Peaks of Otter

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Abbott Lake and Sharp Top

Abbot Lake and Sharp Top in winter

The Peaks of Otter are three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains, near 37°26′49″N, 79°35′01″W, overlooking the town of Bedford, Virginia, nine miles (14km) to the southeast along State Route 43. These peaks are Sharp Top (3862 feet or 1177m), Flat Top (3994 feet or 1217m), and Harkening Hill (3372 feet or 1028m AMSL). Manmade Abbott Lake lies in the valley between the three peaks, behind the Peaks of Otter Lodge and restaurant. The National Park Service preserves the peaks and lake as part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Thomas Jefferson once wrote that "the mountains of the Blue Ridge, and of these the Peaks of Otter, are thought to be of a greater height, measured from their base, than any others in our country, and perhaps in North America." Of course this later turned out not to be the case, but not before Virginia had sent stones from the peaks to be its part of the Washington Monument.