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. Saffin Pond–Blue Heron Lake, 6 sights 1 mi away

   Leave by 5:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:23 PM
   3. Head back7:38 PM
   4. At your car9:29 PM
   5. Dark7:51 PM

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

   4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 470 ft climb · 223 min of walking

2. Waldon Road & Yellow Trail 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:23 PM
   3. Head back7:38 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark7:51 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 71 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. Highlands Spur Trail 1.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:23 PM
   3. Head back7:38 PM
   4. At your car7:49 PM
   5. Dark7:51 PM

   Back at your car by 7:49 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 26 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

4. Compton- Gobel Road–Compton-Gobel Road, 3 sights 1.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:23 PM
   3. Head back7:38 PM
   4. At your car8:02 PM
   5. Dark7:51 PM

   Back at your car by 8:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 390 ft climb · 59 min of walking

5. Beaver Brook Trail (White) & Waldon Road 2 mi away

   Leave by 5:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:23 PM
   3. Head back7:38 PM
   4. At your car9:10 PM
   5. Dark7:51 PM

   Back at your car by 9:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.3 mi to the viewpoint · 610 ft climb · 191 min of walking

6. Longwood Lake & Beaver Brook Trail (White) 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:23 PM
   3. Head back7:38 PM
   4. At your car8:48 PM
   5. Dark7:51 PM

   Back at your car by 8:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 780 ft climb · 152 min of walking

7. Lake Shawnee via Compton-Gobel Road 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
   2. Sunset7:23 PM
   3. Head back7:38 PM
   4. At your car8:20 PM
   5. Dark7:51 PM

   Back at your car by 8:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 250 ft climb · 90 min of walking

8. Waldon Road Loop 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:23 PM
   3. Head back7:38 PM
   4. At your car8:11 PM
   5. Dark7:51 PM

   Back at your car by 8:11 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 69 min of walking

9. Blue Trail & Yellow/Highlands Trail Loop 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:23 PM
   3. Head back7:38 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark7:51 PM

   Back at your car by 8:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 170 ft climb · 70 min of walking

10. CLOSED HT (No Access)–Highlands Trail, 4 sights 4.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:30 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
    2. Sunset7:23 PM
    3. Head back7:38 PM
    4. At your car8:05 PM
    5. Dark7:51 PM

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

    1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 260 ft climb · 59 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

11. Lake Telemark–Beach Glen Trail (Blue), 9 sights 5.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:02 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:02 PM
    2. Sunset7:22 PM
    3. Head back7:37 PM
    4. At your car8:32 PM
    5. Dark7:50 PM

    Back at your car by 8:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 320 ft climb · 115 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

12. Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area Viewpoint–Lake Ames, 8 sights 5.8 mi away

    Leave by 5:14 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:14 PM
    2. Sunset7:23 PM
    3. Head back7:38 PM
    4. At your car9:18 PM
    5. Dark7:51 PM

    Back at your car by 9:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 600 ft climb · 209 min of walking