Blue Ridge Parkway, Peaks of Otter: Harkening Hill Trail (Blog Hike #303)

Trail: Harkening Hill Trail

Hike Location: Blue Ridge Parkway, Peaks of Otter

Geographic Location: northwest of Bedford, VA (37.44549, -79.60954)

Length: 3.3 miles

Difficulty: 9/10 (Difficult)

Date Hiked: May 2010

Overview: A challenging, occasionally steep climb to the summit of Harkening Hill.

Trail Information: https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/peaks-otter-trails.htm

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=940879
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: The trailhead is at the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, located at milepost 85.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  This milepost is located northwest of Bedford about half way between US 460 and US 501.

The hike: For my general comments on Peaks of Otter, see my Fallingwater Cascade Trail description.  Because Harkening Hill is 700 feet lower than either Flat Top or Sharp Top, this summit is the easiest of the three major mountains at Peaks of Otter to obtain.  Nevertheless, the trail to Harkening Hill still rises over 800 feet in 1.4 miles, so some climbing will be required.  Many hikers use this trail as preparation to climb one of the other peaks.

View of Sharp Top from parking area

            The first 0.8 miles coincide with the Johnson Farm Trail; see that hike for a detailed description.  At the intersection where the Johnson Farm Trail continues straight, turn left to continue climbing on the Harkening Hill Trail.  For the rest of the climb, the grade will be more intense, the trail will be rockier, and the trees will be shorter.

Just past 1 mile, the trail briefly joins what appears to be an old road.  The road is not an official trail, so angle left and then right to remain on the Harkening Hill Trail.  More climbing will take you first past some granite outcrops and then through two grassy meadows.  Most of Harkening Hill is covered with trees, so these meadows give you a rare good view of Flat Top to the east.

At 1.4 miles, a spur trail heads left and downhill for 300 feet to arrive at Balance Rock.  The trail is steep, but the large boulder sitting precariously on other boulders is worth the trip.  Actually, there are a large number of boulders in this area, and a couple of them could be called Balance Rock.  There is no sign, but I believe the official Balance Rock sits in front of where the trail peters out.  To continue the hike, you will need to retrace your steps back uphill after viewing the rock.

Balance Rock

            Back on the main trail, a little more gradual climbing will bring you to the summit of Harkening Hill, a large rock outcrop marked with a sign.  When I hiked this trail on the first day of May, I left Bedford in the 90-degree heat of early summer.  However, on the hilltop it was still mid-spring.  The trees had just produced leaves, wildflowers carpeted the top half of the hill, and the temperature was very pleasant in the upper 70’s.  If you want broad views from the hill, you will need to come in the leafless months, as the broadleaf trees covering the summit allow for only peaks of views the rest of the year.  View or not, spend some time on the summit to appreciate your peak-climbing accomplishment.

Harkening Hill summit

            The trail has been all uphill to the summit, so you can guess what comes next.  As you leave the summit, the trail curves left and begins its descent.  The upper half of the descent takes place in stair-step fashion: brief steep descents are followed by brief flatter stretches.  At 2 miles, a small opening to the right allows views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west.  How extensive these views will be depends on what time of year you visit.

The forest on the upper reaches of the hill is characterized by a dense, green understory and short trees, but as you descend, the trees get bigger, canopy fuller, and understory less dense.  2.9 miles into the hike, you begin a series of switchbacks as the Parkway can be heard and then seen downhill to your right.  At 3.3 miles, the trail comes out at the amphitheater behind the Visitor Center.  Pass through the amphitheater and through the Visitor Center to return to your car and complete the hike.