Sunset hikes near Runion, 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. Doe Branch & Squirrel Gap Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:20 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.

   4.5 mi to the viewpoint · 880 ft climb · 248 min of walking

2. Rich Mountain–Deep Gap, 4 saddles 3.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:13 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 7 min of walking

3. Deep Gap & Little Paint Creek Trail via Appalachian Trail 5.7 mi away

   Leave by 7:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:13 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 9 min of walking

4. Farmer Mountain Road 5.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car9:07 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1270 ft climb · 153 min of walking

5. Gragg Gap & Shut-In Trail via Appalachian Trail 6.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car9:43 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.6 mi to the viewpoint · 1050 ft climb · 212 min of walking

6. Walnut Mountain–Walnut Mountain Trail, 3 summits 7.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:53 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car9:48 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2160 ft climb · 259 min of walking

7. Devils Kitchen Spur Road & Devils Kitchenr Road 7.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:14 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:14 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 13 min of walking

8. Big Rocky Road–Hickey Fork Trail, 5 sights 7.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:45 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 980 ft climb · 100 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

9. Little Firescald Knob–Hickey Fork Sunset Point Loop, 7 sights 8.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car9:25 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1670 ft climb · 198 min of walking

10. Lemon Gap–Bluff Mountain Road, 3 sights 8.5 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

11. Catpen Road 8.6 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

12. Appalachian Trail 8.8 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