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. Mills River Valley Overlook (MP 404.5)–Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6), 8 sights 1.6 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

2. Buck Spring Viewpoint–Hendersonville Reservoir, 6 sights 3 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

3. Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6)–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 7 sights 1.4 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

4. Green Top–Wolf Knob, 6 summits 2.2 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

5. Little Bald Mountain–Mountains-to-Sea Viewpoint, 6 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 3:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:18 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car11:07 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 11:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.9 mi to the viewpoint · 2910 ft climb · 434 min of walking

6. Double Head–Cold Knob, 10 sights 0.8 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

7. Cold Knob–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 4 sights 1.2 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

8. Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7) & Three Humps Loop via Shut-In Trail 2.2 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

9. Mount Pisgah–Mills River Valley Overlook (MP 404.5), 7 sights 4 mi away

   Leave by 6:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:55 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

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

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 450 ft climb · 99 min of walking

10. Mountains-to-Sea Viewpoint–Mills River Valley Overlook (MP 404.5), 8 sights 4 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

11. The Lagoon 6.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:43 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Head back8:09 PM
    4. At your car8:59 PM
    5. Dark8:20 PM

    Back at your car by 8:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 101 min of walking

12. Bass Pond 7.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:11 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Head back8:09 PM
    4. At your car9:30 PM
    5. Dark8:19 PM

    Back at your car by 9:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 300 ft climb · 164 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint