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. Lookout Mountain–Lookout Trail, 3 sights 1 mi away

   Leave by 6:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:33 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

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

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 610 ft climb · 67 min of walking

2. Rattlesnake Trail–Rhododendron Ridge Trail, 3 sights 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:50 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:34 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 630 ft climb · 69 min of walking

3. Rattlesnake Trail & Rhododendron Ridge Trail 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:27 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

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

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 530 ft climb · 51 min of walking

4. Boggs Bunion–Crestridge Lake, 3 summits 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:00 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 510 ft climb · 53 min of walking

5. Rattlesnake Mountain via Rattlesnake Trail 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:50 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:34 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 630 ft climb · 69 min of walking

6. Shelter View–Rainbow Gap, 4 sights 0.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:52 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:43 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 440 ft climb · 76 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

7. Rainbow Gap–Lookout Trail, 4 sights 0.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:49 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:32 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 810 ft climb · 68 min of walking

8. Rainbow Mountain Trail via Old Mitchell Toll Road 1 mi away

   Leave by 6:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:54 PM
   3. Head back8:09 PM
   4. At your car8:47 PM
   5. Dark8:20 PM

   Back at your car by 8:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 420 ft climb · 89 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

9. Camp Alice Trail via Buncombe Horse Range Trail 5.2 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

10. Wilson Boundary Road 5.5 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. Walker Knob Overlook (MP 359.8)–Mountains-to-Sea Trail, 3 sights 5.5 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. Trail 5.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:39 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
    2. Sunset7:54 PM
    3. Head back8:09 PM
    4. At your car8:26 PM
    5. Dark8:20 PM

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

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 1270 ft climb · 72 min of walking

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