Sunset hikes near Franklin, 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 16 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. County Line Road–Right Loop Connector Loop, 3 sights 20.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:59 PM
   3. Head back8:14 PM
   4. At your car9:28 PM
   5. Dark8:25 PM

   Back at your car by 9:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.7 mi to the viewpoint · 400 ft climb · 152 min of walking

3. The Pinnacle–Pinnacle Viewpoint, 4 sights 21.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:25 PM
   2. Sunset7:57 PM
   3. Head back8:12 PM
   4. At your car9:29 PM
   5. Dark8:23 PM

   Back at your car by 9:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1940 ft climb · 208 min of walking

4. East Fork Trail 21.2 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

5. Firescald Ridge Trail 22.5 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

6. Pedestrian Overlook & Mountains-to-Sea Trail 25.4 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. Fork Ridge Overlook (MP 449.0) & Mountains-to-Sea Trail 25.4 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

8. Browning Knob–Browning Knob Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints 25.4 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

9. Waterrock Knob–Browning Knob, 8 summits 25.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:32 PM
   2. Sunset7:57 PM
   3. Head back8:12 PM
   4. At your car8:16 PM
   5. Dark8:23 PM

   Back at your car by 8:16 PM — 7 min before dark.

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

10. Appalachian Trail 26.3 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

11. Plott Balsam–Mount Lyn Lowry, 3 summits 27 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

12. Mount Lyn Lowry & Lyn Lowry Viewpoint via Plott Balsam Trail 27.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:39 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
    2. Sunset7:57 PM
    3. Head back8:12 PM
    4. At your car8:48 PM
    5. Dark8:23 PM

    Back at your car by 8:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 770 ft climb · 94 min of walking