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. Gay Pond 0 mi away

   Leave by 7:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:31 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:30 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:30 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 23 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. Orange Trail 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:39 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:23 PM
   5. Dark8:34 PM

   Back at your car by 8:23 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. Ledyard Center Multi Use Path 6.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:35 PM
   2. Sunset8:03 PM
   3. Head back8:18 PM
   4. At your car8:26 PM
   5. Dark8:34 PM

   Back at your car by 8:26 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 16 min of walking

4. White, 4' diameter 4 mi away

   Leave by 7:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:14 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:48 PM
   5. Dark8:34 PM

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

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 60 min of walking

5. Morgan Pond Reservoir & Arrowhead Pond 6.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:16 PM
   2. Sunset8:03 PM
   3. Head back8:18 PM
   4. At your car8:46 PM
   5. Dark8:34 PM

   Back at your car by 8:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 55 min of walking

6. Bear Hill 9.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:29 PM
   2. Sunset8:04 PM
   3. Head back8:19 PM
   4. At your car8:37 PM
   5. Dark8:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 33 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

7. Vinegar Hill–Dinosaur Tracks, 3 sights 7.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:38 PM
   2. Sunset8:03 PM
   3. Head back8:18 PM
   4. At your car8:24 PM
   5. Dark8:34 PM

   Back at your car by 8:24 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 12 min of walking

8. Ledyard Oak Site & Blue 7.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:44 PM
   2. Sunset8:03 PM
   3. Head back8:18 PM
   4. At your car9:14 PM
   5. Dark8:34 PM

   Back at your car by 9:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.2 mi to the viewpoint · 200 ft climb · 115 min of walking

9. Dinosaur Tracks & Ledyard Oak Site 7.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:54 PM
   2. Sunset8:03 PM
   3. Head back8:18 PM
   4. At your car9:04 PM
   5. Dark8:34 PM

   Back at your car by 9:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 220 ft climb · 95 min of walking

10. Red Cedar Lake 13.1 mi away

    Leave by 7:15 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:15 PM
    2. Sunset8:04 PM
    3. Head back8:19 PM
    4. At your car8:47 PM
    5. Dark8:35 PM

    Back at your car by 8:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 57 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. Bluff Point–Bluff Point State Park Beach, 4 beaches 13.4 mi away

    Leave by 7:40 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:40 PM
    2. Sunset8:03 PM
    3. Head back8:18 PM
    4. At your car8:22 PM
    5. Dark8:34 PM

    Back at your car by 8:22 PM — 12 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walking

12. Mortimer Wright Nature Preserve & Gibson Pond via Groton X-Town Trail 13.4 mi away

    Leave by 7:40 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:40 PM
    2. Sunset8:03 PM
    3. Head back8:18 PM
    4. At your car8:21 PM
    5. Dark8:34 PM

    Back at your car by 8:21 PM — 13 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walking