Sunset hikes near Riceville, 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. Haw Creek Valley (MP 380.0) & Craven Gap via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 1.4 mi away

   Be there by 7:33 PM

   1. Be there7:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Dark8:19 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:19 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Craven Gap & Folk Art Center via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 1.4 mi away

   Be there by 7:33 PM

   1. Be there7:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Dark8:19 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:19 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

3. Tanbark Ridge Overlook (MP 376.7) & Craven Gap via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 1.6 mi away

   Be there by 7:33 PM

   1. Be there7:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Dark8:19 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:19 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

4. Bull Gap & Rattlesnake Lodge Trail via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:17 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:16 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:16 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 300 ft climb · 25 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. Lane Pinnacle–Rattlesnake Lodge Trail, 3 sights 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:17 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:16 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:16 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 290 ft climb · 25 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center TRACK Trail & Mountains-to-Sea Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:32 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 48 min of walking

7. Watch Knob–Burnette Park Lane, 3 sights 3.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:34 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 670 ft climb · 71 min of walking

8. Trail 5.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:25 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 1270 ft climb · 72 min of walking

9. Hawksbill Creek Road–Mountains-to-Sea Trail, 4 sights 6.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:23 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 24 min of walking

10. Douglas Falls Trail & Stoney Fork Road 6.6 mi away

    Be there by 7:33 PM

    1. Be there7:33 PM
    2. Sunset7:53 PM
    3. Dark8:19 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:19 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Craggy Dome Scenic Overlook (MP 364.5) & Mountains-to-Sea Trail 6.7 mi away

    Be there by 7:33 PM

    1. Be there7:33 PM
    2. Sunset7:53 PM
    3. Dark8:19 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:19 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Graybeard Mountain View (MP 363.4)–Douglas Falls Trail, 3 sights 6.7 mi away

    Be there by 7:33 PM

    1. Be there7:33 PM
    2. Sunset7:53 PM
    3. Dark8:19 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:19 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead