Sunset hikes

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. Cedar Rock Mountain–Cat Gap, 5 saddles 0 mi away

   Leave by 4:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:03 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car10:48 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 10:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.9 mi to the viewpoint · 2230 ft climb · 371 min of walking

2. Mount Pisgah–Little Bald Mountain, 7 sights 6 mi away

   Leave by 4:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car10:47 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 10:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.9 mi to the viewpoint · 2290 ft climb · 371 min of walking

3. Laurel Fork Falls–Art Loeb Trail, 5 sights 6.3 mi away

   Leave by 3:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car11:08 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 11:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.8 mi to the viewpoint · 2860 ft climb · 429 min of walking

4. Brevard Music Center Lake–Cat Gap, 6 sights 3.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car9:31 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

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

   3.3 mi to the viewpoint · 1610 ft climb · 209 min of walking

5. Revels Prong Falls–Sandy Gap, 3 saddles 4.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:48 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 1160 ft climb · 113 min of walking

6. Sandy Gap–Grogan Creek Road, 4 saddles 4.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:47 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 1130 ft climb · 110 min of walking

7. Buck Spring Viewpoint–Buck Spring Trail, 4 sights 8.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car9:34 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 9:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 2440 ft climb · 244 min of walking

8. Lower Chestnut Falls–Art Loeb Trail, 5 sights 8.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:56 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:56 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:55 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 1760 ft climb · 144 min of walking

9. Upper Courthouse Falls–Lower Chestnut Falls, 7 sights 8.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:56 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 1780 ft climb · 145 min of walking

10. Art Loeb Trail 8.5 mi away

    Leave by 5:59 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
    2. Sunset7:55 PM
    3. Head back8:10 PM
    4. At your car8:54 PM
    5. Dark8:20 PM

    Back at your car by 8:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1700 ft climb · 140 min of walking

11. Mountains-to-Sea Viewpoint–Mills River Valley Overlook (MP 404.5), 8 sights 8.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:42 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Head back8:09 PM
    4. At your car8:54 PM
    5. Dark8:20 PM

    Back at your car by 8:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 430 ft climb · 97 min of walking

12. Lake Imaging–Hickory Mountain Road, 5 sights 9.2 mi away

    Leave by 5:34 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:34 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Head back8:09 PM
    4. At your car9:48 PM
    5. Dark8:19 PM

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

    3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 880 ft climb · 218 min of walking