Sunset hikes near Rucker, ca

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. Harvey Bear Trail–Martin Murphy Trail, 5 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:58 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car7:55 PM
   5. Dark7:57 PM

   Back at your car by 7:55 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 22 min of walking

2. Harvey Bear Trail–Townsprings Trail, 3 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car8:40 PM
   5. Dark7:57 PM

   Back at your car by 8:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 600 ft climb · 127 min of walking

3. Rancho San Ysidro Trail & Willow Springs Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car8:14 PM
   5. Dark7:57 PM

   Back at your car by 8:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 360 ft climb · 67 min of walking

4. Calaveras Trail–Campground Trail, 3 sights 4.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark7:57 PM

   Back at your car by 8:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 58 min of walking

5. Mendoza Trail–Rancho La Polka Trail, 3 sights 4.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car8:05 PM
   5. Dark7:57 PM

   Back at your car by 8:05 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 42 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

6. Thompsons Grove via Whitehurst Road 6.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car9:31 PM
   5. Dark7:57 PM

   Back at your car by 9:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 770 ft climb · 224 min of walking

7. Merry-Go-Round Trail 6.9 mi away

   Be there by 7:11 PM

   1. Be there7:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Dark7:58 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:58 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Giant Twins–Giant Twins Trail, 7 sights 6.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:58 PM

   Back at your car by 7:54 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

9. Miller House–Giant Twins, 9 sights 6.9 mi away

   Be there by 7:11 PM

   1. Be there7:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Dark7:58 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:58 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Mount Madonna–White deer pen Loop, 8 sights 6.9 mi away

    Be there by 7:11 PM

    1. Be there7:11 PM
    2. Sunset7:31 PM
    3. Dark7:58 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:58 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. El Toro & Open Space Authority trail (under development) 6.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:25 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
    2. Sunset7:31 PM
    3. Head back7:46 PM
    4. At your car8:12 PM
    5. Dark7:58 PM

    Back at your car by 8:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 720 ft climb · 72 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Whitehurst Road 6.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:17 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:17 PM
    2. Sunset7:31 PM
    3. Head back7:46 PM
    4. At your car8:24 PM
    5. Dark7:57 PM

    Back at your car by 8:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 730 ft climb · 92 min of walking