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. Middletown Overlook–Black Locust, 7 sights 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 4:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:49 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car9:19 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 9:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.3 mi to the viewpoint · 520 ft climb · 235 min of walking

2. Fishing Creek Reservoir–Albatross, 11 sights 1 mi away

   Leave by 5:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car8:05 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:05 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 330 ft climb · 91 min of walking

3. Frederick Overlook –Middletown Overlook, 5 sights 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car7:58 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 63 min of walking

4. Kubla Khan & Powerline Trail via Yellow Poplar 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car7:27 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:27 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walking

5. Bootjack Spring–Catoctin Trail, 5 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car8:08 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 830 ft climb · 112 min of walking

6. High Knob–Middletown Overlook Loop, 6 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car7:27 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:27 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walking

7. North Frederick Viewpoint–Yellow Poplar Trail Loop, 3 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Black Locust–Blue Balls, 4 sights 1 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 24 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

9. Monument Knob–Appalachian National Scenic Viewpoint, 4 sights 6.7 mi away

   Leave by 3:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car10:57 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 10:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   7.5 mi to the viewpoint · 1530 ft climb · 442 min of walking

10. Appalachian National Scenic Trail 6.9 mi away

    Be there by 6:49 PM

    1. Be there6:49 PM
    2. Sunset7:09 PM
    3. Dark7:36 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:36 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Black Locust & White Oak Trail 4.8 mi away

    Leave by 6:28 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
    2. Sunset7:09 PM
    3. Head back7:24 PM
    4. At your car7:38 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 230 ft climb · 35 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

12. Old Road 6.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:47 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:47 PM
    2. Sunset7:09 PM
    3. Head back7:24 PM
    4. At your car7:26 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 10 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walking