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. Woodys Knob & Firetower Road 9.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:51 PM
   3. Head back8:06 PM
   4. At your car8:19 PM
   5. Dark8:17 PM

   Back at your car by 8:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 260 ft climb · 35 min of walking

2. Commissary Hill & Mount Mitchell Trail 11.6 mi away

   Be there by 7:31 PM

   1. Be there7:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:51 PM
   3. Dark8:17 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:17 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

3. Gully Pipe–Olson, 3 sights 12.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:30 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:30 PM
   2. Sunset7:50 PM
   3. Head back8:05 PM
   4. At your car8:34 PM
   5. Dark8:16 PM

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

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 1000 ft climb · 90 min of walking

4. Maple Camp Bald–Picnic, 4 sights 12.9 mi away

   Be there by 7:31 PM

   1. Be there7:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:51 PM
   3. Dark8:17 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:17 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. Picnic & Old Mitchell Trail via Black Mountain Crest 13.8 mi away

   Be there by 7:31 PM

   1. Be there7:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:51 PM
   3. Dark8:17 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:17 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Lake James–Boat beach Loop, 3 beaches 12.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:50 PM
   3. Head back8:05 PM
   4. At your car8:13 PM
   5. Dark8:16 PM

   Back at your car by 8:13 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 16 min of walking

7. Old Mitchell Trail 13.8 mi away

   Be there by 7:31 PM

   1. Be there7:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:51 PM
   3. Dark8:17 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:17 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Camp Alice Trail via Buncombe Horse Range Trail 14 mi away

   Be there by 7:31 PM

   1. Be there7:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:51 PM
   3. Dark8:17 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:17 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Ogle Gap via Wilson Boundary Road 14.1 mi away

   Be there by 7:31 PM

   1. Be there7:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:51 PM
   3. Dark8:17 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:17 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Wilson Boundary Road 14.9 mi away

    Be there by 7:31 PM

    1. Be there7:31 PM
    2. Sunset7:51 PM
    3. Dark8:17 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:17 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Walker Knob Overlook (MP 359.8)–Mountains-to-Sea Trail, 3 sights 14.9 mi away

    Be there by 7:31 PM

    1. Be there7:31 PM
    2. Sunset7:51 PM
    3. Dark8:17 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:17 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Rich Cove Road Loop 15.7 mi away

    Be there by 7:30 PM

    1. Be there7:30 PM
    2. Sunset7:50 PM
    3. Dark8:16 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:16 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

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