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. Lower Chestnut Falls–Art Loeb Trail, 5 sights 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:57 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:56 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

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

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

2. Upper Courthouse Falls–Lower Chestnut Falls, 7 sights 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:57 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:57 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

3. Little Sam Trail & Mt Hardy Trail via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:13 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

4. Art Loeb Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:55 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

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

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

5. Laurel Fork Falls–Art Loeb Trail, 6 sights 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:00 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car10:37 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 10:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.6 mi to the viewpoint · 2610 ft climb · 362 min of walking

6. Silvermine Bald–Split Falls, 6 sights 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 4:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:05 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car11:46 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 11:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   7.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1380 ft climb · 425 min of walking

7. Shining Rock–Big East Fork Trail, 4 sights 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 3:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:39 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car10:51 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 10:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.4 mi to the viewpoint · 2710 ft climb · 397 min of walking

8. Black Balsam Knob–Black Balsam Summit Viewpoint Loop, 4 sights 2 mi away

   Leave by 7:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:19 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:19 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 23 min of walking

9. Cold Mountain–Grassy Cove Top, 7 sights 2 mi away

   Leave by 7:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:27 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 25 min of walking

10. Grassy Cove Top–Art Loeb Spur Trail, 5 sights 2 mi away

    Leave by 6:41 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
    2. Sunset7:56 PM
    3. Head back8:11 PM
    4. At your car9:07 PM
    5. Dark8:22 PM

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

    2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 111 min of walking

11. Art Loeb Trail & Little East Fork Trail 2.2 mi away

    Leave by 4:15 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:15 PM
    2. Sunset7:56 PM
    3. Head back8:11 PM
    4. At your car10:21 PM
    5. Dark8:22 PM

    Back at your car by 10:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    5.4 mi to the viewpoint · 2350 ft climb · 330 min of walking

12. Sam Knob–Sam Knob Viewpoint, 4 sights 3 mi away

    Leave by 6:01 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
    2. Sunset7:56 PM
    3. Head back8:11 PM
    4. At your car9:33 PM
    5. Dark8:22 PM

    Back at your car by 9:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 710 ft climb · 177 min of walking