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. View Devils Courthouse (MP 422.4)–Devils Courthouse Trail, 3 sights 4.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. Bald Knob & Pinhook Gap 6.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:19 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:19 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 21 min of walking

3. Mount Hardy & Mt Hardy Trail via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 6.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

4. Green Mountain Trail 6.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

5. Cold Mountain–Grassy Cove Top, 7 sights 4.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:25 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:26 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 25 min of walking

6. Buckeye Gap Trail via Lickstone Ridge Road 7.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

7. Wolf Mountain Road 8.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:14 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:14 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 13 min of walking

8. Mount Pisgah & Mount Pisgah Trail 10 mi away

   Leave by 7:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:41 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 260 ft climb · 65 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Mills River Valley Overlook (MP 404.5)–Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6), 4 sights 10 mi away

   Leave by 6:57 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:42 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 280 ft climb · 71 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Little Bald Mountain–Buck Spring Viewpoint, 3 summits 10.2 mi away

    Be there by 7:34 PM

    1. Be there7:34 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Dark8:20 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:20 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Richland Balsam Nature Trail 12.1 mi away

    Be there by 7:35 PM

    1. Be there7:35 PM
    2. Sunset7:55 PM
    3. Dark8:21 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:21 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Farmhouse Trail–Rocky Ridge Trail, 3 sights 17.2 mi away

    Leave by 7:31 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:31 PM
    2. Sunset7:53 PM
    3. Head back8:08 PM
    4. At your car8:10 PM
    5. Dark8:19 PM

    Back at your car by 8:10 PM — 9 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

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