Sunset hikes near Rutherford College, 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. Mountains-to-Sea Connector Trail & Olson via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 22.3 mi away

   Leave by 3:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:52 PM
   3. Head back8:07 PM
   4. At your car11:26 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 11:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   7.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1700 ft climb · 429 min of walking

2. Gully Pipe–Lake James, 5 sights 24.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:52 PM
   3. Head back8:07 PM
   4. At your car10:17 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 10:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.9 mi to the viewpoint · 1680 ft climb · 298 min of walking

3. Lake James & Fonta Flora Trail 20.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:52 PM
   3. Head back8:07 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 7 min of walking

4. Fonta Flora Trail 21.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:13 PM
   2. Sunset7:52 PM
   3. Head back8:07 PM
   4. At your car8:29 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 8:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 41 min of walking

5. Rich Cove Road Loop 25.9 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

6. The Chimneys & Mountains-to-Sea Trail 26.7 mi away

   Leave by 7:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:09 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:09 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 5 min of walking

7. Devil's Cellar Overlook–Mountains-to-Sea Trail/ Table Rock Gap, 3 sights 26.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car9:10 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 9:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 500 ft climb · 126 min of walking

8. Table Rock South View Access Viewpoint–Devil's Cellar Overlook, 4 sights 26.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:52 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:33 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 520 ft climb · 65 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Mountains-to-Sea Viewpoint–Mountains-to-Sea Trail/ Table Rock Gap, 3 sights 26.7 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

10. Table Rock Mountain–Devil's Cellar Overlook, 4 sights 26.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:53 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:53 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.

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 510 ft climb · 65 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. Devil's Cliff–Lower Cross, 3 sights 26.8 mi away

    Leave by 5:49 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:49 PM
    2. Sunset7:53 PM
    3. Head back8:08 PM
    4. At your car9:16 PM
    5. Dark8:19 PM

    Back at your car by 9:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1190 ft climb · 172 min of walking

12. Hawksbill Alt summit Viewpoint–Hawksbill Ledge, 4 sights 27 mi away

    Leave by 6:52 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:52 PM
    2. Sunset7:53 PM
    3. Head back8:08 PM
    4. At your car8:37 PM
    5. Dark8:19 PM

    Back at your car by 8:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 500 ft climb · 70 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint