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. Fern Flat Road–Haines Ranch Road, 3 sights 0.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:39 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:39 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:39 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 24 min of walking

2. Fern Flat Road–Haines Ranch Road, 3 sights 0.5 mi away

   Be there by 7:53 PM

   1. Be there7:53 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Dark8:41 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:41 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

3. Aptos Creek Fire Road & Trout Gulch Trail 2 mi away

   Leave by 7:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:49 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:30 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:30 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 6 min of walking

4. Buzzard Lagoon Spur 2.6 mi away

   Be there by 7:52 PM

   1. Be there7:52 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Dark8:41 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:41 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

5. Cusack's Trail 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:36 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:43 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

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

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 32 min of walking

6. Aptos Creek Road 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:44 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:36 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:36 PM — 5 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 17 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

7. The Advocate Tree–Aptos Rancho Viewpoint, 6 sights 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:51 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:30 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:30 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

8. Maymens Flat Road 4.4 mi away

   Leave by 7:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:34 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:54 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 45 min of walking

9. Fire Road SA31 4.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:52 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:29 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:29 PM — 13 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Maymens Flat 4.9 mi away

    Leave by 7:51 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:51 PM
    2. Sunset8:13 PM
    3. Head back8:28 PM
    4. At your car8:31 PM
    5. Dark8:41 PM

    Back at your car by 8:31 PM — 10 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

11. Amaya Creek Road & Olive Springs Quarry Road 5.5 mi away

    Leave by 7:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:27 PM
    2. Sunset8:13 PM
    3. Head back8:28 PM
    4. At your car8:38 PM
    5. Dark8:42 PM

    Back at your car by 8:38 PM — 4 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 540 ft climb · 35 min of walking

12. Loma Prieta–Cathermola Road, 3 sights 6.2 mi away

    Be there by 7:53 PM

    1. Be there7:53 PM
    2. Sunset8:13 PM
    3. Dark8:42 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 8:42 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

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