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. The Lagoon–Bass Pond, 3 lakes 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car10:07 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 10:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

2. Bass Pond 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:13 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car9:32 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 9:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

3. Mountains-to-Sea Trail 2.9 mi away

   Be there by 7:35 PM

   1. Be there7:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Dark8:21 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:21 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

4. Farm Trail 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:17 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

5. Biltmore Estate Path 0 mi away

   Leave by 7:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:05 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:35 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

6. Tanbark Ridge Overlook (MP 376.7) via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 6.5 mi away

   Leave by 4:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:50 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car10:29 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 10:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.2 mi to the viewpoint · 1320 ft climb · 304 min of walking

7. Bull Gap via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 6.5 mi away

   Leave by 4:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:50 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car10:28 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 10:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.2 mi to the viewpoint · 1310 ft climb · 302 min of walking

8. Craven Gap & Folk Art Center via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 6.5 mi away

   Be there by 7:35 PM

   1. Be there7:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Dark8:21 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:21 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Green Top–Wolf Knob, 6 summits 5.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:19 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:19 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 19 min of walking

10. Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6)–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 5 viewpoints 6.7 mi away

    Leave by 3:57 PM

    1. Leave trailhead3:57 PM
    2. Sunset7:55 PM
    3. Head back8:10 PM
    4. At your car11:25 PM
    5. Dark8:21 PM

    Back at your car by 11:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

11. Double Head–Cold Knob, 10 sights 6.3 mi away

    Leave by 5:37 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:37 PM
    2. Sunset7:55 PM
    3. Head back8:10 PM
    4. At your car9:24 PM
    5. Dark8:21 PM

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

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

12. Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7)–Lake Powhatan, 7 sights 4.3 mi away

    Leave by 4:02 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:02 PM
    2. Sunset7:55 PM
    3. Head back8:10 PM
    4. At your car10:51 PM
    5. Dark8:21 PM

    Back at your car by 10:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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