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. Amaya Creek Road & Olive Springs Quarry Road 0 mi away

   Leave by 7:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:27 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:38 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 8:38 PM — 4 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 540 ft climb · 35 min of walking

2. Five Finger Falls–Olive Springs, 6 sights 0.4 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

3. Lone Tree Prairie–Olive Springs, 6 sights 0.4 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

4. Santa Rosalia Mountain–Olive Springs, 6 sights 0.4 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

5. Olive Springs–Sand Point Overlook, 5 sights 0.4 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

6. Aptos Creek Road–Big Stump Gap Trail, 5 sights 1.3 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

7. Maple Falls–Aptos Rancho Viewpoint, 8 sights 1.3 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

8. Sand Point Overlook–Big Slide Trail, 5 sights 1.3 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

9. Land of Medicine Buddha–3 mile trail loop, 4 sights 1.9 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

10. 6 mile trail loop 1.9 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

11. Santa Rosalia Viewpoint–Sand Point Overlook, 7 sights 2.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
    2. Sunset8:13 PM
    3. Head back8:28 PM
    4. At your car9:53 PM
    5. Dark8:41 PM

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

    3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 420 ft climb · 171 min of walking

12. Aptos Creek Fire Road & Trout Gulch Trail 2.8 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