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. Picnic–Deep Gap, 4 sights 2.9 mi away

   Be there by 7:32 PM

   1. Be there7:32 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

2. Wilson Boundary Road 3.1 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

3. Commissary Hill & Mount Mitchell Trail 5.5 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

4. Old Mitchell Trail 5.9 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

5. Camp Alice Trail via Buncombe Horse Range Trail 6.2 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

6. Walker Knob Overlook (MP 359.8)–Mountains-to-Sea Trail, 3 sights 7.6 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

7. Woodys Knob & Firetower Road 7.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:52 PM
   3. Head back8:07 PM
   4. At your car8:21 PM
   5. Dark8:18 PM

   Back at your car by 8:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Big Butt & Big Butt Trail 8.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:18 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

   Back at your car by 8:18 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 350 ft climb · 31 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Elk Pen Trail–Laurel Gap Trail Loop, 6 sights 10.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:53 PM
   2. Sunset7:53 PM
   3. Head back8:08 PM
   4. At your car8:32 PM
   5. Dark8:19 PM

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

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 540 ft climb · 65 min of walking

10. Bear Pen Trail–Perkins Trail, 4 sights 10.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:52 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:52 PM
    2. Sunset7:53 PM
    3. Head back8:08 PM
    4. At your car8:32 PM
    5. Dark8:19 PM

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

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 550 ft climb · 65 min of walking

11. Craggy Dome–Graybeard Mountain View (MP 363.4), 4 sights 11.2 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

12. Graybeard Mountain View (MP 363.4)–Douglas Falls Trail, 3 sights 11.2 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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