Sharp Top Trail - Bedford, VA
Sharp Top Trail Dog-Friendly Hiking in Bedford, Virginia
Located on Sheep Creek Rd near Bedford, Virginia, Sharp Top Trail is a well-known destination for pet owners seeking an active outdoor experience. This challenging trail offers a 3 to 3.5-mile round trip hike with a steady elevation gain of around 1,200 feet, making it a favorite for both dedicated hikers and those looking to enjoy some quality time with their dogs in beautiful natural surroundings. The stunning panoramic views from the summit are a rewarding end to this demanding pet-friendly trek.
Sharp Top Trail stands out for its dog-friendly hiking opportunities. While not a traditional dog park, the trail is popular with dog owners looking for adventure and exercise alongside their four-legged friends. Please keep in mind that this trail can be steep, rocky, and may become slippery after rain or during winter, so it’s best for dogs and owners accustomed to more advanced hikes. There are no fenced dog areas, restrooms, or water fountains, so owners should plan ahead, bring plenty of water, and make use of nearby facilities at the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center before hitting the trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, Sharp Top Trail is itself a scenic hiking trail, popular with dog owners.
- Are restrooms available for owners? No, there are no restrooms at the trailhead or on the trail, but the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center nearby has restroom facilities.
- Where is the best place to park? There is a parking area at the base of the trailhead near Sheep Creek Rd.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? Portions of the trail may become slippery or washed out after rain, so caution is advised.
- Are ticks or other pests common in the area? There are many bugs, especially near the top of the mountain. Using bug spray is highly recommended.
Reviews
Great hike! Lots of rocks and rock stairs, but the view at the end was more than worth it.
Finished in an hour an a half (tracked with Garmin Forerunner 255); I do tend to hike quick, especially on the downhill. The stairs are a plenty and the brief moments of flat, non-rock trail, felt good.
Started the hike at 6:44 AM. It was still pretty humid. Not many folks on the trail. Did meet a couple of really nice people up there. Bring water.
This is a great 3 mile (1.5 mile one-way) out-and-back hike with 1200 ft elevation gain. There are lots of bugs near the top of the mountain, so using bug spray is highly recommended. The whole trail is very steep and at some spots you gotta be very careful. Better to avoid on a rainy/foggy/windy day. You will see a lot of other people on the hike. The view at the top of the mountain is gorgeous and worth every effort to reach there. There is no restroom on the hike or the parking lot. So I highly recommend using the Peaks of Otter visitor center restroom which is very close to the parking lot. Enjoy!
3.5 mile round trip. Relentlessly up hill the whole way to summit. Super cool spot at summit tho, definitely worth the hike. Bring a snack and wear good fitting shoes. I was told there’s a shuttle service that brings you to the top for a fee.
Sharp Top Mountain is not an easy trail — it’s a steady and sometimes steep climb — but the view from the summit is absolutely worth every step. I hiked it during freezing conditions, and it made the experience much tougher. Several parts of the trail were icy and slippery, and even with hiking sticks, it wasn’t easy to maintain footing. It took extra caution and slowed down the hike quite a bit. I would strongly recommend choosing a warmer day for this trail. Late spring or summer would be the perfect time to enjoy the hike safely and soak in the stunning panoramic views without worrying about the trail conditions. It’s a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience when timed right!
We made it to Buzzard’s Roost and I can definitely say the whole trail needs a lot of work. It starts off well enough, but soon showed all the signs of being really washed out. That made the rocks jut out and made for uneven ankle-twisting footing in areas there was a less bushy track. Others were too bushy to see where the rocks and roots were. The rocks that are bigger on the trail were sometimes too big to climb without crawling on all fours. The railings that are there help, however, there are many places that the pole was still present but the railing was either rotting or gone entirely. Duct tape was the answer for one rail. The tape will outlive the wooden rail. Bring your determination and water with you.