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. Green Mountain Trail 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:13 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

2. Buckeye Gap Trail via Lickstone Ridge Road 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:13 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

3. Cold Mountain–Grassy Cove Top, 7 sights 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:27 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 25 min of walking

4. Black Balsam Knob–Black Balsam Summit Viewpoint Loop, 4 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:19 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:19 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 23 min of walking

5. Rough Butt Bald Overlook (MP 425.4)–Buckeye Gap Trail Loop, 3 sights 4.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:13 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walking

6. View Devils Courthouse (MP 422.4)–Devils Courthouse Trail, 3 sights 5 mi away

   Leave by 7:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:13 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

7. Mount Hardy & Mt Hardy Trail via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 5.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:13 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

8. Mountains-to-Sea Trail 5.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark8:22 PM

   Back at your car by 8:13 PM — 9 min before dark.

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

9. Richland Balsam Nature Trail 6.5 mi away

   Be there by 7:36 PM

   1. Be there7:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:57 PM
   3. Dark8:22 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:22 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Bald Knob & Pinhook Gap 8.6 mi away

    Leave by 7:24 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:24 PM
    2. Sunset7:56 PM
    3. Head back8:11 PM
    4. At your car8:20 PM
    5. Dark8:22 PM

    Back at your car by 8:20 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

11. Wolf Mountain Road 9.4 mi away

    Leave by 7:28 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:28 PM
    2. Sunset7:56 PM
    3. Head back8:11 PM
    4. At your car8:15 PM
    5. Dark8:22 PM

    Back at your car by 8:15 PM — 7 min before dark.

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

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

    Leave by 6:58 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:58 PM
    2. Sunset7:56 PM
    3. Head back8:11 PM
    4. At your car8:44 PM
    5. Dark8:22 PM

    Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

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