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. Buck Spring Viewpoint–Buck Spring Trail, 4 sights 0 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

2. Mountains-to-Sea Viewpoint–Mills River Valley Overlook (MP 404.5), 8 sights 0 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

3. 151 dh–Buck Spring Trail, 3 sights 0 mi away

   Leave by 7:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:20 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:20 PM — 0 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 220 ft climb · 27 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

4. Mills River Valley Overlook (MP 404.5)–Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6), 8 sights 0 mi away

   Leave by 7:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:18 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:18 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 22 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. Mount Pisgah–Buck Spring Trail, 3 sights 0 mi away

   Leave by 7:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:20 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:20 PM — 0 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 23 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. Little Bald Mountain–Buck Spring Viewpoint, 3 summits 0 mi away

   Be there by 7:34 PM

   1. Be there7:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Dark8:20 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:20 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6)–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 7 sights 3.7 mi away

   Leave by 7:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:18 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:18 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 20 min of walking

8. Green Top–Wolf Knob, 6 summits 3.7 mi away

   Leave by 7:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:17 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:17 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 19 min of walking

9. Double Head–Cold Knob, 10 sights 6 mi away

   Leave by 5:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car9:23 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 9:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.9 mi to the viewpoint · 1630 ft climb · 193 min of walking

10. Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7) & Three Humps Loop via Shut-In Trail 5.4 mi away

    Leave by 7:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:09 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Head back8:09 PM
    4. At your car8:23 PM
    5. Dark8:20 PM

    Back at your car by 8:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 370 ft climb · 39 min of walking

11. Cold Knob–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 4 sights 5.5 mi away

    Leave by 7:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:09 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Head back8:09 PM
    4. At your car8:23 PM
    5. Dark8:20 PM

    Back at your car by 8:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 360 ft climb · 39 min of walking

12. Shining Rock–Big East Fork Trail, 4 sights 5.9 mi away

    Leave by 3:37 PM

    1. Leave trailhead3:37 PM
    2. Sunset7:55 PM
    3. Head back8:10 PM
    4. At your car10:50 PM
    5. Dark8:20 PM

    Back at your car by 10:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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