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 0.9 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

2. Bass Pond 0.9 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

3. Farm Trail 0.5 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

4. Biltmore Estate Path 1.1 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

5. Mountains-to-Sea Trail 4.1 mi away

   Be there by 7:33 PM

   1. Be there7:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Dark8:19 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:19 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Craven Gap & Folk Art Center via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 6.7 mi away

   Be there by 7:33 PM

   1. Be there7:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Dark8:19 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:19 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Bull Gap via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 6.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car9:55 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 9:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1300 ft climb · 238 min of walking

8. Tanbark Ridge Overlook (MP 376.7) via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 6.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:22 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car9:53 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 9:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.9 mi to the viewpoint · 1250 ft climb · 236 min of walking

9. Beaver Lake via Perimeter Trail 6 mi away

   Leave by 6:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:49 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:53 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

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

   1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 89 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Green Top–Wolf Knob, 6 summits 5.5 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

11. Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6)–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 5 viewpoints 6.8 mi away

    Leave by 3:55 PM

    1. Leave trailhead3:55 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Head back8:09 PM
    4. At your car11:24 PM
    5. Dark8:20 PM

    Back at your car by 11:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

12. Double Head–Cold Knob, 10 sights 6.2 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