Sunset hikes near Walnut Heights, 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. Sugarloaf Hill Benchmark–Franco Ridge Loop Trail, 4 sights 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:35 PM
   3. Head back7:50 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 7:51 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 3 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. Sugarloaf Hill–Buckeye Ravine Viewpoint, 9 sights 1 mi away

   Leave by 7:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car7:52 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 7:52 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walking

3. Fossil Hill–Buckeye Ravine Viewpoint, 9 sights 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:34 PM
   3. Head back7:49 PM
   4. At your car7:52 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 7:52 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walking

4. Borges Ranch Trail–Franco Ridge Loop Trail, 3 sights 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:13 PM
   2. Sunset7:35 PM
   3. Head back7:50 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 7:51 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

5. Las Trampas Ridge & Calaveras Ridge Trail 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
   2. Sunset7:35 PM
   3. Head back7:50 PM
   4. At your car8:30 PM
   5. Dark8:02 PM

   Back at your car by 8:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 970 ft climb · 110 min of walking

6. Dewies/Birthday–Dewies, 3 sights 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:35 PM
   3. Head back7:50 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark8:02 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 850 ft climb · 102 min of walking

7. Bollinger Creek Loop Trail & Elderberry Trail 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
   2. Sunset7:35 PM
   3. Head back7:50 PM
   4. At your car8:30 PM
   5. Dark8:02 PM

   Back at your car by 8:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 970 ft climb · 110 min of walking

8. Franco Ridge Ridge Trail via Franco Ridge Loop Trail 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:35 PM
   3. Head back7:50 PM
   4. At your car7:52 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 7:52 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 3 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

9. Bollinger Creek Loop Trail–Las Trampas Ridge & Calaveras Ridge Trail, 3 sights 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:35 PM
   3. Head back7:50 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 500 ft climb · 90 min of walking

10. Borges Ranch Trail–Briones to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail, 3 sights 2.5 mi away

    Be there by 7:14 PM

    1. Be there7:14 PM
    2. Sunset7:34 PM
    3. Dark8:01 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:01 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Holey Rock–Borges Ranch Trail, 7 sights 2.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:45 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
    2. Sunset7:35 PM
    3. Head back7:50 PM
    4. At your car8:14 PM
    5. Dark8:01 PM

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

    0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 290 ft climb · 54 min of walking

12. Willow Spring Pond & Sugarloaf-Shell Ridge Trail via Briones to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail 2.5 mi away

    Leave by 7:14 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:14 PM
    2. Sunset7:35 PM
    3. Head back7:50 PM
    4. At your car7:51 PM
    5. Dark8:01 PM

    Back at your car by 7:51 PM — 10 min before dark.

    0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint