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 0.9 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. Little Bearwallow Mountain & Fire Tower Road via Wildcat Rock Trail 1.1 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

3. Crystal Falls Drive 1.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:30 PM

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

4. Bearwallow Mountain Trail–Fire Tower Road, 3 sights 1.9 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

5. Bearwallow Gap–Bearwallow Mountain Trail, 3 sights 2.1 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

6. Blue Ridge Pastures & Strawberry Gap Viewpoint via Strawberry Gap Trail 2.6 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

7. Tom and Glenna Rock Overlook–Rattlesnake Knob Observation Point, 3 viewpoints 0.8 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 0.8 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. Shumont Mountain–Rumbling Bald Ridgeline, 3 sights 6.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:52 PM
   3. Head back8:07 PM
   4. At your car8:21 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

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

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 330 ft climb · 38 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Eagle Rock–Shumont Mountain, 5 sights 6.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:43 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
    2. Sunset7:52 PM
    3. Head back8:07 PM
    4. At your car8:42 PM
    5. Dark8:18 PM

    Back at your car by 8:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 650 ft climb · 84 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

11. High Windy & Carolina Loop 6.6 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 6.7 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