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), 6 viewpoints 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 3:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:52 PM
   3. Head back8:07 PM
   4. At your car11:26 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 11:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.9 mi to the viewpoint · 1930 ft climb · 424 min of walking

2. Green Top–Wolf Knob, 6 summits 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:16 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:16 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), 5 viewpoints 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 3:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:54 PM
   2. Sunset7:52 PM
   3. Head back8:07 PM
   4. At your car11:22 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 11:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1780 ft climb · 414 min of walking

4. Double Head–Cold Knob, 10 sights 2 mi away

   Leave by 5:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:52 PM
   3. Head back8:07 PM
   4. At your car9:21 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 9:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

5. Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7)–Lake Powhatan, 7 sights 0 mi away

   Leave by 3:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:52 PM
   3. Head back8:07 PM
   4. At your car10:48 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 10:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1930 ft climb · 374 min of walking

6. Cold Knob–479H, 7 sights 2 mi away

   Leave by 5:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:52 PM
   3. Head back8:07 PM
   4. At your car9:24 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 9:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.9 mi to the viewpoint · 1650 ft climb · 197 min of walking

7. The Lagoon–Bass Pond, 3 lakes 4.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:52 PM
   3. Head back8:07 PM
   4. At your car10:04 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 10:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Bass Pond 4.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:52 PM
   3. Head back8:07 PM
   4. At your car9:29 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 9:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

9. Mount Pisgah–Mills River Valley Overlook (MP 404.5), 7 sights 6.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:54 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 8:54 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 6.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:41 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
    2. Sunset7:53 PM
    3. Head back8:08 PM
    4. At your car8:53 PM
    5. Dark8:18 PM

    Back at your car by 8:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 430 ft climb · 97 min of walking

11. Mountains-to-Sea Trail 6.7 mi away

    Be there by 7:32 PM

    1. Be there7:32 PM
    2. Sunset7:52 PM
    3. Dark8:18 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:18 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Farm Trail 4.8 mi away

    Leave by 7:14 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:14 PM
    2. Sunset7:52 PM
    3. Head back8:07 PM
    4. At your car8:25 PM
    5. Dark8:18 PM

    Back at your car by 8:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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