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. Wildcat Rock Overlook–Bearwallow Gap, 4 sights 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:46 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 770 ft climb · 98 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

2. Bearwallow Gap–Bearwallow Mountain Trail, 3 sights 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:50 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 540 ft climb · 93 min of walking

3. Blue Ridge Pastures & Strawberry Gap Viewpoint via Strawberry Gap Trail 0 mi away

   Leave by 7:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:11 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:11 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walking

4. Little Bearwallow Mountain & Fire Tower Road via Wildcat Rock Trail 0.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 10 min of walking

5. Bearwallow Mountain Trail–Fire Tower Road, 3 sights 0.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:10 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:10 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 5 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

6. Crystal Falls Drive 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 7:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:09 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:09 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

7. Tom and Glenna Rock Overlook–Rattlesnake Knob Observation Point, 3 viewpoints 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:23 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

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

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 230 ft climb · 37 min of walking

8. Rattlesnake Knob Observation Point & Orange Viewpoint via Orange Spur Trail 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:21 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 27 min of walking

9. Rich Mountain 5.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:11 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:11 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 8 min of walking

10. Buzzard's Roost & Buzzard's Roost Trail 6 mi away

    Leave by 6:53 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:53 PM
    2. Sunset7:53 PM
    3. Head back8:08 PM
    4. At your car8:34 PM
    5. Dark8:19 PM

    Back at your car by 8:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 560 ft climb · 66 min of walking

11. High Windy & Carolina Loop 7.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:04 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:04 PM
    2. Sunset7:53 PM
    3. Head back8:08 PM
    4. At your car8:56 PM
    5. Dark8:19 PM

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

    2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1310 ft climb · 137 min of walking

12. High Windy via Carolina Loop 7.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
    2. Sunset7:53 PM
    3. Head back8:08 PM
    4. At your car8:54 PM
    5. Dark8:19 PM

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

    1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 1230 ft climb · 130 min of walking