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. 6 mile trail loop 0 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

2. Aptos Creek Road–Big Stump Gap Trail, 5 sights 0.1 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

3. Maple Falls–Aptos Rancho Viewpoint, 8 sights 0.1 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

4. Sand Point Overlook–Big Slide Trail, 5 sights 0.1 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

5. Aptos Creek Fire Road & Trout Gulch Trail 1.5 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

6. Land of Medicine Buddha–3 mile trail loop, 4 sights 1.6 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. Deer Valley Road & Rusk Grade 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:47 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:34 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:34 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 11 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

8. Olive Springs–Sand Point Overlook, 5 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car9:20 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 9:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 860 ft climb · 128 min of walking

9. Five Finger Falls–Olive Springs, 6 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car9:21 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

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

   2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 880 ft climb · 130 min of walking

10. Lone Tree Prairie–Olive Springs, 6 sights 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:34 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
    2. Sunset8:13 PM
    3. Head back8:28 PM
    4. At your car9:21 PM
    5. Dark8:42 PM

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

    2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 910 ft climb · 132 min of walking

11. Santa Rosalia Mountain–Olive Springs, 6 sights 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:35 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
    2. Sunset8:13 PM
    3. Head back8:28 PM
    4. At your car9:21 PM
    5. Dark8:42 PM

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

    2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 890 ft climb · 131 min of walking

12. Aptos Creek Road 0.2 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