Sunset hikes near Paint Rock, 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. Fed Fork Road 2.6 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

2. Gum Springs Connector Trail–Gum Springs Trail, 4 sights 4.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:11 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:11 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

3. Waddell Mountain Road 4.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:11 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:11 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 3 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

4. Gum Springs Trail 4.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:42 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 710 ft climb · 82 min of walking

5. Appalachian Trail 5 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

6. Lemon Gap–Bluff Mountain Road, 3 sights 5 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

7. 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

8. Marrow Gap Road–Rattlesnake Road, 3 sights 5.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:44 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 69 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

9. Catpen Road 6 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

10. Meadow Creek Mountain Trail 6.3 mi away

    Be there by 7:35 PM

    1. Be there7:35 PM
    2. Sunset7:56 PM
    3. Dark8:22 PM

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

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Round Mountain–Rattlesnake Road, 3 sights 6.9 mi away

    Leave by 7:01 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:01 PM
    2. Sunset7:55 PM
    3. Head back8:10 PM
    4. At your car8:44 PM
    5. Dark8:21 PM

    Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 69 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

12. Walnut Mountain & Walnut Mountain Trail 6.9 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 · 700 ft climb · 79 min of walking