Sunset hikes near Sterling Forest, ny

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. Prospect Rock–West Pond, 4 sights 1.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Head back7:37 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:50 PM

   Back at your car by 7:47 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 21 min of walking

2. Bare Rock Trail–Doris Duke Trail, 3 sights 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Head back7:37 PM
   4. At your car8:00 PM
   5. Dark7:50 PM

   Back at your car by 8:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 420 ft climb · 58 min of walking

3. Bare Rock Trail & West Valley Trail 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Head back7:37 PM
   4. At your car8:05 PM
   5. Dark7:50 PM

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

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 500 ft climb · 71 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

4. Appalachian Trail;Highlands Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Head back7:37 PM
   4. At your car8:11 PM
   5. Dark7:50 PM

   Back at your car by 8:11 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 460 ft climb · 80 min of walking

5. Appalachian National Scenic Trail Viewpoint via Appalachian Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Head back7:37 PM
   4. At your car8:15 PM
   5. Dark7:50 PM

   Back at your car by 8:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 550 ft climb · 91 min of walking

6. West Valley Trail 4.1 mi away

   Be there by 7:02 PM

   1. Be there7:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Dark7:50 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:50 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Mombasha Lake & Appalachian Trail 5.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Head back7:37 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:50 PM

   Back at your car by 7:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 39 min of walking

8. Eagle Lake–Crossover Trail, 6 sights 5.8 mi away

   Be there by 7:02 PM

   1. Be there7:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Dark7:50 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:50 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Upper Erskine Lake–Gatun Pond, 15 sights 5.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Head back7:37 PM
   4. At your car8:24 PM
   5. Dark7:50 PM

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

   1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 280 ft climb · 99 min of walking

10. Brushwood Pond–Gatun Pond, 14 sights 5.8 mi away

    Leave by 5:42 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:42 PM
    2. Sunset7:22 PM
    3. Head back7:37 PM
    4. At your car8:50 PM
    5. Dark7:50 PM

    Back at your car by 8:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.7 mi to the viewpoint · 500 ft climb · 152 min of walking

11. Governor Mountain–Swan Pond, 9 sights 5.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:41 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
    2. Sunset7:22 PM
    3. Head back7:37 PM
    4. At your car7:53 PM
    5. Dark7:50 PM

    Back at your car by 7:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 38 min of walking

12. CU Bypass Trail–Crossover Trail, 4 sights 5.9 mi away

    Be there by 7:02 PM

    1. Be there7:02 PM
    2. Sunset7:22 PM
    3. Dark7:50 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:50 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead