Abbott Lake Trail

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Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · Views

Full view of Sharp Top Mountain across Abbott Lake; very easy and mostly flat with several other nearby hikes; beautiful fall colors; Visitor Center and Peaks of Otter Lodge nearby offer parking, restrooms, food, and lodging.

Park at Peaks of Otter Lodge and enjoy a full landscape view of Abbott Lake with Sharp Top Mountain in the background. Follow the fully paved loop trail around the lake, passing in front of the lodge before crossing over a wooden footpath that runs along part of the west side of the lake. Continue through the wooded section on the south side of the lake, then across the embankment along the east side. At the end of the embankment, look to the right to see Polly Woods Ordinary, a small historic log cabin built in the 1800s. Finish the loop at the parking lot where you started.

Alternatively, you can park at the Visitor Center on the other side of the blue ridge parkway and follow a short trail to cross under a pedestrian tunnel that leads to the trail and lodge. However, the path and tunnel from the Visitor Center is not ADA friendly.