Sunset hikes near Hot Springs, 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. Rich Mountain–Deep Gap, 4 saddles 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:13 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 7 min of walking

2. Gragg Gap & Shut-In Trail via Appalachian Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car9:43 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.6 mi to the viewpoint · 1050 ft climb · 212 min of walking

3. Doe Branch & Squirrel Gap Trail 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:20 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car10:03 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 10:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.5 mi to the viewpoint · 880 ft climb · 248 min of walking

4. Walnut Mountain–Walnut Mountain Trail, 3 summits 4.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:53 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car9:48 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2160 ft climb · 259 min of walking

5. Lemon Gap–Bluff Mountain Road, 3 sights 5.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car9:26 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.1 mi to the viewpoint · 1910 ft climb · 210 min of walking

6. Appalachian Trail 5.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:17 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:17 PM — 4 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 170 ft climb · 19 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

7. Catpen Road 5.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:04 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car9:16 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.7 mi to the viewpoint · 830 ft climb · 157 min of walking

8. Big Rock Spring & Walnut Mountain Trail via Appalachian Trail 5.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:39 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 690 ft climb · 77 min of walking

9. Devils Kitchen Spur Road & Devils Kitchenr Road 6.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:14 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:14 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 13 min of walking

10. Fed Fork Road 5 mi away

    Leave by 5:00 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:00 PM
    2. Sunset7:55 PM
    3. Head back8:10 PM
    4. At your car10:03 PM
    5. Dark8:21 PM

    Back at your car by 10:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.6 mi to the viewpoint · 1450 ft climb · 268 min of walking

11. Deep Gap & Little Paint Creek Trail via Appalachian Trail 5.1 mi away

    Leave by 7:30 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:30 PM
    2. Sunset7:55 PM
    3. Head back8:10 PM
    4. At your car8:13 PM
    5. Dark8:21 PM

    Back at your car by 8:13 PM — 7 min before dark.

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

12. Farmer Mountain Road 6.5 mi away

    Leave by 5:59 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
    2. Sunset7:55 PM
    3. Head back8:10 PM
    4. At your car9:07 PM
    5. Dark8:21 PM

    Back at your car by 9:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1270 ft climb · 153 min of walking