elevation Ladder from Harkening Hill Prominence Ladder from Harkening Hill: This mountain is the smallest of the three Peaks of Otter located near Bedford, VA. There are multiple trails in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area for all fitness levels but we decided to tackle the 2 toughest: Sharp Topand Flat Top. Overlooking the town of Bedford, they include Sharp Top (altitude 3,875 feet); Flat Top (4,004 feet) and Harkening Hill (3,375 feet). You can see them for miles and the most fun is when you arrive ready for a hike. If you're a budding geologist, keep an eye out for granite formations along the trail! Many boulders can be observed on Harkening Hill. From the Peaks of Otter Campground, Virginia, a visitor can easily explore the iconic mountains of the Blue Ridge Parkway. A gain of just under 1000 feet from the parking lot makes it a decent walk. The Peaks of Otter is one of the most iconic views in central and south Virginia. Nestled between these mountains is Abbott Lake. I hiked Harkening Hill on a cold February day with a friend, 3.3 miles, moderate difficulty, thick leaves covered the trail. Visit Website > View Details > Johnson Farm Trails. At its foothill is where Emerson Creek Pottery is headquartered. The lake is well-stocked with small mouth bass and bluegill. The Peaks of Otter is formed by the triangulation of three mountains: Sharp Top Mountain, with a summit of 3875 feet; Flat Top Mountain, whose peak is at 4001 feet; and Harkening Hill, whose apex reaches 3372 feet. It can be reached via a loop trail leading to the summit from a parking lot on the Blue Ridge Parkway. These can be done as separate hikes or combined to make a hike of 9.8 miles. The Peaks of Otter are three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains, overlooking the town of Bedford, Virginia, which lies nine miles (14 km) to the southeast along State Route 43.These peaks are Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill.. Manmade Abbott Lake lies in the valley between the three peaks, behind the Peaks of Otter Lodge and restaurant. Bedford, VA – May 31st: Large boulder formation off the Harkening Hill loop trail, Peaks of Otter on Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford County, Virginia, USA on May 31st, 2017. A short 3.3 miles on quiet Harkening Hill Loop trail @ Peaks of Otter this afternoon peaks of otter - harkening hill trail and balance rock. This is a pleasant loop through the woods with some views of Sharp Top and Flat Top through the trees. Sharp Top, Flat Top, Harkening Hill - Johnson Farm loop, Cascades, Abbott Lake Trail and Trail from Lodge to Picnic area are all excellent hikes within a few minutes drive of the visitor center. Although Harkening Hill is not as tall as its neighbors Sharp Top and Flat Top, the peak's striking geological formations and abundant wildlife make it a memorable dayhike. You could be the only person on Flat Top, except on weekends. ! A black bear was spotted the last time we hiked this loop, but, fortunately, we didn't run into him today! Blue Ridge Parkway – Peaks of Otter Trails. Stephanie Dannenberg - Peaks of Otter (VA) - 2020-10-27 FKT: Stephanie Dannenberg - Peaks of Otter (VA) - 2020-10-27. :) As always, there were lots of flowers and insects that needed their picture taken! What a fun Saturday morning hike! This woodland trail climbs to a ridge where distant views are possible. At milepost 86 are the Peaks of Otter, Sharp Top, Flat Top and Harkening Hill. Visit Website > View Details > ... Harkening Hill Loop Trail. Johnson Farm, Harkening Hill, and Elk Run Loop Trails (Milepost 85.9) is a hiking adventure located in or near Bedford, VA. 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