Sunset hikes near Maggie Valley, 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. Plott Balsam–Mount Lyn Lowry, 3 summits 2.7 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

2. Double Gap–Polls Gap Loop, 7 sights 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:57 PM
   3. Head back8:12 PM
   4. At your car10:30 PM
   5. Dark8:23 PM

   Back at your car by 10:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1070 ft climb · 286 min of walking

3. Waterrock Knob–Browning Knob, 9 summits 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 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.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 780 ft climb · 95 min of walking

4. Mount Lyn Lowry & Lyn Lowry Viewpoint via Plott Balsam Trail 3.3 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

5. Pedestrian Overlook & Mountains-to-Sea Trail 3.8 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

6. Fork Ridge Overlook (MP 449.0) & Mountains-to-Sea Trail 4.2 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. Browning Knob–Browning Knob Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints 4.5 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. East Fork Trail 5.3 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

9. Mountains-to-Sea Trail 6.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:57 PM
   3. Head back8:12 PM
   4. At your car9:13 PM
   5. Dark8:23 PM

   Back at your car by 9:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 860 ft climb · 148 min of walking

10. Firescald Ridge Trail 7.3 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

11. The Pinnacle–Pinnacle Viewpoint, 4 sights 8.3 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

12. Richland Balsam Nature Trail 12.8 mi away

    Be there by 7:36 PM

    1. Be there7:36 PM
    2. Sunset7:57 PM
    3. Dark8:22 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:22 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead