Sunset hikes near Ela, 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. Walker Cove Road 2.1 mi away

   Be there by 7:38 PM

   1. Be there7:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:58 PM
   3. Dark8:24 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:24 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Firescald Ridge Trail 13.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:57 PM
   3. Head back8:12 PM
   4. At your car8:35 PM
   5. Dark8:23 PM

   Back at your car by 8:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 680 ft climb · 64 min of walking

3. East Fork Trail 13.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:57 PM
   3. Head back8:12 PM
   4. At your car8:14 PM
   5. Dark8:23 PM

   Back at your car by 8:14 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walking

4. Browning Knob–Mount Lyn Lowry, 7 sights 16.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:57 PM
   3. Head back8:12 PM
   4. At your car8:15 PM
   5. Dark8:23 PM

   Back at your car by 8:15 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

5. Fork Ridge Overlook (MP 449.0)–Pedestrian Overlook, 3 viewpoints 16.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:57 PM
   3. Head back8:12 PM
   4. At your car8:47 PM
   5. Dark8:23 PM

   Back at your car by 8:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 570 ft climb · 86 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. Pedestrian Overlook & Mountains-to-Sea Trail 16.6 mi away

   Be there by 7:37 PM

   1. Be there7:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:57 PM
   3. Dark8:23 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:23 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Waterrock Knob–Waterrock Knob Viewpoint, 5 sights 16.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:57 PM
   3. Head back8:12 PM
   4. At your car8:18 PM
   5. Dark8:23 PM

   Back at your car by 8:18 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 17 min of walking

8. Plott Balsam–Mount Lyn Lowry, 3 summits 19.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:57 PM
   3. Head back8:12 PM
   4. At your car8:50 PM
   5. Dark8:23 PM

   Back at your car by 8:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 62 min of walking

9. Old Settlers Trail 17.9 mi away

   Be there by 7:38 PM

   1. Be there7:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:58 PM
   3. Dark8:24 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:24 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Cove Mountain Trail 22.4 mi away

    Be there by 7:39 PM

    1. Be there7:39 PM
    2. Sunset7:59 PM
    3. Dark8:25 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:25 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Appalachian Trail 23.1 mi away

    Be there by 7:40 PM

    1. Be there7:40 PM
    2. Sunset8:00 PM
    3. Dark8:26 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:26 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Wachachau Tower Road 26.1 mi away

    Be there by 7:40 PM

    1. Be there7:40 PM
    2. Sunset8:00 PM
    3. Dark8:26 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:26 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

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