Sunset hikes near Retreat, 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. Green Mountain Trail 5.7 mi away

   Leave by 7:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. Buckeye Gap Trail via Lickstone Ridge Road 5.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

3. Cold Mountain–Grassy Cove Top, 7 sights 4.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:25 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:26 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 25 min of walking

4. Black Balsam Knob–Art Loeb Trail, 5 sights 4.7 mi away

   Leave by 4:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:20 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car10:16 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 10:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.2 mi to the viewpoint · 2240 ft climb · 321 min of walking

5. Art Loeb Trail & Little East Fork Trail 4.7 mi away

   Leave by 4:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car10:19 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 10:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.4 mi to the viewpoint · 2350 ft climb · 330 min of walking

6. Silvermine Bald–Art Loeb Spur Trail, 6 sights 6.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:25 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.

   4.4 mi to the viewpoint · 800 ft climb · 243 min of walking

7. Shining Rock–Big East Fork Trail, 4 sights 6.6 mi away

   Leave by 3:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car10:50 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 10:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.4 mi to the viewpoint · 2710 ft climb · 397 min of walking

8. Grassy Cove Top–Shining Rock, 7 sights 6.6 mi away

   Leave by 4:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:22 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car10:10 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

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

   4.5 mi to the viewpoint · 2790 ft climb · 313 min of walking

9. Richland Balsam Nature Trail 8 mi away

   Be there by 7:35 PM

   1. Be there7:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Dark8:21 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:21 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Rough Butt Bald Overlook (MP 425.4)–Buckeye Gap Trail Loop, 3 sights 8.2 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 walking

11. View Devils Courthouse (MP 422.4)–Devils Courthouse Trail, 3 sights 9.6 mi away

    Leave by 7:33 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:33 PM
    2. Sunset7:55 PM
    3. Head back8:10 PM
    4. At your car8:12 PM
    5. Dark8:21 PM

    Back at your car by 8:12 PM — 9 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

12. Mount Hardy & Mt Hardy Trail via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 9.8 mi away

    Leave by 7:33 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:33 PM
    2. Sunset7:55 PM
    3. Head back8:10 PM
    4. At your car8:12 PM
    5. Dark8:21 PM

    Back at your car by 8:12 PM — 9 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint