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. Mills River Valley Overlook (MP 404.5)–Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6), 8 sights 1.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:23 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 — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 22 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

2. Buck Spring Viewpoint–Hendersonville Reservoir, 6 sights 3 mi away

   Be there by 7:36 PM

   1. Be there7:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Dark8:22 PM

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

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

3. Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6)–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 7 sights 1.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:19 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

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

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 20 min of walking

4. Green Top–Wolf Knob, 6 summits 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:56 PM
   3. Head back8:11 PM
   4. At your car8:19 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

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

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

5. Cold Knob–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 4 sights 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:24 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 360 ft climb · 39 min of walking

6. Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7) & Three Humps Loop via Shut-In Trail 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:24 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 370 ft climb · 39 min of walking

7. Mountains-to-Sea Trail 9.4 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

8. Farm Trail 7.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:17 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 36 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

9. Biltmore Estate Path 7.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:05 PM
   2. Sunset7:55 PM
   3. Head back8:10 PM
   4. At your car8:35 PM
   5. Dark8:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 170 ft climb · 55 min of walking

10. Rich Mountain 13.7 mi away

    Leave by 7:29 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:29 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Head back8:09 PM
    4. At your car8:12 PM
    5. Dark8:20 PM

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

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 8 min of walking

11. Craven Gap & Folk Art Center via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 13.8 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. Beaver Lake via Perimeter Trail 12.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:51 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
    2. Sunset7:55 PM
    3. Head back8:10 PM
    4. At your car8:55 PM
    5. Dark8:21 PM

    Back at your car by 8:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 89 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

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