Sunset hikes near Belle Monte, ca

A short walk out, the whole show, and back at your car before dark. Times are estimates at a relaxed pace; give yourself extra buffer, especially with kids or in a group.

1. Dusky-footed Woodrat Viewpoint–Dick Bishop Trail, 3 sights 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car8:22 PM
   5. Dark8:00 PM

   Back at your car by 8:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 67 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

2. Canyon Creek Trail–Chaparral Trail Loop, 3 sights 1 mi away

   Leave by 6:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:53 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car8:05 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 8:05 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 250 ft climb · 37 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

3. Old Cañada Road 3.9 mi away

   Be there by 7:14 PM

   1. Be there7:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Dark8:01 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:01 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

4. Chapparal Trail & Crystal Springs Trail via Richards Road 5 mi away

   Be there by 7:14 PM

   1. Be there7:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Dark8:01 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:01 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. Bay Tree Trail–Campground Trail, 4 sights 5.2 mi away

   Be there by 7:14 PM

   1. Be there7:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Dark8:01 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:01 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Chris Macintosh Trail & Whittemore Gulch Trail 5.6 mi away

   Be there by 7:14 PM

   1. Be there7:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Dark8:01 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:01 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Chris Macintosh Trail & Harkins Ridge Trail 5.6 mi away

   Be there by 7:14 PM

   1. Be there7:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Dark8:01 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:01 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Chris Macintosh Trail–North Ridge Trail, 3 sights 5.6 mi away

   Be there by 7:14 PM

   1. Be there7:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Dark8:01 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:01 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Purisima Creek Trail & Summit Springs Trail via Craig Britton Trail 6.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 430 ft climb · 59 min of walking

10. Summit Spring & Skyline Trail 6.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:35 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car8:27 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 8:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 170 ft climb · 77 min of walking

11. Skeggs Point–Methuselah, 4 sights 6.6 mi away

    Leave by 7:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:09 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Head back7:49 PM
    4. At your car7:53 PM
    5. Dark8:00 PM

    Back at your car by 7:53 PM — 7 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 9 min of walking

12. Bear Gulch Trail & Sierra Morena Trail via Skyline Trail 6.6 mi away

    Be there by 7:14 PM

    1. Be there7:14 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Dark8:00 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:00 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead