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. Maple Falls–Aptos Rancho Viewpoint, 8 sights 0 mi away

   Leave by 5:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:43 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car10:18 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 10:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.2 mi to the viewpoint · 900 ft climb · 239 min of walking

2. 6 mile trail loop 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car9:46 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 9:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 830 ft climb · 176 min of walking

3. Aptos Creek Road–Big Stump Gap Trail, 5 sights 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:28 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car10:52 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 10:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 760 ft climb · 289 min of walking

4. Olive Springs–Big Stump Gap Trail, 3 sights 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car9:29 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

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

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 730 ft climb · 142 min of walking

5. Sand Point Overlook–Big Slide Trail, 5 sights 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car9:45 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 9:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 720 ft climb · 171 min of walking

6. Land of Medicine Buddha–3 mile trail loop, 4 sights 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car9:28 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 9:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 830 ft climb · 144 min of walking

7. Aptos Creek Fire Road & Trout Gulch Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:49 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:30 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:30 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 6 min of walking

8. Deer Valley Road & Rusk Grade 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:24 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:44 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 420 ft climb · 45 min of walking

9. Aptos Creek Road 1 mi away

   Leave by 7:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:44 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:36 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:36 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 17 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. The Advocate Tree–Aptos Rancho Viewpoint, 6 sights 0.4 mi away

    Leave by 7:51 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:51 PM
    2. Sunset8:13 PM
    3. Head back8:28 PM
    4. At your car8:30 PM
    5. Dark8:41 PM

    Back at your car by 8:30 PM — 12 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

11. Vienna Woods Trail 0.7 mi away

    Leave by 7:19 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:19 PM
    2. Sunset8:13 PM
    3. Head back8:28 PM
    4. At your car8:54 PM
    5. Dark8:41 PM

    Back at your car by 8:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 310 ft climb · 61 min of walking

12. Fern Flat Road–Haines Ranch Road, 3 sights 4.5 mi away

    Leave by 7:39 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:39 PM
    2. Sunset8:13 PM
    3. Head back8:28 PM
    4. At your car8:39 PM
    5. Dark8:41 PM

    Back at your car by 8:39 PM — 3 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 24 min of walking