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 2.9 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. Green Top–Wolf Knob, 6 summits 1.5 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

3. Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6)–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 7 sights 2.8 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. Double Head–Cold Knob, 10 sights 0.4 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

5. Cold Knob–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 4 sights 2.5 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

6. Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7) & Three Humps Loop via Shut-In Trail 3.2 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

7. Mount Pisgah–Mills River Valley Overlook (MP 404.5), 7 sights 4.9 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

8. Mountains-to-Sea Viewpoint–Mills River Valley Overlook (MP 404.5), 8 sights 4.9 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

9. The Lagoon–Bass Pond, 3 lakes 6.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car10:05 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 10:05 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.3 mi to the viewpoint · 440 ft climb · 234 min of walking

10. Bass Pond 6.2 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

11. Farm Trail 6.4 mi away

    Leave by 7:16 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:16 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Head back8:09 PM
    4. At your car8:27 PM
    5. Dark8:20 PM

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

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 36 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

12. Biltmore Estate Path 5.9 mi away

    Leave by 7:04 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:04 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Head back8:09 PM
    4. At your car8:33 PM
    5. Dark8:19 PM

    Back at your car by 8:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 170 ft climb · 55 min of walking