Sunset hikes near Bent Creek, nc

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. Green Top–Wolf Knob, 6 summits 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:17 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:17 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 19 min of walking

2. Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6)–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 5 viewpoints 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 3:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car11:24 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 11:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1780 ft climb · 414 min of walking

3. Double Head–Cold Knob, 10 sights 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car9:23 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 9:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.9 mi to the viewpoint · 1630 ft climb · 193 min of walking

4. Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7)–Lake Powhatan, 7 sights 0.8 mi away

   Leave by 4:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:00 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car10:50 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 10:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1930 ft climb · 374 min of walking

5. Cold Knob–479H, 7 sights 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car9:25 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 9:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.9 mi to the viewpoint · 1650 ft climb · 197 min of walking

6. The Lagoon 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:59 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 101 min of walking

7. Bass Pond 4 mi away

   Leave by 6:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car9:30 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 9:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 300 ft climb · 164 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. Mills River Valley Overlook (MP 404.5)–Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6), 8 sights 5.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:18 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:18 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 22 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Mountains-to-Sea Trail 6.3 mi away

   Be there by 7:33 PM

   1. Be there7:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Dark8:19 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:19 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Farm Trail 4 mi away

    Leave by 7:16 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:16 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Head back8:09 PM
    4. At your car8:27 PM
    5. Dark8:20 PM

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

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 36 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

11. Biltmore Estate Path 3.7 mi away

    Leave by 7:04 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:04 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Head back8:09 PM
    4. At your car8:33 PM
    5. Dark8:19 PM

    Back at your car by 8:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 170 ft climb · 55 min of walking

12. Buck Spring Viewpoint–Hendersonville Reservoir, 6 sights 6.9 mi away

    Be there by 7:34 PM

    1. Be there7:34 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Dark8:20 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:20 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead