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 2.5 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

   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

2. Green Top–Wolf Knob, 6 summits 1.3 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

   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

3. Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6)–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 7 sights 2.5 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

   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

4. Cold Knob–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 4 sights 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:23 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

5. Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7) & Three Humps Loop via Shut-In Trail 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:23 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

6. Farm Trail 6.7 mi away

   Leave by 7:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:16 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:27 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

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

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

7. Biltmore Estate Path 6.3 mi away

   Leave by 7:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:04 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:33 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Buck Spring Viewpoint–Hendersonville Reservoir, 6 sights 4.3 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

9. Mountains-to-Sea Trail 8.7 mi away

   Be there by 7:33 PM

   1. Be there7:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Dark8:19 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:19 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Richmond Hill Trails 9.9 mi away

    Leave by 7:06 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:06 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Head back8:09 PM
    4. At your car8:38 PM
    5. Dark8:20 PM

    Back at your car by 8:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 57 min of walking

11. Goldview Knob–Appalachian Village Sunset Point, 3 summits 12.7 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

12. Craven Gap & Folk Art Center via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 12.8 mi away

    Be there by 7:33 PM

    1. Be there7:33 PM
    2. Sunset7:53 PM
    3. Dark8:19 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:19 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

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