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.

6 of 12 spots

Cold Mountain–Grassy Cove Top, 7 sights 3.2 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
Best color fades by ~

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

0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 25 min of walking
Black Balsam Knob–Black Balsam Summit Viewpoint Loop, 6 sights 3.4 mi away

Leave by 7:19 PM
1. Leave trailhead7:19 PM
2. Sunset7:55 PM
3. Head back8:10 PM
4. At your car8:19 PM
5. Dark8:21 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 8:19 PM — 1 min before dark.

0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 230 ft climb · 25 min of walking
Mount Pisgah–Buck Spring Trail, 3 sights 5.8 mi away

Leave by 7:23 PM
1. Leave trailhead7:23 PM
2. Sunset7:54 PM
3. Head back8:09 PM
4. At your car8:20 PM
5. Dark8:20 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 8:20 PM — 0 min before dark.

0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 23 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint
Mills River Valley Overlook (MP 404.5)–Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6), 8 sights 5.9 mi away

Leave by 7:21 PM
1. Leave trailhead7:21 PM
2. Sunset7:54 PM
3. Head back8:09 PM
4. At your car8:18 PM
5. Dark8:20 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 8:18 PM — 2 min before dark.

0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 22 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint
View Devils Courthouse (MP 422.4)–Devils Courthouse Trail, 3 sights 6.7 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
Best color fades by ~

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
Little Bald Mountain–Buck Spring Viewpoint, 3 summits 5.7 mi away

Be there by 7:34 PM
1. Be there7:34 PM
2. Sunset7:54 PM
3. Dark8:20 PM
Best color fades by ~

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

The viewpoint is right at the trailhead
Green Mountain Trail 7.6 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
Best color fades by ~

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
Buckeye Gap Trail via Lickstone Ridge Road 8.2 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
Best color fades by ~

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
Mount Hardy & Mt Hardy Trail via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 8.4 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
Best color fades by ~

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
Bald Knob & Pinhook Gap 10.2 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
Best color fades by ~

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
Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6)–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 7 sights 9.5 mi away

Leave by 7:23 PM
1. Leave trailhead7:23 PM
2. Sunset7:54 PM
3. Head back8:09 PM
4. At your car8:18 PM
5. Dark8:20 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 8:18 PM — 2 min before dark.

0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 20 min of walking
Green Top–Wolf Knob, 6 summits 9.5 mi away

Leave by 7:23 PM
1. Leave trailhead7:23 PM
2. Sunset7:54 PM
3. Head back8:09 PM
4. At your car8:17 PM
5. Dark8:20 PM
Best color fades by ~

Back at your car by 8:17 PM — 3 min before dark.

0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 19 min of walking

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Sunset hikes

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