Hightop Peak is one of our favorite hikes to do if you only have a few hours to spend...but want great views. It's a simple drive from Charlottesville - Route 29 North, left at Route 33 in Stanardsville, then hop on Skyline drive south for a few minutes to the parking area. If Skyline Drive is closed (as it was when the author climbed it), you can park within the barriers and hop on the entrance to the Appalachian trail, which leads to the parking area - this adds about an hour of hiking time total.
The hike is fairly straightforward - consistently uphill towards the peak, with variable grade. There are a few sections which tend to collect ice on the trail during winter, but still manageable. You two overlooks, one looking eastward back towards the Valley, and one westward towards West Virginia. It's not the 360 views of Old Rag, but is closer and makes for a good morning or afternoon way to just get outside!