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. Prospect Rock–West Pond, 4 sights 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Head back7:37 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:50 PM

   Back at your car by 7:47 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 21 min of walking

2. Appalachian National Scenic Trail Viewpoint 1.4 mi away

   Be there by 7:02 PM

   1. Be there7:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Dark7:50 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:50 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

3. West Valley Trail 1.7 mi away

   Be there by 7:02 PM

   1. Be there7:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Dark7:50 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:50 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

4. Appalachian Trail;Highlands Trail 2 mi away

   Be there by 7:02 PM

   1. Be there7:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Dark7:50 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:50 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. Bare Rock Trail & West Valley Trail 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Head back7:37 PM
   4. At your car8:05 PM
   5. Dark7:50 PM

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

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 500 ft climb · 71 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

6. Appalachian Trail;Highlands Trail & Doris Duke Trail 2.8 mi away

   Be there by 7:02 PM

   1. Be there7:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Dark7:50 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:50 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Mombasha Lake–Appalachian Trail, 3 sights 2.9 mi away

   Be there by 7:02 PM

   1. Be there7:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Dark7:50 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:50 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. McKeags Meadow Connector–McKeags Meadow Trail, 6 sights 3 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Head back7:37 PM
   4. At your car8:17 PM
   5. Dark7:50 PM

   Back at your car by 8:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 530 ft climb · 95 min of walking

9. Hickory Hollow Road & Radio Road 5.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:22 PM
   3. Head back7:37 PM
   4. At your car8:36 PM
   5. Dark7:50 PM

   Back at your car by 8:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 690 ft climb · 134 min of walking

10. Townsend Trail / Wildcat Mountain Trail & Wildcat Mountain Trail 6.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:10 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
    2. Sunset7:22 PM
    3. Head back7:37 PM
    4. At your car8:11 PM
    5. Dark7:50 PM

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

    1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 610 ft climb · 86 min of walking

11. Appalachian Trail Connector–Furnace Loop, 6 sights 5.7 mi away

    Leave by 5:18 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:18 PM
    2. Sunset7:21 PM
    3. Head back7:36 PM
    4. At your car9:08 PM
    5. Dark7:50 PM

    Back at your car by 9:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 850 ft climb · 195 min of walking

12. Radio Road–Townsend Trail / Wildcat Mountain Trail, 3 sights 5.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
    2. Sunset7:22 PM
    3. Head back7:37 PM
    4. At your car8:15 PM
    5. Dark7:50 PM

    Back at your car by 8:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.5 mi to the viewpoint · 550 ft climb · 92 min of walking